Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: The Right Approach to Cat Training
• Part 2 of 2: Teaching Your Cat to Perform Tricks
• Tips

Like many other pets, cats can be trained to do some tricks. But since these animals tend to demonstrate their own independence, training cats requires perseverance. With patience and positive reinforcement, you can have an amazing time playing with your cat doing different tricks for you.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: The Right Approach to Cat Training

1. 1 Prepare a supply of cat treats. Cats for trick training need to be constantly rewarded with a tasty treat. Keep an impressive supply of small bites of your cat's favorite treat on hand when you go to train it. Treat your cat frequently during short sessions. You can also regularly apply new types of treats so that your cat does not lose interest. Some good treat options are:
   • chopped chicken pieces;
   • pieces of tuna;
   • ready-made commercial treats for cats;
   • small pieces of dry food.
2. 2 Get the cat's attention. The cat will not want to learn tricks if it is not in the mood. If you start by treating her with a treat, then this will probably get her attention. But if the cat is not interested in learning a particular trick, don't insist, just be patient and try it later.
3. 3 Use a clicker. A clicker is a small device that emits a clicking sound. Every time the cat does what you want her to do (for example, does a trick), click the clicker and give her a treat. The clicking sound and the positive reward of the treat (reward) will encourage the cat to repeat the behavior you want.
   • You can purchase a training clicker at a pet store.If you are unable to find the clicker, you can replace it with fountain pen clicks.
4. 4 Keep your cat sessions short but frequent. Cats learn from repetition, so regular lessons will help your pet learn the tricks. Try to repeat the tricks several times daily. Short lessons will allow the cat not to lose its own concentration, and she will willingly work.
5. 5 Repeat tricks while training your cat. When the cat is doing the trick, give it a treat. Then try to get the cat to repeat the trick 5-10 more times in a row (each time treating her with a treat), while she remains interested in it. These repetitions will reinforce the desired behavior.
6. 6 Do not enter voice commands until the cat has mastered the trick. For example, if you want your cat to sit down on command, do not enter the voice command “sit” until she gets used to performing the action itself. This will help the cat to make an associative connection between the word and the specific trick it performs.
7. 7 Teach your cat only one trick at a time. Positive reinforcement in the form of praise and treats during the training process helps the cat to master the behavior necessary for the trick. But, if you try to teach an animal more than one trick at once, the cat can get confused, since it will not understand what exactly it is being encouraged for. Wait for your cat to fully learn one trick before learning the next.
8. 8 Do not punish your cat for lack of learning success. When using rewards and positive reinforcement, the animal will learn much better than using punishment. Swearing and punishing your cat for not doing a trick will only cause her stress and loss of interest in working with you. If the cat is not interested in exercising or does not perform well the trick, just try to do the activity a little later. Take breaks so that the cat can wait for the next lesson.

Part 2 of 2: Teaching Your Cat to Perform Tricks

1. 1 Train your cat to sit on command. When the cat is on all four legs, bring a treat to its face to attract attention, and then slowly lift it and lead it behind the cat's ears. Many cats, in an effort to follow the movement of the treat, immediately lower the back of the body to the floor. When the cat sits down, reinforce the action with praise and treats.
   • Even if the first time the back of the cat's body does not completely fall to the floor, still give her the treat. Keep practicing the trick, and each time your cat will do it better and better.
2. 2 Train your cat to "high-five." First, encourage your cat to simply raise its paw, treating it when it lifts its front paw off the floor. Next, start hiding the treat in your hand (fist) and wait for the cat to use its paw to try to get the treat out of your hand. Give the treat as a reward as soon as the cat does so. Repeat the trick many times, gradually raising your hand with the treat higher and higher, until the cat's movements begin to look as if she is “high-five”, greeting you.
3. 3 Train your cat to come up to you when you call her. Try to practice this trick before feeding your cat when she is hungry. Say the cat's name and tap it with a bowl to get attention. When the cat approaches, praise it and treat it to a treat.
   • When the cat gets used to coming to your call, you can additionally enter the command "to me" when performing this trick.
   • You can complicate this trick a little by starting to call the cat at an increasingly distant distance, for example, from the street home, and so on.
4. 4 Train your cat to touch the object. You can teach your cat to touch a specific object, such as a toy or some sturdy surface that won't tip over. This trick is best learned when the cat knows the "sit" command.As soon as the cat sits next to the object of your choice, bring the treat close to it to get its attention. When the cat touches the object, give her the treat.
   • Once your cat is interested in this trick, you can train your pet to touch the object in a specific way. For example, if you want to teach an animal to touch an object with all the pads of its paws, wait for the cat to do exactly that, and then give the treat.
5. 5 Train your cat to serve while sitting on its hind legs. Hold the treat over your cat, but not close enough to touch it. When the cat sits on its hind legs and reaches for the treat with its front legs, use the command "serve" and give it the treat.
6. 6 Train your cat to greet by shaking hands. Sit in front of the cat and gently touch its paw. When the cat lifts its paw off the floor, hold it in your hand as if you were greeting the cat. Then give your cat a treat immediately.
7. 7 Train your cat to meow on command. Cats are capable of emitting a wide variety of meows (from simple meows and squeaks to rumbling and howling), most of which are designed to communicate with humans. If you wish, you can try to train the cat to meow or make another sound on command. Just treat her to a treat when she makes the sound you want. As soon as the cat has an associative connection between the sound and the treat, enter the voice command "meow" or something similar.

Tips

• Performing tricks is a great way to give your cat the exercise it needs. It is recommended to provide the animal with 20-60 minutes of activity per day.
• If your cat (or kitten) has a tendency to scratch and bite, learning tricks will help you play with your cat more safely.
• If you want to train your cat to jump on command, grab a toy or treat and hold it over the cat. Call the cat by name and give the command "barrier". The cat must jump for a treat or toy. After a few repetitions, try the trick without using any auxiliary objects. Refer to your cat by name to get attention. And then give the command "barrier".
• Don't expect your cat to learn tricks quickly. Be patient. And be persistent.
• Once your cat learns the trick, don't force her to repeat it too often.
• Be sure to reward your cat with your attention after class, she needs such a reward for her hard work.