Training Your Cat

When we think about pet obedience training, cats usually aren't the first animal that comes to mind.

We typically associate cats with descriptions like independent, aloof and laid back – they seem to do what they want and when they feel like it.

You may not feel that these regal creatures are the ideal training material!

However, more and more people receiving a lot of pleasure and rewards from teaching their cats basic and even advanced obedience training and tricks. This can include sit and stay as well as come and jumping through hoops.
And they're convinced that their cats enjoy it, too!

The Advantages of Training Your Cat

Although cats typically lead solitary, individual lives doesn't necessarily mean that they prefer it.

On the contrary, many cats are highly affectionate and loving by nature – they may simply need you to establish your leadership and initiate the relationship building process.

When it comes to the training process, we often prejudge cats simply because the average owner has little need to attempt any training. Unlike dogs, whose ability to learn is well documented, there's seldom the need to train cats in the basics of pet behavior such as house training and bathing.

As a consequence, few people are aware of the cat's ability in this area.

Training your cat is a great way to enrich your cat's life:

- It helps build a strong bond between you and your cat
- Because training underlines your authority, it helps to minimize dominant behavior. Your cat has to do what you ask in order to get what he wants.
- It is wonderful interactive play and teaches good social skills.
- It keeps your cat's mind active and stimulated
- High-strung or anxious cats are soothed and reassured by the repetition and routine of training

So How Can I Train My Cat?

Two of the most popular training methods for cats are clicker training and target training.

- Target training uses a designated tool to attract your cat's attention and then get the desired behaviors. As an example, using the 'beg' command, a target training tool called a training wand is used to attract the cat's attention upwards, which encourages the cat to rise up on his haunches and 'beg'.

- Clicker training is a type of operant conditioning. This is when a conscious association is formed between a specific behavior and a reward. The clicker is a small mechanical noise-maker the trainer uses to create a short, distinct sound.  The trainer makes a click at the exact moment the cat performs the desired action.

For example, when asking for a 'sit', the click is made at the very instant that the cat's haunches touch the ground. Immediately after the click, the cat is fed a small, tasty treat. As this is repeated, the cat learns to associate the click with the treats, and recognizes his own ability to earn rewards by performing the desired behavior on command. The clicker is an especially valuable training tool because it enables the trainer to pinpoint the exact behavior that's being rewarded. Without the clicker, it's very easy for the cat to associate the treat with a completely unrelated behavior (because it's impossible to offer the treat at the precise moment that he's performing a trick).

Tips for Training Your Cat

- Remember to always be patient. Each cat is an individual, with her own abilities and preferences. She will learn some tricks quickly, but may struggle with others. Make allowances for her personality, and remain calm as she progresses on her own schedule.

- Do not free-feed your cat (leaving food out all the time for her to eat when she likes). Creating a feeding schedule has two primary advantages: it increases the reward-value of the treats as training devices, and also introduces a routine to your cat's life (which, most cats prefer).

- If you are using food treats (which is usually the best way to achieve positive results) then schedule the training sessions just before mealtimes. Your cat's natural interest in food at his regular mealtime will sharpen his focus and increase his desire to obey your requests so she can get a treat.

- Take small steps. When training your cat, it is best to build a solid foundation of the basics before attempting to increase his repertoire.

- Cats have relatively short attention spans, and low boredom thresholds. So keep lessons short and engaging – and always try to end with a successful action. If you are having some problems, ask for a behavior your cat knows well.

An example of successful cat training:

Training Your Cat to 'Sit' by Voice Command:

'Sit' is a great basic command for your cat to learn because it serves as the foundation for several other, more advanced tricks and commands (for example, 'stay' and 'beg').

- Make your training wand extra effective by rubbing a little tuna oil on the tip, and use it to attract your cat's attention by waving it around her face.

- Once she's come to you, place the wand just over her head, so that it is slightly behind the crown of her head.

- She will tilt her head back to keep her eyes on it. When she does this, she will naturally sit down to be able to keep watching it.

- As she sits down, say the word 'Sit', which will be the verbal cue for this behavior. Your cat will learn to associate the voice cue with the act of sitting, and eventually will learn to sit whenever you ask her.

- As soon as her haunches touch the floor, click the clicker. It's important that you time this exactly.

- Immediately after clicking, give her a small food treat. Make sure it's very small, if it takes her more than two seconds to eat it, she'll forget why you gave it to her.

- Repeat this process a few more times, and continue for a few weeks. Keep repeating it until she's familiar with what's expected of her. When she's able to sit on command, you can phase out the clicker, but still give treats sporadically. Interestingly, if you treat every time that she performs a command, she's actually less likely to always follow that command. Keeping her alert seems to increase the likelihood of obedience.

Additional Training

For step-by-step advice on how to train your cat in a wide variety of other behaviors and tricks (from 'stay' to 'play dead' to 'fetch'), check out the Complete Cat Training book. It's full of training how-to's, as well as a enormous amount of detailed information on solving problem behaviors, cat psychology, and how to develop a more rewarding relationship with your cat.

Read more on the Complete Cat Training Website