Many people have heard the phrase “cat training,” and think they could never train a cat. The reality is that cats ARE trainable, and now is a very good time to start. That would make dog training seem like a walk in the park!
Whether you need to correct wayward behavior or just make your cat a bit more obedient, training your feline not only creates a stronger bond between the two of you but can also be an enjoyable one for you both.
Why is Cat Training So Important?
Cats need mental and physical stimulation. Without adequate stimulation, cats often get bored that can eventually lead to problems including issues like destructive behavior, weight gain or loss, depression and a number of health concerns. Training demands that the cat use its brain while also moving around, thus providing a good mixture of mental and physical exercise. Training will also help you bond with your cat. You get and do a fun activity you can both share, and become closer. Together with your cat, you will develop and bond a rapport that extends far beyond language to an understanding based on their personality, body language, and the way their mind works. This insight will bring you and your cat closer, and be beneficial where others parts of his life are directly concerned. And last but not least, you can teach your cat so he or she forgets all those annoying or even problem behaviors. Clicker training can also be used to work on problem behaviors like scratching furniture and biting, or basic obedience like counter surfing.Pre-training Your Cat
You can train your cat to respond to the clicker, but there are a few things you have to do before you begin.
Acquires the cat training essentials
There are only a few things that you will need to start cat training. Basic training tools are:Clicker with target stick:
These essential tools are combined in the Cat School Clicker Training Kit.Treats:
You should give a treat your cat will do anything to get. As always with cats, this will vary. Dry kibble, freeze dried treats, squeezable treat sauce or wet food may be choices as well for your kitty. You may need to experiment with a few different options until you discover the right one for your cat.Cat School membership:
The Cat School curriculum is the most extensive web-based cat clicker training resource within a 4-week structured online course. Whether you are interested in teaching your cat practical skills, tricks or using the clicker for problem behaviors — we’ve got it all. For the overachievers going above and beyond in stocking materials they will need at some point:Yoga blocks:
Can also be amenities for training.
Treat pouch:
For your treats and to have handy when you start training sessionsMat:
For stay and place.Determine what you want to teach your cat.
There are infinite training possibilities for your feline pal. So what presence skills do we work on, given all of these choices? You need to know what behaviors you want to start working on in the first place, and here are a few tips of guidance to try to make it easier for both yourself and your kitty at the first stage. What are your goals? Do you need help with a specific behavior, training basics, or are you looking to teach your dog some fun tricks? Choosing this doesn’t mean that you can never move into other spaces later. It simply provides you with a firm base, and stops you from trying to pull in too many directions early on.9 Cat Training Tips
So, you have purchased the required tools and materials for this project & have selected your approach to technical training. It’s time to get started!-
Start with something easy
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Keep the training sharp
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Eliminate any distractions
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You Need To Reward Instantly and Consistently
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Find the right reward.
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Punish the evil practice.
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Be consistent with your cues.
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Train at the right time.
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Involve others
Obedience skills
This is obviously where you’ll want to begin and that starts with obedience skills. These lessons include the commands of “sit”, come, stay, drop it, targeting, touch pads and focus work. Most of the simple obedience skills are base sets of behaviors on which future skills can be aspirations.Target
One great way to train this is target training, where you teach your cat to touch an object with a specific body part in return for a reward. For instance, having your cat touch the end of a target stick with their nose. You can teach with the target stick. Use it to clearly move your cat from one place to another. Lead your cat freely into a carrier or backpack. Such as jumping over your arms or legs a certain way. Teaching a shy cat not to be afraid of strangers As a goal, to bring down the ice with strangers by giving room for them to productively participate. Tire your cat out before bed. Pick up the device and turn your cat into a furry little triath-letter, careening around your living room like an agility course.Sit
Training your cat to sit is a very simple and quick process. The easiest way to do this is by catching your cat naturally sitting, and then clicking and rewarding. Combine it with a hand signal and verbal cue, and your cat will respond to its commands after some time.Coming when called
Training a cat to come when called (recall) is very beneficial. Aside from being nice that your cat will come when you call their name, it is helpful should your cat get loose outside. The idea here is to use some treats and get your cat to come when you call their name out and always reward them when they respond.
Tricks
You could teach your cat so many fun tricks! Trick Training Can be Like Therapy for Your Cat and You Most of these tricks have building blocks leading up to teaching them such as target training, or simple commands like sit, so in order for your cat to be successful at this list of handpicked trick you need to make sure they are proficient in the prerequisites!Spin
To teach “spin” you need to lead your cat around in a tight circle with a target stick or your finger. Combine it with the “spin” command, click when the trick is performed, then reward with a treat!Jump
With the help of the target stick, your cat can be trained to jump up onto objects when cued. As with “spin”, you will want to split this into a voice command, at first, and then click and reward them when it is performed correctly You can even target your cat to jump other obstacles as well, such as over your legs or your arms.es, all kittens can be trained regardless of their breed. While some breeds may have more independent or playful personalities, training is more about consistency and patience than breed. Start early with positive reinforcement, and any kitten can learn basic commands and behaviors.
You can start training your kitten as early as 8-12 weeks old. At this age, kittens are more receptive to learning and can adapt to basic commands like “sit” or “come” through positive reinforcement.
Clicker training is a method of positive reinforcement using a click sound to mark the exact moment your kitten performs a desired behavior. The sound is followed by a reward, such as a treat, to reinforce the behavior. Over time, your kitten associates the sound with positive outcomes and becomes more likely to repeat the behavior.
If your kitten seems uninterested in training, try to find a more motivating reward, such as a different treat or toy. Ensure that training sessions are short, fun, and without distractions. Some kittens may take longer to grasp new skills, so patience and persistence are key.
Training sessions should last between 5 to 10 minutes, as kittens have short attention spans. Keeping sessions brief and focused helps prevent boredom and frustration for both you and your kitten.
The best reward depends on what your kitten loves most. Common rewards include small, soft treats, toys, or even verbal praise and petting. Experiment with different rewards to find what motivates your kitten the most.
No, punishment is not recommended when training kittens. Punishing can cause fear and confusion, making training more difficult. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement by rewarding good behavior and redirecting unwanted actions in a calm and patient manner.
Yes, you can train your kitten even if you have other pets. However, it’s essential to eliminate distractions during training sessions, which may mean training in a quiet, separate room until your kitten can focus despite the presence of other animals.
To stop bad behaviors, such as scratching furniture, provide alternatives like scratching posts. Reward your kitten when they use the post, and use deterrents like double-sided tape or furniture covers on areas you don’t want them to scratch. Redirecting their behavior and rewarding the desired action will help modify their habits.
Involve other family members by ensuring everyone uses the same cues, rewards, and training methods. Consistency is crucial for effective training, so all family members should be on the same page when it comes to commands and expectations.
If your kitten isn’t responding to a cue, first ensure you’re rewarding them consistently and immediately after the desired behavior. If that doesn’t work, consider breaking the training into smaller steps and gradually building up to the full behavior. For example, if you’re teaching “sit,” you might need to guide your kitten more with a treat until they understand the command.
Yes, you can train your kitten to walk on a leash, but it requires patience. Start by getting your kitten comfortable with wearing a harness indoors, then gradually introduce the leash and outdoor exploration. Always ensure your kitten feels safe and never pull or force them to walk.