Cat Training: Using Clickers
While you might think that cats are “untrainable”, they can, however, be trained if you use the right methods.
Clicker training at home is a successful method of training cats and kittens. With a little practice, your kitten will be able to show off her new skills to your friends and family.
Cats are independent creatures that eventually became pets. Therefore, they usually do not respond to training the way dogs or other animals do.
Perhaps the training of cats is based on the principle that there are positive consequences for certain types of behavior.
Contents
What you need to train a cat with a clicker
- Clicker (training device) or smartphone app for clicker training.
- Healthy cat treat.
- A lot of patience.
Where to begin
Start by making your cat associate the click sound with the treat. It may take a few weeks, but thanks to the system, your cat will begin to associate the click with the treat she loves. Use a treat that can be given quickly so that the kitten gets the treat at the same time as the click.
Let’s start cat training!
Once your cat is interested in the clicking sound, the real fun can begin. Start small by simply teaching your cat to come to you when you start clicking. This will always come in handy if your pet disappears somewhere all the time and you have to look for it.
By using the clicker, you can train your cat to follow it like a target. Hold the clicker up to your cat’s nose, wait for her to sniff it, then click and reward her behavior. You can try putting a small piece of treat or some catnip on the edge of the clicker. Once the kitten is able to follow the tip of the clicker on command, you can direct its attention to specific places or actions.
Advanced level: teaching a cat a trick
Take the clicker and lift it up just behind the cat’s head so that she wants to sit down and focus on the tip of the clicker. Once she sits down, click and reward her.
You can add a verbal command when pressed, such as “sit”. Like any other step in animal training, consistency and repetition are critical. Over time, your cat’s response to the word “sit” will become an action. Congratulations – you taught her to sit on command!
Remember that praise is just as good as a reward as a treat. Make sure your cat doesn’t eat too many treats or she’ll put on a few extra pounds. The rule of thumb for keeping your pet healthy is to never exceed 10% of your recommended daily calorie intake when giving treats.
Training your kitten or cat is a fun way to build a bond between you, so take your time and over time, clicker training will become a valuable experience for both of you.
