How to teach a cat to give a paw

Many are convinced that cats are not amenable to education, and even more so. training. However, this is misleading. cat can to educate and even teach tricks. For example, to teach to give a paw. How to teach a cat to give a paw?

Photo: rd.com

Stock up on goodies

First of all, you will need a lot of finely chopped pieces of your cat’s favorite treat. It is important that it be something that the purr does not get as a “regular” food, but loves to death. Say “Give me your paw!” and touch the cat’s paw, immediately after that treating her with a tidbit. It is important to do this as many times (even if not in one “seat”) as the cat needs to understand: behind the words “Give me a paw!” you touch the paw and something very, very tasty will certainly follow.

At the next stage, you sit down in front of the cat, gently say: “Give me a paw!”, Touch the paw and take it in your hand for a moment. Immediately after that, give the cat a treat and praise.

It is important that the “lessons” are not drawn out: if the cat gets tired or gets bored, you will only instill in her an aversion to classes.

Reward your cat

When you realize that the cat has learned the task of the previous level, complicate the process. Sit in front of the cat, hold the treat between your fingers, bring your hand (with the treat) to the cat and say “Give a paw!”

You may notice only a slight movement of the cat’s paw towards your hand. Praise the purr, give it a treat, and continue the training by encouraging more and more movement of the cat’s paw towards your palm.

Soon you will see that the cat, hearing the phrase “Give me your paw!” will reach for your palm. Praise your mustachioed genius!

After that, wait until the cat touches your palm with its paw, and give out a treat only after that.

Photo: google.by

Practice the skill at different times in different places, but don’t overdo it.

Other ways to train a cat to give a paw

There are other ways to teach a cat to give a paw.

For example, you can after the words “Give me a paw!” from the very first stage, take the cat’s paw in the palm of your hand and at that very moment give a treat from the other hand. 

You can train your cat to use the clicker and then use the click of the clicker to indicate the correct action (for example, waiting for the cat to raise its paw, then stretch it in your direction, etc.) And then enter the command “Give paw!”

You can touch the paw from the side of the heel and praise the cat when she raises her paw, and then – for stretching her paw to you.

You can hold the treat in your fist, wait until the cat tries to “pick out” it with its paw, and reward it for it. Then we take a treat in the other hand and reward the cat for touching her empty palm with her paw.

You can also come up with your own method to teach a cat to give a paw and share it with us!