Cats can be trained just as easily as dogs, which is something you usually hear of with dogs.Clicker training uses a clicking noise with a treat or other reward to encourage certain positive behavior.Consistency and patience will help you teach your cat new tricks in no time.
Step 1: Get a tool to click.
A clicker is a plastic box with a metal tab.It makes a clicking sound when you press it.They cost as little as $1 and are available online or in pet stores.These are used to train animals.It's best to use a clicker that is specifically designed for training.If you don't have one, you can use a pen that makes a clicking sound.If your cat is blind, you can use a pen light.
Step 2: Some treats are on hand.
Giving your cat a reward is necessary for the training to work.A common reward is a special treat, such as tuna or deli turkey, that can be given instantly to reward behavior.Pea-sized chunks should be cut up if the treat is food.Some cats are good at responding to affection or a toy.
Step 3: There is a target item.
A pen or spoon is a stick-like object.The item should only be used for training.Your cat will eventually follow this object as a target, so you don't want your cat jumping up to the dinner table to follow her training spoon.A Ping-Pong ball can be put on the end of a pencil or chopstick to make a target stick.Don't use the treat as a target.When there is a treat, this will teach your cat to do tricks.You should still reward your cats with treats occasionally, but eventually you'll want to be able to do tricks without them.
Step 4: Find a good time to train.
Hold these sessions a few times a day, and set aside 5 minutes for each one.Wait until your cat is hungry and active.He will respond better to the training if he is more interested in the treat.
Step 5: Start in a quiet area.
Start your training in a quiet place.While you work on training your cat, put your other pets outside or in a separate room.
Step 6: The floor is a good place to sit with your cat.
If you want to engage with your cat, get down at his level.It will be easier for you to respond to your cat's correct behavior by clicking and giving him a treat.
Step 7: Give a reward using the clicker.
While making a clicking noise, toss over a treat for your cat.The cat will associate a clicking sound with a treat.Don't click at other times.The cat will associate the click with the treat, so don't click while the cat is eating, looking at you or walking away.When you give the treat, click.
Step 8: Repeated clicking and rewarding will reward you.
Wait until your cat has eaten the treat and looks at you.Throw over a treat and make a clicking sound.Allow your cat to finish the treat.This process can be tried many times.Give your cat a break after 5 minutes.The reward isn't strong enough if the cat loses interest.A better reward can be found.
Step 9: You can toss the treat and click at the same time.
Continue to associate the clicking sound with the reward, but use your cat's attention to the treat to start building stronger associations.The cat will still want the treat but will have to work harder to get it.
Step 10: Don't talk to your cat.
Don't say anything to the cat during the first stage.The clearest signal is the clicker noise.The click noise is easier for an animal to identify than a verbal cue such as, "Good kitty."A click can be quick and consistent.
Step 11: The click/treat relationship needs to be reinforced briefly.
Every time you start a new training session, give your cat a treat by clicking the clicker.This will remind your cat of something.
Step 12: The click should be linked with the target.
Bring your item to your cat.As soon as the cat moves towards the target or shows interest in it, be prepared to click.He could look at it, lean toward it or sniff it.Give him a treat when he clicks at the same time.Your cat will only see the target when you are ready to reward it.The click lets the cat know when it did something right.The correct action is moving toward the target.If you use the clicker as a signal for the reward, your cat won't get confused.If you toss a treat to the cat, he will immediately focus on the treat.The cat has a little more time to figure out what it did to get the treat after the clicker tells it.
Step 13: Try again several times.
When he finishes his treat, bring up the target again and click when he moves towards it.Give him something to eat.He will try different movements to get the treat.Move the target closer to the cat's face if it is only looking at it.Most cats will sniff it.Click if the cat does this.
Step 14: Wait for the cat to approach the target.
Push the cat to perform more after he has associated a click with the target.Wait for the cat to brush his face before giving him a treat.
Step 15: You should move the target around.
Your cat will move if you start to move the target.Encourage your cat to take a step.Try to get the cat to take a step in its direction once it is reliably looking at target.Click and reward when it takes that step.The target should be moved to the side.If your cat follows the target, click and give it a reward.Cats won't complete the entire action you want the first time, so taking an incremental approach will be productive.Reward your cat when it makes partial movements.You reward him when he gets closer and closer to the action.
Step 16: A few times a day is how to repeat this exercise.
It's best to try 5 minute sessions.End the training session if you notice your cat losing interest after a few clicks.Eventually you will be able to get your cat to walk across the room.
Step 17: Each of your cat's tricks will require a verbal cue.
The clicker noise is good for letting the cat know what's going on, but it doesn't help it understand which trick you want it to do.The verbal cue needs to be clear.It should be something you won't use with other pets or something that is used too much in everyday conversation.Make your cat do something by choosing a logical word.You could use the word "Jump!" when your cat jumps.You could say "Come!" when your cat walks towards you.
Step 18: Don't let your cat go to sleep.
Hold out the target by sitting on the floor.If your cat is going to respond to the target by walking toward it, you should hold it in front of you and say, "Come!" at the same time.Click and give a reward when your cat moves towards you.You can try this several times in your house.You have to click and reward each time.Go back to your previous training if your cat is confused or not getting it.End the session on a positive note.Try these sessions for 5 minutes at a time.
Step 19: Make your cat sit.
You have a treat in your hand.Move your hand back as he sees it.Cats will sit down if they can follow the treat.As soon as your cat sits down, click the clicker, say "Sit" and give him a treat.This is done several times a day.
Step 20: Ignore behavior that doesn't involve a verbal cue.
The verbal cue tells you when your cat will receive a reward.Don't reward your cat if he does something on his own.Don't give a treat if you click.Ignore any behavior that he does without a verbal cue at this stage of the training.Your cat will associate the click and reward with the verbal cue.
Step 21: This process should be repeated with other tricks.
As you continue to train your cat, he will learn more commands and recognize different verbal signals.You will find that you don't need the clicker anymore at some point.