Clicker training for cats: Has anyone ever tried that? (update #10)

[Freedom]

Sure it works with cats as well as dogs! I find clicker training quite easy. The thing with a cat will be finding the high value treat to reward with. Something the cat never normally gets, it is just used for training and it is irresistible to kitty. Maybe some fish? Canned or cooked. You'd just need a little each time.

The way it works: you mark the behavior you want with a click and then immediately follow up with a high value treat. The idea is, that it is easier and quicker for the human to CLICK than it is to get the treat to the pet, praise the pet, pat, etc. You something to quickly and clearly indicate THAT is what I want you to do! Start with something easy to introduce the sound so kitty learns to connect the sound with what she is doing and a reward.

I've known cats trained to shake - one cat would jump up on a table next to the front door at the sound of the doorbell, and as visitors entered, kitty would hold up a paw. Visitors were instructed to shake and say hello prior to meeting with the humans, lol. That is more advanced and you train that in stages. So there is plenty you can do with a cat!

[Kirsten]

Sure it works with cats as well as dogs! I find clicker training quite easy. The thing with a cat will be finding the high value treat to reward with. Something the cat never normally gets, it is just used for training and it is irresistible to kitty. Maybe some fish? Canned or cooked. You'd just need a little each time.

The way it works: you mark the behavior you want with a click and then immediately follow up with a high value treat. The idea is, that it is easier and quicker for the human to CLICK than it is to get the treat to the pet, praise the pet, pat, etc. You something to quickly and clearly indicate THAT is what I want you to do! Start with something easy to introduce the sound so kitty learns to connect the sound with what she is doing and a reward.

I've known cats trained to shake - one cat would jump up on a table next to the front door at the sound of the doorbell, and as visitors entered, kitty would hold up a paw. Visitors were instructed to shake and say hello prior to meeting with the humans, lol. That is more advanced and you train that in stages. So there is plenty you can do with a cat!

Interesting! I agree it would be hard to find such a treat, especially when your cat is on a diet! Another thing is, Lily always comes running when I grab for a treat, she knows the sound of the treat box, etc. I hope the instructions in the books will help me with that. Anyway, I think I will give it a try.

[Freedom]

Perhaps you can find the books at the library?

Also, search on youtube!

[catmandu]

I can see me clicking away at My Cats while they make circling motions with their paws at their head.
Hes gone batty , even more than normal they sigh.

[Kirsten]

I went to our local pet store today, hoping to find a clicker and a book with instructions, but they were sold out. Now I've ordered them on amazon, should be here in a few days... I'll keep you updated. :-)

[Karen]

Hopefully it ill work for you! The best cat training book I read said the reason most people think cats are not trainable is cats are far more patient than people are. A cat will sit and watch a mouse-hole for hours, for example. So the biggest challenge in cat training is to out-stubborn your cat!

[Barbara]

Ha! i am sure you also saw the pet magazine on Vox TV ( not related to Fox) with that lady Birga Dexel who helps owners with cat problems. I see it every saturday and in many of her stories the cat is underplayed. Like that little boy who kept chasing his older sister so much that she had taken to living under the bed. Or those two black guys who really shred the apartment to pieces ( including opening and raiding the fridge) when their purrson was at work.
I was also thinking of starting with clicker training but I may be too lazy However do you remember Faramir, the Swiss Aby kitty who was also a friend of Randy's ( Mango's dad). Faramir did the most amazing tricks like balancing on a ball and giving his little paw. I think he also got clicker training. It might help Orion who right now sits under the sofa because he does not want me to write but to play. I am fairly sure Birga has videos on youtube about clicker and Faramir may as well.