Clicker Training Of Cats

Dogs have always been considered more capable of learning than cats. However, this does not mean that cats are not able to be trained. In fact, there is an innovative clicker training of cats that is having very good results. Do you want to know what this is about? We will tell!

How is clicker training of cats

This training aims to shape the behavior of cats. Punishments are not used in this technique, which seeks to take advantage of cats’ behavior.  Thus, certain behaviors with positive consequences will be repeated. With one click, the desired behavior is flagged and then rewarded.

The clicker is a small device with a metal strip that, when pulled, “clicks”. The secret is that  this new sound for the cat, a curious animal by nature, will catch your attention.

Our voice is already very common for the kitten, so it will be harder to train it that way. Therefore, the  “click” will become the only communication channel between the owner and the animal.

Of course, we are not saying that achieving all of this is easy. You will need patience. So, let’s get you some tips to make training easier. Get ready and make a note of everything.

Preparing for Clicker Cat Training

Once you have the clicker and know what you are going to reward your cat with, follow these steps:

• Find a goal.  For example, an object that has a straight shape, such as a stick, a ballpoint pen, or a spoon. On a pen, you could hang a ping-pong or foam ball to catch the cat’s attention. It is forbidden to use snacks as targets, because then the cat would only do the exercises to eat something he likes.
• Find the right time. Choosing the moment is essential. The one where your cat is calmer for training. You should take five-minute breaks between each session. If you do sessions before eating, the cat will be more interested in the prize. Thus, he will certainly respond better to your orders.

• Avoid distractions. Find the room in the house that has fewer objects and distractions. This way, the less things around you, the less distractions the animal will have and the easier it will be to carry out training.

Starting Clicker Cat Training

• Sit with him. Being on your level will help you feel confident. It will also be easier for you to get started with training that way.
• Associate the “click” to the prize. To get started, just click and give a prize. Repeat this process several times until you can place the prize away. The cat goes after him, he will continue to understand the “click” as a prize, but he will have to make a greater effort to reach it.
• Don’t talk to the animal while you train it, because the only sound it should hear is the clicker.

• Present the objective. Once he knows that every time there is a “click” there is a reward, you must now set a goal.
• About the goal. To teach him what the objective is, you must bring him closer to the cat and click when it is close. Then give him an award and he will have started to list everything. Then repeat this action several times until the cat understands.
• Wait. In the next step, the cat will soon touch the target, so don’t forget to give the prize when it does!
• Move it. If you start moving the target, the cat will start moving. So keep doing this without forgetting to reward him.

You can do anything you can imagine with the clicker and a goal. It just takes time and patience.  Nothing is impossible! Not even training a cat…