How to teach cat commands at home

If the new pet in the house is an adult animal and its character needs correcting, it's a much more difficult task than raising a kitten.

15 tips for those trying to train a cat

Cats by nature are independent and willful animals, they have no desire to please their owner as dogs do. That is why they are more amenable to tricks that they have an initial tendency to do: if your cat likes to carry objects in its teeth, you can most likely teach it to pass objects, if it gets up on its hind legs it is worth working with this skill. So, the first piece of advice is that before you start training, study your cat's habits carefully. You will never get your cat to do anything she doesn't want to do or doesn't like to do.

So, we observed that our Marusya (aka Cinnamon) is crazy about Dreamers pads (not advertising rights, aha-ha-ha) and loves to jump despite her age (about 5-6 years old).

So we had no trouble teaching the cat to jump through the hoop and stand up "bunny"

So, 15 tips for those who are trying to train a cat

• It's also important to remember that Almost any breed can be trained, but you have to choose an active, curious and contact cat . Particularly good in training are breeds like the Abyssinian, Burma, Scottish Lop, Siamese, British and Bengal.
• Before understanding how to train a cat at home, you need to know that it is almost impossible to teach tricks to an adult cat. Training should begin when the kitten is at least four months old. The optimal age for training is 6-9 months When the nervous system is mature and the habits and temperament are still lacking.
• Be patient . Do not teach your pet several commands at once in a short time. Persistence will cause rebellion and disgust.
• It is necessary to earn the cat's trust. The cat is the main member of the family and will obey him. He is the one who needs to be trained and taught the first tricks. Do not hurt the animal, otherwise the owner will lose confidence, and the training can be forgotten;
• Start training with feeding calls. . The first command is the easiest to teach a cat – it always goes on the call if it knows that it will be given something nice, so start training your pet with feeding calls. When doing so, make it fun and easy to talk, and be sure to call the cat by name.
• Cats respond very well to the words that you say, They can pick up on up to 50 sounds . They don't understand the words you say, but they do learn when you call her for a walk or a game.
• Train her by playing. For a cat, training is a game that fits into the framework of habitual life, just with slightly changed conditions. Cats play only when they are in a good mood, so the training should take place only if the pet wants it himself;
• Don't forget about encouragement . Any action properly performed by the cat should be rewarded – it's a basic principle of any training. Experts distinguish two types of encouragement: verbal praise and a treat. It is best to use both to positively reinforce the correctness of the action. If the cat did not perform the command, you should not give it a treat out of pity, wait until the animal does everything correctly.
• Be calm . The main mistake in the training process is an elevated tone. The cat doesn't understand why you are yelling at her. She may think that you are being negative and hostile toward her. So yelling is a direct way to lose the cat's trust.
• You don't need special conditions for training. But There should be no distractions in the training room. . No music or TV should be on. If there are other pets, isolate them for a while.
• Do not overexert your pet. . You should not spend more than 5 minutes on the first session. The cat will quickly become tired or lose interest. Starting with two sessions a week, you should gradually increase them to four. If the pet is eager to play, you should give lessons from 10 to 15 minutes.
• Always reinforce the results . Do not make mistakes in your actions. For example, if the cat has done the "sit" command and at the moment of encouragement it stands up, it will have a connection between rising on its hind legs and a treat. Thus, she will simply misunderstand you.
• Prepare special equipment . Some tricks require additional items such as a hoop, fence (fencing) or bollards (chairs). I bought a baby hoop (for toddlers) at a regular sports store.
• Do not use catnip in training. Catnip: this plant is not physically addictive, but psychological dependence will develop quickly. Fortunately not all cats are susceptible.

At what age should you raise a kitten?

Up to two months, sometimes up to three or four months, the kitten is close to her mother. She feeds it, licks it, teaches it basic hygiene skills. A good cat will teach its baby to go to the bathroom, and ideally it will show you where to sharpen its claws. Such a pet in a new home will be easier to raise and accustom to routines.

It is more difficult with a baby found on the street or received from a shelter for homeless animals. The main thing in this case is to nurse the kitten, help him to get stronger. Tender, careful attitude is the key to a healthy physiology and psyche of such a pet.

You should start to teach the litter box and the scratching post from the first days, but carefully, without scolding for mischief.

From the age of four months, any kitten is already active enough, plays a lot and pranks. At this age you can already show severity in education. It can only be shown by the intonation of the voice, in no case apply physical punishment.

From half a year or slightly later, the pet begins the period of puberty. Both the male and female may begin to mark territory, possibly displaying aggression. If no breeding is planned, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian and timely spay or neuter the animal.

The most important skills

Mode

The baby must learn to live at the rhythm of the new home. So that he does not wake anyone at night, it is worth actively playing with him before going to bed. If a kitten wakes up the housemates early in the morning, you should not pay attention to his cries – then he will quickly give up the bad habit.

Food

Feed your baby at the same time – two or three times a day, depending on age. The place of feeding should be constant. Bowls should always be kept empty and clean between meals.

Toilet

If the kitten already knows how to go to the litter box, the task is simplified. You should use the same type of device and type of litter that he is used to in his native home.

If the pet does not have the right skill, you need to pick the type of toilet device that he likes.

It is necessary to put the baby several times into the toilet after 15-20 minutes after the meal, encourage for the correct result.

Clawfoot

If the pet does not know how to use this product, it is necessary to accustom him to sharpen his claws only in the proper place. The full training cycle takes two months.

Playtime

Your baby should have enough variety of toys – wiggles, balls, squeakers and interactive devices. The main thing is not to let him bite or scratch the hands and feet of the household.

Man

From the first days in the new home, the owner must make it clear to the pet that the main, the only authority and leader of the pack is a man. If the baby learns this, there will be no problems in the future.

When to start training the cat

Experts recommend that you start training kittens from six months of age. By this age, they are quite mature enough to understand commands and follow the owner's instructions. Although the basics, like the litter box, as we mentioned above, kittens pass much earlier.

No shouting at the cat

Any training must be based on mutual trust and a good attitude. On no account should you yell at the cat during training. And all the more so, do not beat it. Cats are quite vindictive animals. They are quite capable of sabotaging subsequent classes. If you need to stop the disorderly pet, it is enough to slightly raise your voice. Just talk strictly to the cat. These animals are great at understanding human intonation and remembering what not to do.

Training should be voluntary

Cats are very willful creatures. Please, when the animal does not like something in your training or behavior, you will not wait for its obedience. Experts say train him as a game and part of his bonding with you. Buy him his own toys. Pay more attention, play with him, reward and give him treats for following commands and good behavior.

Base it on your cat's personality and habits

Here is the advice of the famous animal trainer and art director of the Moscow Theater of Cats, Yury Kuklachev: "I use a cat's ability to prepare circus performances. For example, I see that she likes to jump – and I develop it, turn it into a trick with the help of a game. I caress it, say a kind word, give it a piece of fish or turkey as an encouragement. You have to praise her and play with her, otherwise it won't work. You won't buy her with just "eating". With a cat the carrot and stick principle does not work – you can only negotiate". Before you start training the cat it is necessary to study its character and habits. You should notice what she likes most of all, when she is tired, how long she can play, and what she likes to eat. Cat training is a delicate matter.

What commands you can teach a cat

"Sit."

Catch the cat in the moment when it is huddled next to you. Push lightly on the back of the animal and at the moment when it sits down say: "Sit! You can also repeat this command when your cat decides to sit down next to you. Here's a video on iLike Pet about commands you can teach your cat.

"Give me your paw."

Hide a treat in your fist and bring it up to your cat's nose. She will feel it. And will start trying to get the food with her paws. Voice the command "Give me your paw" and take the animal's paw with your free hand. After the pet does everything right, you can give him a treat.

"Fetch (fetch)"

If the cat is playful and likes to carry balls, some things and toys, it is easy to teach this command. The next time you play soccer, encourage the cat to bring you a ball in fervor. Or a bow. Or a mouse. Give her a treat and say a command. If the cat throws an object on the way, don't give the treat.

"Come here!"

Every time the pet approaches you, voice this command. You can entice the cat by picking up a toy or treat. When the animal comes to you, give it a treat and pet it. Try repeating this exercise in different rooms two or three times a day.

"Voice."

Catch the moment when the pet "talks" to you. Perhaps he will start meowing when he wants to eat. Show him a treat and wait for a reaction. As soon as the kitty says "meow," say the command "voice." Praise, give him a treat, pet him.

"Lie down."

This is a very useful command. It will come in handy when you go to the vet. If the cat is already sitting next to you, show him a tasty treat and slowly lower the animal down. When the cat settles down, you can praise it and give it food.

"Serve."

Give the cat a sniff of the treat and raise your hand from its nose upward. The pet will reach for the treat and stand on its hind legs. It is at this point that you should say, "Serve." And, of course, give a treat.

How to teach the cat to give you paw?

Many cats perform this command even better than dogs. Remember the basic rules: a treat and a good mood of the pet. Put a tasty morsel in your palm, bring it to your kitten and wait until he puts his paw on your hand to take the tasty morsel.

If the kitten doesn't understand and doesn't reach for the treat, show him yourself what to do, praise him and let him eat the treat. When kitty starts reaching for the next treat, add the voice command "give me your paw. Repeat this 5 times and take a break.

In the video another option to teach the cat to give a paw, you need to hide a treat in your fist.

How to teach a cat the "sit" command?

Cats, like dogs, can learn to sit on command. Hold a piece of treat above the cat's face and with your other hand stroke his back, pressing lightly on his croup. While saying the "sit" command, bring the treat behind the pet's head. The cat will sit down on its own to look at it, and when it does, it will receive a treat and praise. The exercise should be reinforced periodically, repeating it from time to time.

Give the cat an opportunity to smell the treat and slowly raise your hand up from your nose. The cat will reach for the treat and stand on its hind legs. At this point, engage your voice command and give the tidbit away. If this does not work, repeat the command, but do not give the tidbit until you have gotten the cat to stand on its paws.

Can cats be trained?

It's no surprise to anyone to see trained dogs – you can train your own pet without much difficulty on your own or quickly and with a professional trainer. But trained cats fascinate us – it's not for nothing that Yuri Kuklachev's show fascinates many people. All because it is believed that cats, unlike dogs, like to be "by themselves" and do not obey commands.

Although cats are indeed harder to train than dogs, they can willingly obey some commands. Also, as Daniel Cummings of the animal charity Cats Protection points out in his article, training for cats is a way to improve their behavior. For example, you can teach your pet to perform actions on the words "come to me," "stand," "jump," "sit," and "give me a paw." But to make it work, it's important to follow a few rules. Firstly, at the moment of training the cat should not be frightened – it is necessary that the pet understands that he is safe and that the session of training is just a game. Remember that cats get tired quickly and can't do more than 30 minutes of one thing – they just get bored. It is important to train regularly, to be patient and not to punish failure.

It is important that reinforcement of successful command performance be only positive. More often than not, trainers use food as a reward for doing the exercise correctly. Some cats don't like to eat so much – then you need to look for another type of reward, such as stroking or scratching.

Alesya Pavlova, a veterinarian and zoopsychologist, told TechInsider about whisker training: Training cats is not a myth; they're great to train. More often than not, they'll love it. But it's worth remembering: all cats are different and some will be more interested in training and some less so. If the cat doesn't want to be trained, you don't have to force it, but motivating it to do something for a tasty bite is quite a workable tactic that perfectly develops the cat's intellect.

When should you start training a cat?

Of course, you should start training kittens at an early age, but you shouldn't try to teach commands to a newborn animal. The best age to start training is 7-8 months. By this time, the kitten will be able to understand what is required of him and trace the pattern of command-reward. For the first training it is better to choose commands that will resonate with the pet's favorite activities. For example, if your kitten likes to jump and climb on furniture, you can teach him to climb on your shoulders, if he likes to carry items in his teeth – teach him to bring you a thrown toy.

Teaching commands to an adult cat is difficult, but possible. Over the years, your cat will develop its own personality and habits. That's why the training process will be more painstaking and will take longer than with kittens, but if you approach it correctly and with love – everything can work out.

Tricks

If the decision to train a cat is made, you must have patience. It is necessary to take into account the willfulness of the pets.

Jumping

When the cat learns a quick reaction, you can try to give food from the hands, repeating the commands in stages. Moving on to the next tricks is possible only when the animal learns to instantly execute the order. Rehearsals should be frequent to reinforce the material.

Sit

The "sit" command comes in handy for securing the cat, for example during medical examinations. With regular encouragement to sit still, the pet will learn to wait for food without getting in the way underfoot.
How to train:

Keep in mind that cats should not feel pressure. They are too proud to obey human commands, so the command should be pronounced calmly and confidently without raising the tone.

Fetch

Entertainment Team. Demand to carry objects in their teeth can be done by initially throwing this very toy. Cats like foil, so you can start training with a rolled up shiny piece into a ball.

1. You can play with the cat with a small and light toy.
2. Throw it nearby.
3. When the animal takes the toy in its teeth, say a command.
4. Do not forget to praise the cat and reward it with a treat.
5. When it wants a treat, it will bring the toy to its feet.

Lie down

This command is an indispensable skill when visiting the vet. The cat should be seated, shown a tidbit and slowly lowered down. Of course, the pet's head will drop down behind it, then you need to move the food sideways. Ideally, the pet should lie down himself. Once the cat lies down, he can be praised and given food.

Mr. Cat recommends: Top 5 easiest cat breeds to train

Unfortunately, some pets don't pay attention to any commands, much less tricks. But there are also breeds of animals that can become circus performers in a few months. Here is their list:

Abyssinian .

Distinguished by their exaggerated inquisitiveness, sociability, and fearlessness. Because of their muscular body and long toes, they perform heavy tricks with ease.

American Shorthair.

Pets of this breed quickly learn many commands, are accustomed to the litter box.

Bengal

Active, fast, playful cats who are not afraid of water. They are trainable and will not refuse any treats.

Siamese

One of the most loyal breeds, these cats are constantly on the heels of their owners. At a moment of fun they like to make a mess, they like to watch TV. Easy to learn commands, perfectly perform all tricks.

Savannah

A hybrid that resembles a striped cat. He has a playful nature, often makes a fuss, climbs on cupboards, throws different utensils, can grab his leg. They are interesting to train, they perform all commands with varying complexity.

The above list of cat breeds that can be trained is rather tentative. Even ordinary kittens can become the best performers of tricks. So there is no need to focus on a particular expensive breed, it is better to train and educate your pets yourself.

Let's train them properly: 8 simple commands you can teach your cat

Cats are intelligent animals. Surprisingly, most of the tricks that dogs do can be taught to cats, too. They can also respond to commands – you just have to find the right approach. Here are eight of the best and easiest tricks you can teach a cat.

A raised voice or physical punishment causes the animal stress – such training does not lead to positive results. The pet should always be encouraged. Training should be short – a few minutes for one approach will be enough. It may take a kitten or adult cat from several attempts to several weeks to learn a new skill. The learning time depends on the temperament and character of the cat.

Of course, it is easier to train a cat when it is still very young. However, scientists have found that even an adult cat can be taught commands. The main thing in this case is a competent approach to training and the love of the owner.

"Cats learn commands just as well as dogs. The fact that they cannot be taught anything is a myth from the days when mechanical training was popular. For example, when a dog was taught some commands with leash jerks. In this way, of course, no cat will learn. If we are talking about modern training with positive reinforcement – for a treat, a toy or praise, then there will be no problem to train a cat. The difference between training a cat and a dog is that they are not as excited during training, respectively, slower to learn. This is an important point, you should not teach several tricks at once in one session, the session should be short, otherwise the cat will quickly get bored. In addition, not all cats will be willing to learn for a treat, so you can offer to do something for some other benefits. For example, my kitty once learned a trick on his own, essentially surrendering on his hind legs with his front legs, asking me to take him in my arms. The action was reinforced, accordingly, by what he desired – I took him in my arms," – Maria Polonnikova, zoopsychologist.

Where to start training a cat

Catch and praise – requires some attention of the owner, but still the method is simple. Many owners do not even realize that a cat remembers more than 50 human words and fill the potential field of activity with "unrepresentative" or useless commands like "kitty-kitty", "Scoot" or "I went to work".

So, the quickest command to remember is "Eat!" and 80% of "average" cats know it. The animal builds a logical connection – he heard "Eat!", ran to the bowl, got dinner, and the positive emotions, in turn, strengthen the conditioned reflex. According to the same principle, the cat is taught the command "Sleep!" – The cat is comfortably put down, stroked and nurtured, repeating the command. In the future, the cat goes to bed on command and does not interfere with vacuuming or receiving guests, and both the owner is happy and the pet experiences positive emotions.

Observing the animal's daily behavior, you will notice what captivates the cat – jumping into boxes, rolling on its back, jumping over "chasms," running on claws or any other, unconventional behaviors. The cat performs commands by responding to the sound and tone of voice he hears. Take care in advance about "preparations" of voice commands – the meaning of the word is not important, the main thing is that it should be short and audible "Atas!" – jump into the box, "Hello!" – somersault, "Face!" – arm or toy attack.

When you see the desired action – give the command during or after the execution and praise the animal as if, the command was executed. Repeat "fetching" until the cat develops a logical connection and a conditioned reflex. Always keep "goodies" with you and reinforce the reflex with a food reward. Almost all commands for cats are tricks. For a piece of meat, the audience will not judge you, and the standards and judges assessing the quality of performance in front of you will not.

Teaching functional commands to the cat

Functional commands are understood as performing a natural action or assuming a certain pose by order of the trainer. Punishment, severity and monotony are contraindicated during classes. Be sure to take breaks between trips, dilute classes with "catching" and games. Carry out the training in the home, the pet feels more confident in its territory.

Note! Successful training depends on the cat's ability to concentrate. Kittens tire quickly, while young and temperamental adult cats fully absorb long sessions.

Remember that you can make up your own voice command, the article uses "dog names" for convenience. Praise and lavishly reward your pet for the slightest of successes, while at the same time, a command that is incorrectly executed should not be rewarded. Next, training techniques, instead of a treat, you can use a toy or other stimulus that the pet likes.

The "Sit" command.

Raise a piece of treat over the pet's muzzle, with your free hand stroke the back with a slight pressure in the croup area. Bring the treat behind the pet's head, the cat will instinctively sit.

The "Give Paw" command.

Clench the treat in your fist and let the cat sniff your hand. Wait for the animal to try all the ways and try to get the treat with his paw. With your free hand hold on to the paw placed on the fist and loudly say the command, immediately give the reward. In the future, with proper practice, at the command to give the paw, the cat will raise a limb in the air without support and as if "waving his paw".

The command "Serve".

Give the cat a sniff of a treat and slowly raise your hand up from your nose. When the pet reaches for the tidbit and stands on its hind legs, say the command and give it the treat. Didn't get it right the first time? – Repeat, but don't give him the treat until he strikes the correct posture.

Everyday cat training

Litter box training begins on the first day of life in a new home. If there are several animals in the apartment, each needs a separate litter box. The kitten is put into the litter box immediately after feeding. Usually after the cat goes several times to the same place, the training can be considered complete. It will stick to the habit for the rest of its life. Learn more about toilet training here https://www.purinaone.ru/cat/catmag/training-game/kak-priuchit-koshku-k-lotku.

Already in the first days of communication with the new owner the pet must learn its name. Usually you do not need special training for this. The kitten gradually begins to understand when its name is called. But sometimes an adult cat comes into the house with an unknown name. Then the question is how to train an adult cat so that he begins to respond not to "kitty-kitty", but to the name given to him by his new owners. To do this, before putting food in the bowl, the animal is called by name several times. Very quickly the cat will begin to associate the set of sounds with the tasty food and learn to respond to the call.

What is used in training

How to learn to train a cat at home? It is necessary to follow a simple methodology:

Cats are encouraged not so much by words, but by intonation. You need to affectionately say "Good" and pet the animal.

Weasel or food encouragement should be used depending on what the animal is more addicted to. If the pussy likes to eat, the easiest way to teach it the right behavior is to use treats to encourage it. An animal that is in close contact with its owner and loves affection can be encouraged by stroking and intonation.

To get good results, you need to arm yourself with patience and goodwill. A big mistake for novice trainers is to use negative reinforcements: irritated voice, physical punishment, yelling. The animal will instantly refuse contact, get scared and stop working.

Peculiarities of training cats of different breeds

Some breeds are naturally sedentary and phlegmatic. They are more difficult to train than active and curious. For example, the training of the British and Bengal cat requires much more work and time than training a temperamental by nature Abyssinian, Bobtail, sphinx. Maine Coons, Angora, Russian Blue and Persian cats are difficult to train. They are calm, independent and independent more than other breeds.

The famous cat trainer Yuri Kuklachev demonstrates the great ability of these animals to learn. At the same time, he says that furry pets cannot be trained like other animals. Some things they catch on the fly, and some things they are not able to understand at all. So when teaching tricks it is right to adjust to your pet, watching what he wants to do, and what he does not agree to at any cost. As for learning to call and use the litter box, absolutely any kitty is capable of it.