Tricks You Can Teach Your Cat
Cats may seem a bit less excited about social situations than dogs are, but they can still be trained to do simple or even complex tricks. Timely, positive reinforcement is the key here, and it is best done with treats. You can get your cat to do something as simple as a high five, or as complex as going out the cat door and meeting you at a specific spot. Start with something simple and move forward.
Gestures
One of the easiest things to train your cat to do is a high five. This is because you can use the treat to get his or her attention. Hold the treat in the spot where you want your cat to put his or her paw and say “high five.” When they reach for the treat, give a high five, immediately followed by the treat. Once your cat has this mastered, move on to more complex gestures, using the same method, like shaking hands.
Body Movements
Cats can be trained to do things like sit, or even to jump through hoops or over obstacles. For body movements like sitting or standing, place the treat in an area that forces your cat to make the motion to get it. So, you might put the treat by the floor so your cat has to crouch down to get it if you want your cat to crouch. Conversely, hold the treat up high if you want your cat to jump.
To get your cat to do something like go through the cat door, use a toy, like a feather on a string. From the other side of the door, push the feather through. When your cat goes after it through the door, offer him or her a treat.
Yes, training your cat really is as simple as getting attention and offering a reward. Practice frequently so that eventually, you won’t even need to use the treat.