Teaching Your Cat Simple Tricks Arden Moore CONTENTS Introduction Feline Psychology How Cat Training Works Cat Chat 101 Cat-Training Basics Teaching Your Cat Classic Dog Tricks Teaching Your Cat to Come Out from Hiding Walking Your Cat on a Leash Teaching Your Cat to Use a Kitty Door Taking Your Cat for a Ride in the Car The Feline Pram Fun Feline-Human Interactive Games Parting Advice from a Pro Resources Introduction Corky, my childhood cat, followed me whenever I had a fishing pole in my hand. He loved to eat bluegills head first, with the tail flipping out of his mouth. But strangely, Corky loved to go swimming even more than he loved to eat fish. The backyard in my rural Indiana town gave way to a little lake too shallow for motorboats but just the right depth for canoes and small sailboats. On humid, hot summer afternoons, my entire family, including our dogs and Corky, swam the 100 feet or so to our floating raft. We would hoist Corky onto the raft and watch him do his one-leg-at-a-time water shake and sun himself until we were ready to head back to shore. Back then, I did not consciously declare, “Today I will teach my cat how to swim.” It just sort of happened. Looking back, I realize I did everything right — albeit by accident, not design. I initiated Corky to the lake gradually, in slow steps. Because of the fish treats, he quickly associated the water with food and fun. I introduced him to the water along the shore in stages, front paws first, then hind legs and, finally, his entire torso. I would wade out a few feet and gently guide him in a circle around me to build up his swimming confidence. Once Corky realized the lake was safe, he paddled along beside me as I swam toward the raft. He stuck his tail out straight, using it like a furry tiller in the water. Okay, so he looked like was doing the dog paddle, but we never called it that. Such a name would be an insult to any cat. Each time we returned to shore, I wrapped Corky in his own towel, patted him dry, and gave him plenty of praise. Corky soon considered swimming to be a special time he shared with me. Now, I’m not suggesting you try to turn your tabby into an Olympic-caliber swimmer. But my point is that dogs don’t have a monopoly on performing tricks or mastering training commands. Our cats also like to learn, ham it up, and yes, even please us. Anyone can teach any cat a trick or two or three. The simple secret? Be a consistent, caring, and patient teacher and make your training sessions seem like a fun game, not a must-do chore. Will your cat become a Hollywood star because she can come, sit, stay, fetch, or sit up on your command? Maybe. Maybe not. But if you spend time training your cat and teaching her some tricks, you will stimulate her mind and strengthen her self-confidence. You will sharpen your cat’s social skills and reduce the chance of behavioral problems. The level of trust between you and your cat will be enhanced, and your cat will seek you out and love to spend time with you. Ready to learn? Read on! Feline Psychology Great teachers know the best ways to motivate their students. To be a successful cat trainer, you need to know what makes your cat tick. If you pay close attention to his actions, you’ll discover some or all of the following traits. Cats prefer set routines. They like to wake up at a certain time, eat at a certain time, and they expect you home at a certain time. They quickly learn your daily schedule and adapt accordingly. Cats’ regularity may partially explain why some wake us up a few minutes before our alarm clocks chime. When their inner body clock sounds the signal, it’s time to get out of bed and start a new day. Cats abhor confusion and change. That’s why some scoot under the bed when your Aunt Dottie pays a surprise overnight visit or when they see packing boxes stacked in your living room. Cats are place oriented. They feel most comfortable inside familiar surroundings. This is how they differ from dogs. Dogs are people oriented; they want to join their favorite people pals and go to strange new places. Cats prefer to stay at home. Your house is their castle. Cats are place oriented, not people oriented. They are most comfortable when in familiar surroundings. Cats love to sleep. Some Rip van Felines will snooze up to 17 hours a day. I’ve yet to meet a cat with insomnia. They have favorite nap spots that they will risk life and limb to reach, especially if they are sunny, perched up high, or tucked inside closet corners. Cats are refreshingly honest. They never pretend. They never lie. If they don’t want to sit on your lap, they will make like Houdini to figure out a way to wiggle free. It’s nothing personal, mind you. They would just rather be elsewhere. But if your cat wants to snuggle next to you, she will unabashedly march over and sit on top of the Sunday newspaper you’re trying to read. It’s your cat’s way of saying,” Hey, look at me. Pay attention to me.” How Cat Training Works My animal behaviorist friends tell me cats can be trained by a pattern of behavior reinforced by rewards. The psychological term for this is conditioned response, the very same principle Ivan Pavlov used to elicit responses from hungry dogs using a bell. Long before you picked up this bulletin, you’ve been training your cat using the conditioned response approach — probably not even realizing it. Does your cat come zooming into the kitchen each time he hears the whirl of the electric can opener or the cush sound a tab top makes when you peel it off a new can of cat food? These sounds signal to your cat that if she goes to the kitchen, there is a good chance she will be rewarded with food. It is important for you to reinforce a desired behavior with a special signal and reward. Always be consistent. In most cases, cats are motivated by food. Other popular motivators are verbal praise, friendly petting strokes, behind-the- ears scratches, and toys (especially cat wands or toy mice). It’s All in the Timing Timing is critical in successful training. Pick a time to teach a new lesson or trick when your cat appears to be a willing student. I’ve found the best times are just before mealtime or when your cat is in a spirited, frisky, playful mood. Each cat will react differently when a training session commences. Some may ignore you at first, while others may be very curious and eager to learn from the very start. You should also recognize that your cat trains you. After all, the conditioned response technique can work both ways. Your cat knows that if he rubs against your leg, there is a high probability he will be rewarded with friendly petting. Or if he sits politely by the food bowl and meows sweetly, you will respond by feeding him. Cat Chat 101 Training success depends on how well you and your cat communicate. Of course you don’t speak the same language, and, unfortunately, a handy cat-to-people translation dictionary doesn’t exist. No need to fret. The cornerstone of successful training is addressing your cat by her name. This alerts her that you are talking to her, not the dog or your spouse. Engaging your cat in conversation on a daily basis is the fastest way to teach your cat to tune in to your voice. When your cat glides into the room and comes into view, offer a friendly greeting and call her by name. Say “Hey, Callie, it’s good to see you.” Use your cat’s name often so that she learns to associate hearing you speak it with happy actions such as getting praise or a tasty treat. Speak in calm, soothing tones so your cat will feel special and part of the household family. She will quickly learn how to interpret your voice tones and body cues if you are consistent in how you deliver them. Engage in two-way chatting instead of one-way directives like “Time to take your pill, Clipper” or “Murphy, get down from the kitchen counter — now.” Try making cat sounds. Even if your feeble meow attempts are pure nonsense, your cat will appreciate your efforts. Body Language Basics Cats do most of their communicating through body language. These are some key cat moves you need to recognize: Note the tail position. Cats rely on their tails for balance, but they are also mood barometers. A cat who holds his tail loosely upright when walking is confident and content. If your cat flicks his tail upright in your direction, he is giving you a warm greeting. If he whips it from side to side or thumps it on the floor, your cat is clearly telling you he is angry or agitated. If he puffs his tail out like a pipe cleaner, your cat is spooked or startled by something or someone. Read the eyes. The eyes are truly the mirrors to your cat’s soul. When a cat looks at you with half-opened, winking eyes, he is making a peaceful greeting: “Hey, I love you.” If your cat’s eyes are dilated, give him some space. He is nervous or agitated about something. Check the ears. A receptive cat points his ears forward and slightly outward. A ready-to-fight cat flattens his ears tightly against his head. Look for leg rubbing. When a cat rubs against your leg or brushes his cheekbone against your hand, he is marking you. It’s a form of feline flattery that alerts other scent-savvy animals within range, “Hey, this is mine.” Cat Chat Translated If you listen closely, you will notice that your cat’s vocabulary goes beyond “meow.” Cats rely on various vocal sounds to convey different meanings. What you hear is what they mean. Cats don’t clutter their vocabularies with sarcasm, slang, or double meanings. Here are the five most popular “cat-speak” sounds: Meow. Your cat makes this trademark sound when she demands your attention. She may be saying, “Hey, where have you been all day?” or “Come look out the window with me and check out that sparrow on the bird feeder.” Purr. Cats make this engine-revving sound when they are blissfully happy — like when they’re on the receiving end of a massage — or, strangely, when they face a stressful situation, such as a visit to the veterinary clinic. Only cats can purr with their mouths closed while breathing in and out. Try it. It’s impossible for humans. Saying “toy boat” 10 times fast without tangling your tongue is
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