Teaching Your Cat Simple Tricks

42 Pages·2001·0.75 MB·English

by  Arden Moore

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