How to Train Your Cat: 3 Simple Steps
Cats are clever animals that can definitely be taught something. Most furry friends even enjoy training. Whether it's learning the house rules or cool tricks - the right approach is important so that you can celebrate successes as a team.
Can you even train a cat?
First of all, the question arises: Can you even train a cat? Of course. Just like dogs, cats are smart animals that love to learn new things quickly with the right incentive. Especially for house cats that are never outside, a training session is a welcome distraction from boredom. But even if your cat is sick and has, for example, a broken leg, a little engagement won't hurt.
Achieving Success in 3 Simple Steps
The principle is actually quite simple: Desirable behavior is praised and undesired behavior is ignored or corrected. Since your furry friend is certainly eager for the next reward, they will keep showing the desired behavior.
If you want to teach your cat, for example, to lie on the cat tree more often, you can proceed as follows:
Step 1: Show your cat what to do
Grab your furry friend and place them on the cat tree. Pet them there and praise them extensively. This way, you already create a positive association with the place. Especially if the sleeping spot is new, cats sometimes don't know what to do with it.
Step 2: Confirm correct behavior
If your cat independently seeks out the cat tree, go directly to them and confirm the behavior. Depending on what your four-legged friend likes, you can pet them, praise them verbally, or treat them with a small piece of food. Our →Cream Snacks are great for this.
Step 3: Extend the time until the reward
The goal is, of course, for your indoor tiger to settle down and sleep on the cat tree rather than waiting for the next reward. Surely you don't want to get up every time to go over and give your cat a cookie. So if you feel that your cat is increasingly seeking out the cat tree on their own, prolong the moment of reward further and further. Until you don't have to confirm them for it anymore.
How do I discourage unwanted behavior?
Positive behavior is reinforced, unwanted behavior ignored? That can work, but in some cases, it is rather counterproductive. If your cats prefer to make themselves comfortable on the dining table instead of using the great new basket, ignoring it won't help. Because your indoor tiger will only get used to taking a nap there undisturbed. Instead, you should correct your cat. A correction sounds quite harsh, but it's nothing more than telling them: “Hey, I don't want that!”
A correction can look different. For example, you can clap your hands loudly or push your cat down. Don't worry, it won't hurt them, and they will definitely land on their feet. Of course, you should not cause your cat any pain or kick them! Show your indoor tiger what they should do instead. In our example, you grab them, place them in the basket, and pet them a bit. Stay consistent, and your four-legged friend will learn: Lying on the dining table = trouble, but lying in the basket = affection.
It's all a matter of motivation
A cat that is eager to train works better with you. Logically. This means you need to find out what drives your four-legged friend so that they participate voluntarily.
Since furry friends are real foodies, food is often a good motivator. But play or petting are also suitable rewards. If you're not sure, try out different things. Vary the snacks and toys as well. This way, you'll get to know your cat better and know which reward is particularly appreciated by your indoor tiger in each situation.
Clicker or marker word as a tool
A so-called marker can simplify communication between animal and human. Many cat trainers use either a clicker or a marker word like “Yes” or “Top” for this purpose. As the name suggests, a marker is used to additionally mark the desired behavior, thus reinforcing it even more clearly. It works quite simply: Whenever your cat shows the desired behavior, you click with the clicker or say the marker word and reward them immediately afterwards with a piece of food, for example. Eventually, just marking will be enough as a positive confirmation.
