Can you train a cat to do tricks?
Teaching tricks to your cat and depending on the trick, the task can be easy one. Jumping in a hoop, or over a stick, sitting, or meowing, are all good tricks to teach them. With the different tricks, this will help show behaviors that you approve of. Also, could help keep the cat from climbing on furniture, drapes, and counter.
When training a cat a new trick, you will want to reward the cat with something that the cat can identify with, for the behavior. A good healthy treat is a good reward sources, small liver biscuits or a simple massage is another good way for your cat to know that this is a good behavior. You will want to keep the snack simple and small and some times, they may earn more than one treat. By touching your cat, petting, massage, or just holding your cat, this is a way that both of you and your cat can show each other’s affection. Once the cat learns a new trick or behavior, then you will be able to reduce the snack. In addition, in time you will not have to reward your cat for tricks or behaviors that you had taught them.
Let us look at a new trick getting your cat to jump over a stick. Each time the cat jumps over the stick you will want to reward them. Another good reason you want to teach your cat to jump over the stick, and hopefully this will help if your cat is not jumping off the counter top or table.
First, get your cat near the stick and let them explore the stick. Next, you will want to coax your cat to step over the stick A good way to do this is put a piece of pop corn on the opposite side of the stick , from where the cat is. Each time your cat takes a step over the stick, you can reward them with a treat. Continue in steps to play with the cat and the stick. Continue to raise the stick so that the cat can eventually jump over the stick in order to get the piece of pop corn. If the cat does not jump over then no treat is given. Remember to reward your cat when they do the step to a new trick Finally they will be able to do the full trick with knowing that there will be a treat on the other side.
Another trick that is simple to train your cat is to get the cat’s favorite small toy, put a piece of yarn around it, and drag the toy on the floor. You cat should be following the toys and should be jumping at it as if it was hunting. Cats love to play hunt with things that move. They will pounce, jump, and run after it.
Teaching your cat to sit at right times is another trick to teach them. There are different ways that this can be done. Teach your cat its proper name first then use the sit teaching this will be much easier. Training a cat to sit can be done the same way as training other pet animals to sit. You may have to take the cat and get it to sit first by positioning it in the sitting position, and give treat for the good work.
Teaching cats new tricks can be fun. Remember to be patience and kind to your cat and your cat will be your friend for ever.