Cat Training

[MystOpal]

Hey! I'm a little new, but I saw a post about dog training and couldn't help myself from posting about this, though it might be a little bit niche... Does anyone else train their cats to do tricks and stuff?



My story (feel free to skip if you just want to post yours): I got my cat (Misha, but she's a girl, iykyk) and this summer I went down the training rabbit hole after seeing some videos on it on insta, and got the clicker and pouch and everything. She can sit, stand, turn, high five (whether hand with fingertips toward her or fingertips up), touch her nose to finger, and come. I'm currently working on getting her to walk outside in a harness, because she keeps trying to escape the house (it's winter and she's spayed, why is she doing that? Girl has problems.) so I figured why not. And I just started trying to get her to jump on my shoulder, which is probably my favorite trick but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Honestly, I should teach her the command stop, because she's gotten much more accustomed to biting/scratching/jumping on tables.



Anyway, that's my rant, and I hope to hear if anyone else has any experience with training their cats! I think they're honestly so smart it's a shame more people don't do it. But I think I saw a neighbor trying to walk his cat outside in front of his door once, so maybe it's gaining traction?

 

[NotabitaiI]

Accidentally trained mine to be a speed bump. He's just never had to move on his own, I always pick him up and move him so his cross eyed little self will sit in the middle of the driveway and won't move unless I get out and carry him somewhere else.

I don't know if he's actually conscious tbh...

 

[MystOpal]

Accidentally trained mine to be a speed bump. He's just never had to move on his own, I always pick him up and move him so his cross eyed little self will sit in the middle of the driveway and won't move unless I get out and carry him somewhere else.View attachment 4246786
I don't know if he's actually conscious tbh...

Ahh I would be so scared to move the car! But such a handsome speed bump. I took a look at the picture and was like, wow, I probably saw this cat in the encyclopedia of most purrrfect cats (sorry for the terrible pun, even I'm cringing).

 

[NotabitaiI]

Ahh I would be so scared to move the car! But such a handsome speed bump. I took a look at the picture and was like, wow, I probably saw this cat in the encyclopedia of most purrrfect cats (sorry for the terrible pun, even I'm cringing).

He really is so handsome
I don't mind moving him cuz he's so dang cute and floofy

 

[MystOpal]

He really is so handsome
I don't mind moving him cuz he's so dang cute and floofy

 

[Goose_the_cat]

It's so fun to hear about other cat trainers! I have been training my cat Goose on and off for a couple years now and i think he knows around 30 tricks! I use meat baby food as my training treats, and he absolutely loves it! What type of treats do you use?! Also, one of my cats' tricks include jumping onto my leg and while that is not quite jumping on my back somethings that have helped me include: training the cat to jump on a counter on command just as like a thing you know they can do on command. But then training the cat to jump on the mat (or walk onto it) while you are lying on the ground with the mat on your back (you might need some assistance with his part lol) and gradually stand up taller throughout training sessions. If you want your cat specifically jumping on your shoulder (instead of you back to walk up on your shoulder) you might try having them jump from the counter onto your shoulder, instead of trying to get them to jump from the ground, which could positionally cause injuries. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[MystOpal]

It's so fun to hear about other cat trainers! I have been training my cat Goose on and off for a couple years now and i think he knows around 30 tricks! I use meat baby food as my training treats, and he absolutely loves it! What type of treats do you use?! Also, one of my cats' tricks include jumping onto my leg and while that is not quite jumping on my back somethings that have helped me include: training the cat to jump on a counter on command just as like a thing you know they can do on command. But then training the cat to jump on the mat (or walk onto it) while you are lying on the ground with the mat on your back (you might need some assistance with his part lol) and gradually stand up taller throughout training sessions. If you want your cat specifically jumping on your shoulder (instead of you back to walk up on your shoulder) you might try having them jump from the counter onto your shoulder, instead of trying to get them to jump from the ground, which could positionally cause injuries. I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Thirty tricks is quite the repertoire! I just use some cheap treats from Kroger, my cat is willing to even come back inside for those. I'm not sure what they're called, but very similar to temptation treats but like a dollar something. I think part of it is just the cat's curiosity and boredom. She's an indoor cat so these tricks are probably a fun brain teaser for her, I'm practically a puzzle treat dispenser! Thank you so much for your suggestion with the counter and the mat, I definitely will try that. I've been a bit caught up with classes so I haven't had a chance to train her for a bit, but now that Thanksgiving Break is up around the corner I'm hoping to get back in the flow.
Do you use verbal commands or hand motion? I've been trying to get my cat to follow verbal ones like "sit" but I can't tell if she's deaf, doesn't understand, or doesn't care . The only verbal command I've got her to listen to is her name, so I guess that's good (also goose is a lovely name for a cat!). I use hand signs a lot more, but those can get pretty close to one another and she has to look to know what to do, so not the best for calling her over. Also, is your cat indoor or outdoor, and is he more of a rough sort of cat (by that I mean personality, my cat is pretty gentle, although naive would probably be more accurate, she gets in the quail cage and just sits there, more scared of the male quail than anything honestly, which is why I've never had to make the cage cat proof)? I'd love to hear about what tricks you taught your cat if you have the time!

 

[McChooky]

Hey! I'm a little new, but I saw a post about dog training and couldn't help myself from posting about this, though it might be a little bit niche... Does anyone else train their cats to do tricks and stuff?



My story (feel free to skip if you just want to post yours): I got my cat (Misha, but she's a girl, iykyk) and this summer I went down the training rabbit hole after seeing some videos on it on insta, and got the clicker and pouch and everything. She can sit, stand, turn, high five (whether hand with fingertips toward her or fingertips up), touch her nose to finger, and come. I'm currently working on getting her to walk outside in a harness, because she keeps trying to escape the house (it's winter and she's spayed, why is she doing that? Girl has problems.) so I figured why not. And I just started trying to get her to jump on my shoulder, which is probably my favorite trick but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Honestly, I should teach her the command stop, because she's gotten much more accustomed to biting/scratching/jumping on tables.



Anyway, that's my rant, and I hope to hear if anyone else has any experience with training their cats! I think they're honestly so smart it's a shame more people don't do it. But I think I saw a neighbor trying to walk his cat outside in front of his door once, so maybe it's gaining traction?

I taught both of my Siamese cats to walk on a harness. Now I can take them outside without a harness occasionally but I don't let them stay outside very long. Inside cats are easily frightened and if they bolt and run and hide you may never see them again alive.
It isn't worth the risk.I built my inside cats multiple outdoor catios with pet doors attached to the house so they can go outside any time they want but they aren't allowed to run loose-ever.

 

[MystOpal]

I taught both of my Siamese cats to walk on a harness. Now I can take them outside without a harness occasionally but I don't let them stay outside very long. Inside cats are easily frightened and if they bolt and run and hide you may never see them again alive.
It isn't worth the risk.I built my inside cats multiple outdoor catios with pet doors attached to the house so they can go outside any time they want but they aren't allowed to run loose-ever.

That's wonderful! Yeah, I get the skittishness. My cat definitely has not gotten to the point of off the leash walking, but even with the leash she's scared out of her mind of the outdoors. I wouldn't even make her go outside except that she keeps trying to run out of the house without the leash as well. The catio idea sounds so cool. Your cat is so pretty! What're their names?