One of the simpler tricks for a cat tolearn is giving a handshake.
Teaching Your Cat to Respond to a Clicker1Obtain a clicker.A clicker is a small plastic box that contains a strip of stiff metal. When pressed, the metal makes a distinctive "click-clack" noise. Clickers can be obtained in most pet stores.The theory behind clicker training is that the cat will learn to link a sound(click-clack) with a reward (tasty treat). The nice thing about a clicker that it is a distinct sound which is only associated with a reward. Thus,the cat is much more likely to respond..Although you can train a cat using just words, it can be more difficult. Because you use words in everyday speech not directed at your cat, the cat probably won't pay a lot of attention to them. Furthermore, if you use a command word such as"shake," the cat will likely hear the word in other contexts and not knowwhen it is expected to respond.
Find a treat your cat enjoys.Cats can be picky eaters, and a treat that one cat enjoys may be of little interestto another. Training will go faster and more easily if you determine in advance what kinds of treats your cat enjoys most.
You may want to try buying a small amount of several different cat treats to try them out and see what your cat likes best.
Chose a training time.The ideal time for a clicker session is when the cat is relaxed but not asleep, and sitting near you. You can start any time whenthe cat is paying attention.If your cat has just woken up, it may be groggy. If this is the case, give the cat five minutes or so before youbegin training.
Train with the clicker.Once the cat looks alert, press the clicker and give it a treat. Repeat this several times over a period of about five minutes.Cats only have a short attention span, so don't try to continue your clicker session beyond about five minutes.
Repeat the session.Later in the day, or the next day, do another clicker session. Continue repeating these sessions regularly until your cat associates the sound of the clicker with a treat.Each cat learns at a different pace, but most will figure out the link between the clicker and the treat after two or three five-minute sessions.Be consistent, repeating the clicker session once or twice a day, every day, until the cat makes the association.You will be able to recognize when your cat has discovered the connection, because it will gaze at you expectantly and perhaps lick its lips after your press the clicker.
Training Your Cat to Shake1Choose a time and place to train your cat.Once your cat has linked the clicker and a treat, pick a time when itis attentive but relaxed. Just before you would normally feed your cat is a particularly good time, because the promise of treats to a hungry cat will sharpen its responses.
Work in a peaceful place with few distractions so that the cat concentrates solely on you.
Click and reward.Press your clicker and give the cat a treat to remind it of the connection between the clicker and the food.
Command before the click.When the cat starts to frequently lift its paw on its own, try giving the command "shake" without the click. When it places the paw in your hand, then click and reward.
The click promises a reward, and thecommand tells the cat the required action to get it. Your goal is to get the cat to respond to "shake" without the click because it associates the command with a treat.
Reduce the treats over time.Eventually, it will become unnecessary to give a reward each time the trick is performed.
However, do reward the cat at least every three to four times so it doesn't get disheartened.
Always conclude each session with a treat. Ending the session with a treat gives the cat consistent, positive reinforcement of the desiredbehavior.
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