How To Train Your Kitten

“Dogs are so smart, they can be trained… but cats? No way!“

Hmph, so they think! We cats are smarter – we just need the right motivation. We won't do it to please anyone, unlike these dogs. If we like the rewards and find the trick interesting, we’ll do some amazing tricks and even take part in agility tournaments (cat gymnastics)!

Cats aren’t dogs, so of course there are differences between the way you would train us versus how you’d train a dog! Us cats are loners by habit, so we aren’t driven to work in partnership with our pet humans (that’s right, I said it!) and praise only goes so far with us.

My pet-parents taught me how to do all of these things :  

1. Toilet training : It’s the first step and it isn’t really a trick. Most of us cats pick this up really fast - I began to use my litter box within a couple of days of training, unlike dogs who take about a month to get potty trained. We can also be trained to use the human toilet and flush when we finish. Ain’t that something?
2. Come when called : We do respond to our names, and come when called although most cats are embarrassed to admit it. It takes us a little time, but is easier when we are called by our name at feeding time, and gradually we’ll come even when food isn’t the incentive.
3. Shake hands : Yeah, we can shake a paw or give you a hi-five! I learnt when my pet-dad would tap my paw and say “Amber – shake” and reward me every time I lifted my paw. After some sessions I could do it without treats.
4. Walk on a leash : It might look funny to those who’ve never seen a cat be taken for a walk, but my pet-parents got me a harness with leash and taught me well. They first left it around near me, till I got used to seeing it. Then they would just put it on me till I got used to it. Once I got comfortable with it, they attached the leash to it and after a few days of training I could walk out with them on a leash.
5. Fetch : This one surprises everyone! My pet-dad taught me this by throwing  a small paper ball, and saying “Amber – fetch!” At first I would just run to catch the ball. But he would keep repeating “Fetch” till I brought it to him, and soon enough, I understood. Now whenever he throws anything and says “Amber –  fetch” I know what he wants me to do.

My smart pet-parents used these cool ways to train me :
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• Positive reinforcement and not negative punishment
• Lots of practice and patience
• Treats as rewards
• One trick at a time

Besides being trained to do tricks, us cats can also learn to stop unwanted behaviour. More on that when we meet next time. Meow until then!