Cat Training 101: Sitting
If you’ve already trained your cat to come when called, training 101 then it’s time for the next step: sitting.
Odin has mastered jumping up and down on difficult surfaces. He’s very proud every time he learns something new like landing on the top of the banister. Training is not for every cat but most enjoy it. Think of training as the ultimate in inter-active play. Every cat behaviorist recommends daily interactive play to reduce behavioral issues. But it’s also great way for cats and humans to bond, to stave off kitty boredom and to teach good social skills.
Odin has the high-strung, problem-solving intelligence of a dog like a border collie, who live to work and please. Clicker training is a popular method of training cats and dogs but I prefer not to use a clicker or wand. I believe cats are sufficiently motivated by praise and treats, reinforced by a natural sound of a voice or clapping. Clickers can fall, be lost or break. It’s not necessary to rely on props. These are my tips. Odin only receives treats while training as further motivation and association.
1) Know your cat. Don’t consider training a new member of your family right away. Allow them time to settle in. Note their routines and their favorite treat.
2) Choose the same time(s) to train initially. Be consistent. Twice a day is good but once a day is better than nothing.
3) Before mealtimes is a good time. Hunger motivates. I like do some training at bedtime. It’s works off excess energy and there’s less night time carousing.
4) Cats quickly associate the sound of the rustle of a plastic treat bag with reward. Rustle the bag, remove a treat. I usually break them in half to get more bang of the buck. I say, “Treat!” They eventually will associate “treat” with “train”.
5) Your cat’s no dummy. They know you have treat and will come over. Some trainers will place the cat on a table but again, I prefer no props. Bend or crouch down, wave the treat in front and over your cat’s head. Say, your cat’s name “Sit!” Say all commands in the same tone. It doesn’t have to be loud or sound like a drill sergeant. His will crane his neck up and to gain balance, will crouch or sit. The moment he does, say (cat’s name, sit!), give the treat, pet and/or clap your clap to reinforce the association. Praise lavishly. I say, “Good boy!” I also like to visualize the cat sitting when saying the command. If the cat almost sits but doesn’t, press their butt down gently, and say, sit. Reward and repeat several times.
6)Three treats broken in half equals six rounds. That’s a good amount of treats and training time. Don’t over do it. This supposed to be fun for both of you. Be patient and it won’t be long before your cat will sit before you have the words out of your mouth. Before or after training, combine it with other interactive play to associate training as part of play. After the sit command is well reinforced, continue reward with praise and a pat, but not always a treat.
7 Comments
Marg
Like Brian, we have our Mom trained just fine. She does everything that we need doing. It is a little hard around here since there are so many of us. There doesn’t seem to be any regular time to eat. Plus we are not big treat eaters for some reason. Don’t know why not. Anyway, we sure do applaud you for training Odin. I bet that works with him.
CATachresis
Austin says, can he get up now?
Seriously, He does come when called (mostly) I don’t think you can say I trained him, but he always associates me calling with something good. (the exception is of course, when it’s late at night, he’s out and the mice are plentiful!)
Brian
I will have to break down and see if I can train my Dad!
boomermuse
Brian, I’d say you have your dad well trained 😉
Cheysuli
Oh fascinating. The Male talked about training Ichiro to go to specific bed but he hasn’t been consistent with the training. I should love to see him train that cat to do stuff! I think it would build his confidence and the Woman is too nice to work with us regularly and well if she did it, I’d want in on it too…
Ingrid King
I agree that cats can be trained, but as you said, it’s not for every cat. I think it’s important to know your cat’s purrsonality (couldn’t resist that one!) and not try to impose doing something she doesn’t want to do on her (with the exception of trying to teach them to “come,” which can be important in emergency situations.)
I’m not a fan of the clicker, either. While I understand the principle of operand conditioning, the clicker, to me, adds an element of “brainwashing” that I just can’t get past!
Kathryn
I believe cats can be trained, too. I use a progressive training. I only use training for food or warmth or come.
First, the food words and food sounds. They do know several food words. Food. Cat food. Baby food. Catnip. Luncheon meat. Tricks like ‘uncheon eat’ don’t work.
They know the word ‘beach.’ The kitchen island with heat lamps.
Ched also knows ‘kisses’, which means he gets a belly rub. I can point to the table where I am sitting. He then prepares to jump on the table. I stare at him, then blink. He nods and raises his head and burbles. He wants me to acknowledge his request to jump. I blink again. Maybe I touch my nose or make a kissy sound or tap the table again, but I have pretty much got him down to sign language. (of course, it is something he really wants – kisses).
They do know ‘come’ if it is with me pointing my finger to where I want them to come, such as the bedroom.
I can say, ‘kisses’ and point to the bedroom and Ched goes into the bedroom. Even if I am at the table.
I was surprised to see Emma recognize what pointing my finger to the house when she would sleep outside on a cool suburban street on a hot night. (Ottawa, house sitting before Boston) I would stand in the middle of the street where she was and say.
EMMA! and then I would point to the house. She would skedaddle in the house.
Cats are like dogs for the things that are important to them, food, love, safety, warmth.