Clicker training is an exercise that is often used in dogs. However, cats can be trained with a clicker just as easily as using a clicker on a dog. Clicker training relies on associating the clicking sound with food or other rewards given to your animal for good behavior. Teaching your cat this process consistently and patiently will allow you to teach your cat new tricks in no time.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting Ready to Train Your Cat
Step 1. Buy a clicker
The clicker is a small plastic box that has a metal button. A click will sound when you press the button. You can buy it online or at a pet store, and it doesn't cost as much as Rp. 13,000.00. This tool is usually used to train dogs and cats.
- It would be better if you use a clicker specially designed for training animals. But if you don't have a clicker, you can make a clicking sound by using your mouth or with a pen.
- If your cat is deaf, you can use a pen lamp to achieve the same result.
Step 2. Prepare the food in your hands
For this exercise to work, you need to reward your cat. Common rewards are foods like tuna or deli turkey and you can immediately give them when your cat behaves well. If the gift you give is food, then the food should be cut into small pea-sized pieces.
Some cats will respond well to affection or toys
Step 3. Look for the target item
Use an object that resembles a stick, such as a pen or spoon. This tool should be easy to recognize for your cat and used for practice only. Eventually, your cat will follow this object as a target. So, don't place your training spoon on the table so your cat doesn't climb on the table to follow the training spoon.
- You can make a target stick by poking a ping pong ball into the tip of a pencil or chopstick.
- Do not use food as a target, as this will teach your cat to perform tricks only if food is present. Ultimately, you'll want your cat to be able to do tricks without food (though you'll still need to give treats every now and then).
Step 4. Find a good time to practice
Take 5 minutes for each training session and do this several times a day. Wait until your cat is active and hungry (about 20 – 30 minutes before mealtime). Your cat will be more interested in the food reward and will respond better to the exercise you provide.
Step 5. Start in a quiet location
Begin your practice in a quiet location with no distractions. If you have other pets, try putting them outdoors first or in a different room when you train your cat.
Part 2 of 4: Linking Clicks to Rewards
Step 1. Sit on the floor with your cat
Lower your body until you are as tall as your cat to
Step 2. Use clicker and give gifts
Throw food for your cat when you make a clicking sound at the same time. This will start to connect thoughts to your cat that a click means food will be given.
Do not sound the clicker at any other time. You need to make up your cat's mind to link the clicking sound to food, so don't click when your cat is eating, looking at you, or looking away from you. Sound the clicker only if you want to reward food
Step 3. Repeat clicking the clicker and giving the reward several times
Wait for your cat to finish eating the treat and see you back before you start again. Sound your clicker and throw in the prize food again. Let your cat finish eating the treat before you start again. Try this process several times. Stop after 5 minutes and give your cat a break.
If your cat suddenly loses interest, it may be that your gift isn't that great. Try to find a better gift
Step 4. Throw a small amount of food gifts and sound the clicker at the same time
Continue to associate the click with the reward, but use your cat's attention to the food reward to establish a stronger link between the click and the food reward. Your cat will want to eat the gift but she will have to work hard to get it (here, your cat will have to walk a little towards you. But later on, your cat will have to do tricks to get the food).
Step 5. Don't talk to your cat while doing this
Do not talk to your cat or use verbal cues when you are in this early stage. The clicking sound should be the clearest signal.
Clicks are also easier for animals to recognize than verbal cues like, “Cats are smart.” Your timing may not be right and your cat may respond to your tone of voice differently each time. In contrast to the click sound which is fast and consistent
Part 3 of 4: Introducing the Target
Step 1. Strengthen the connection between the click and the food reward slowly
At first, every time you start a new training session, reinforce the link between the click sound and the food reward by pressing the clicker and giving your cat a treat. This will remind your cat of the connection between the click and the reward.
Step 2. Connect the click sound with the target
Bring your target item to your cat. Be prepared to press clicks when your cat starts moving toward the target or shows interest in the target. For example, your cat may look at the target, lean against the target, approach the target, or smell the target. Make a click when your cat smells the target or makes other target-related movements. After that, give gifts of food.
- Hide the target between clicks so your cat only sees the target when you click and reward your cat with the target.
- A click will let your cat know when he did something right. In this state, the right thing to do is to get closer to the target. Using the clicker as a signal for the target reward will keep your cat from getting confused. If you toss your cat a treat when he sees the target, your cat's attention will immediately be diverted and your cat will focus on the treat instead. All you have to do is make your cat connect with a click, food will come. But he had to think what he had to do to get the gift of food.
Step 3. Try it a few times
When he's finished eating, raise the target back up and click when your cat moves toward it. Give him food gifts right away when he does. Your cat will start to associate the target with the food and your cat will try different moves to get the food.
If your cat is only looking at the target, bring the target closer to its face. Most cats will approach him and kiss him. When your cat does this, clicker, then immediately give the treat
Step 4. Wait for your cat to touch the target
Once your cat has associated the click (and food reward) with the target, encourage your cat to come back for something more. For example, wait for your cat to rub his face on the target before you press the clicker and give him a treat.
Step 5. Move the target
Now, you can start moving the target so your cat will move too. Encourage your cat to step towards the target. When your cat looks at the target every time you point it out, try getting your cat to step toward the target. When your cat steps on the target, clicker, then immediately give the reward.
Try moving the target a little further. When your cat follows the target, make a clicker and immediately give the treat. Giving exercise gradually is a form of productive exercise. This is because your cat won't be able to do all these tricks right away on the first try. Give treats when your cat moves slightly in the right direction. As you continue to train him, reward your cat with each time he gets closer to the target until he hits the target
Step 6. Repeat this exercise several times a day
The maximum time used for each training session is 5 minutes. If your cat begins to lose interest and becomes quiet after 10-15 clicks, stop the training session. Eventually, you'll probably be able to get your cat to walk across the room toward the target.
Part 4 of 4: Introducing Verbal Gestures
Step 1. Decide on the verbal cues you will use for each of your cat's tricks
Clickers are a great way to let your cat know that she's doing something right. Meanwhile, verbal cues can be used when your cat has learned a few tricks, to help her understand what kind of trick you want her to do. Verbal cues must be firm and clear. The verbal cues you use should be words you don't use with other pets or words you don't use very often in everyday conversation.
Use logical words to get your cat to do something. You can use the word “Jump!” when your cat jumps over something. You can use the word “Here!” when your cat walks towards you
Step 2. Teach your cat to come up to you
Sit on the floor and hold the target. If your cat responds to a target by walking toward the target, try holding the target in front of you and saying, "Here!" at the same time. When your cat approaches the target (and you), make a clicker and give it a reward.
- Try this several times in different places in your home. Make sure you sound the clicker and give a reward every time..
- If your cat doesn't understand or is confused, revert to the previous type of exercise. End the exercise by getting your cat to do the right thing and try the trick he failed at another time.
- Remember to try these training sessions for only 5 minutes at a time.
Step 3. Teach your cat to sit
Hold the food above its head in your closed hand. When your cat sees it, put your hands behind your back. Most cats will sit up naturally so that their head is still following the food. When your cat sits down (or begins to sit up), click on a clicker, say “Sit,” and give her a treat.
Repeat several times a day
Step 4. Ignore tricks performed without verbal cues
Verbal cues suggest that if your cat performs a certain trick, it will receive a treat. If your cat does this on her own, don't give her any treats. Don't click the clicker and don't give food gifts. At this stage of practice, ignore the tricks he performs without verbal cues. This will allow your cat to associate verbal cues with clickers and food rewards.
Step 5. Repeat this process with another trick
As you continue to train your cat, he will understand more new commands and will better understand the different verbal cues for different tricks. At some point, you may not need to click the clicker or give away food rewards anymore.
Tips
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Be patient. Don't jump right into a new trick your cat isn't ready to do.
- It is better to do a short but frequent exercise rather than a long one.
- Practice good behavior by using the clicker and giving rewards. For example, you can also use a clicker to train your cat to scratch the posts instead of scratching the furniture. When he scratches the pole, make a direct clicker when he does and reward him with food. Never sound the clicker when your cat does something you don't want it to.
- Remember, the clicker sound is not a gift. If you sound the clicker, you must give a food reward.
