Teaching a cat to come over when called is a useful trick. It can also be useful for security issues. If the cat goes out, or if you have to leave the house because of an emergency, the cat should be able to come when called. Training a cat takes patience and consistency. Choose the right gift and train the cat every day. Over time, the cat will come when called without any hesitation.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Exercise
Step 1. Look for gifts
If you want your cat to come to you when called, you will have to give a treat. Unlike dogs, cats don't always try to please their owners. If your cat doesn't feel that she's being rewarded for good behavior, she won't want to do anything about it.
- Food is highly recommended as a gift. Most cats will do something for a treat or food they like. Choose something other than daily food. Get a special snack from the store or give him some meat or tuna. You may have to do a few tries and fail first to find the type of food your cat likes.
- While most cats love food, there are cats who are not very interested. If your cat isn't interested in food, replace the treat with a special toy, favorite brush, or even a pet that cats love.
Step 2. Define the call
Make a unique call to signal that the cat should come to you. Choose something that is not a colloquial phrase. A cat's name, for example, is a poor choice for a nickname because you'll be saying it in situations where the cat doesn't have to come. This can be confusing. Think of a unique phrase or sound you can use to get the cat to come.
- Sounds can also be used. You can say, "Ki-ki-ki!" in a high tone. You can also make a clicking or squeaking sound. A whistle can also be used.
- You can also choose phrases that aren't spoken very often. You could try saying, "Come here!" or “Snacks!” or “Tuna!”.
Step 3. Establish a positive connection between the vote and the prize
After selecting the sound and reward, start building positive connections. If you want your cat to come when you hear a certain sound, you have to make sure that it associates that sound with something positive. Call and give food, snacks, toys, or petting as a gift. If you use food as a gift, you should call it before dinner.
Part 2 of 3: Making Habits
Step 1. Call the cat and then give it a gift
Once the rewards and encouragement are given, you can start practice time. To begin with, start calling the cat. Give him a treat as a reward when he responds.
- Stand a few feet from the cat. Call the cat. It will be more useful to show the gift when you summon it. For example, you could shuffle a bag of treats or shake the toy in front of you.
- Once the cat comes to you, give it a treat. Give him a treat or toy, pet him, comb his fur or give him a gift you prepared.
- Don't be surprised if the cat takes a while to arrive at first. It will take some time for your cat to learn that it should approach you when it hears your call. Be patient. Keep calling him until the cat knows he has to come.
Step 2. Add distance
Once the cat has come close to you, start increasing the distance. Take a few steps back when calling the cat. Try to call him from another room. You can also call him when he's distracted. Remember that cats need to be able to be summoned in a variety of situations. Enlarging the distance and enriching the situation can help develop this habit.
Step 3. Try to practice it before mealtime
Once your cat has started to understand commands, you can start training it. If you use food as a reward, your cat will be more motivated when it's hungry. Try to schedule a training session about 15 minutes before mealtime.
Step 4. Give the cat a treat as soon as possible
Don't wait too long to reward a cat. Otherwise, your cat won't make the connection between the treat and your coming behavior. Once the cat comes to you, give it a treat. Animals live in immediacy. If you want your cat to understand what the command means, it must be rewarded directly.
Step 5. Practice in short sessions
Try to get into the habit of training your cat once a day. Cats tend to be more independent and have a shorter focus, so train your cat in short sessions. Try short 5-minute training sessions once or twice a day.
Step 6. Train the cat in different parts of the house
Once your cat starts coming to you in the kitchen or where you first started your workout, move to another part of the house and keep calling him. Over time, your cat will learn that it has to follow your voice.
Step 7. Slowly wean the cat off the treat
Once your cat starts coming back consistently when called, replace the treat with a petting, scratching behind the ear, or other kind of positive attention. Too many treats or treats as a reward can cause a cat to gain weight. Cats should approach when called in any situation while you don't always have treats on hand.
- After your cat responds to your call, give the cat the same treat three times every four tries, then reduce by half, then a third, and so on until you only give the cat an occasional treat.
- Continue to use gifts that are not food. Over time, your cat will understand that he has to come when he is called, even if there is no treat.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Failure
Step 1. Start when the cat is small, if possible
Cats tend to learn faster when they are young. Therefore, the best time to start training your cat is when they are young. However, most people raise cats when they are adults. Adult cats can learn too, but it takes longer.
Step 2. Don't punish the cat
Don't punish your cat for not following your training, even if he only comes occasionally or never comes when he's called. Cats don't respond well to punishment. Cats can't make the connection between punishment and bad behavior and just feel that they are being treated badly. If you punish your cat, she will become stressed or unhappy at home. This can make him not want to come when called.
Step 3. Don't delay the reward if the cat responds slowly
Initially, the cat takes time to come when called. You shouldn't delay giving treats if your cat doesn't follow directions directly. The cat will feel confused and think about the relationship. Make sure you reward the cat consistently, so that it can reinforce positive associations with your calling. Reward the cat even if it responds slowly.
Step 4. Don't use commands in negative situations
Don't use commands for anything that could create a negative situation. Poor associations can make cats hesitant to come when called.
