Essential Cat Behavior Training Techniques Explained
Clicker training is a widely recognized method for training dogs, yet it's surprisingly underutilized in cats, often due to the misconception that felines cannot be effectively trained with this technique. The core principle, known in psychology as positive reinforcement, involves rewarding the cat with something it enjoys to encourage the desired behavior.
While kittens may be easier to train, older cats can be just as responsive! Let's dive into the process:
Preparation:
1 Clicker x1
1 Liquid treat x1
For multicat households, it's best to isolate the cat for training, perhaps in a separate room.
Building the Foundation:
Associate the clicker with food: Click → Food
Repeat this sequence multiple times until the cat responds to the clicker.
Assessment:
Test the cat's response when it's distracted: If it looks at you when it hears the clicker, you've succeeded. If not, continue training.
Advanced Training (TwoStep Connection):
Nose touch → Click → Treat
The trainer touches the cat's nose with a finger → Click → Treat
Continue until the cat initiates the nose touch → Click → Treat
Assessment:
Check if the cat will touch the finger even when the trainer moves to a different position or the cat is distracted.
If the cat starts to act disinterested, it might be tired or not interested in the treats anymore. It's time to end the session for the day.
Day 1 is just the beginning. It's important to reinforce training over the next few days.
Important Notes:
1. In multicat households, train each cat separately.
2. Choose a treat that the cat loves, ideally in liquid form, and use it sparingly to avoid weight gain.
3. Train before meals to make the treats more enticing.
4. Do not reward the cat if it does not meet the criteria.
5. Avoid overwhelming the cat with too many skills at once; teach one skill at a time.
6. If the cat frequently loses focus, take a break from the training session.
7. Increase the frequency of training sessions.
In China, the concept of "scientific cat care" is often limited to physical health, with a limited understanding of cats' behaviors and psychology. Clicker training not only teaches fun skills but also helps cats to follow their owners, adapt to travel in a carrier, and even cooperate with grooming and medication. Many behaviors don't need to be强迫 (coerced), which can lead to both frustration for the cat and the owner. By using proper guidance, you can deepen the bond, help the cat understand that certain actions or items are not threatening, and encourage them to happily comply with the owner's requests.
