Training a cat to do tricks

Are the tricks that your cat are doing, are these tricks that
you approve of your cat doing or are they bad habits or
behaviors? Did you know that you are able to teach a cat the
difference between good tricks and bad tricks?

Teaching tricks to your cat and depending on the trick, the task
can be easy one. Jumping in a hoop, or over a stick, sitting, or
meowing, are all good tricks to teach them. With the different
tricks, this will help show behaviors that you approve of. Also,
could help keep the cat from climbing on furniture, drapes, and
counter.

When training a cat a new trick, you will want to reward the cat
with something that the cat can identify with, for the behavior.
A good healthy treat is a good reward sources, small liver
biscuits or a simple massage is another good way for your cat to
know that this is a good behavior.

You will want to keep the snack simple and small and some times,
they may earn more than one treat. By touching your cat,
petting, massage, or just holding your cat, this is a way that
both of you and your cat can show each other’s affection. Once
the cat learns a new trick or behavior, then you will be able to
reduce the snack. In addition, in time you will not have to
reward your cat for tricks or behaviors that you had taught them.

Let us look at a new trick getting your cat to jump over a
stick. Each time the cat jumps over the stick you will want to
reward them. Another good reason you want to teach your cat to
jump over the stick, and hopefully this will help if your cat is
not jumping off the counter top or table.

First, get your cat near the stick and let them explore the
stick. Next, you will want to coax your cat to step over the
stick A good way to do this is put a piece of pop corn on the
opposite side of the stick , from where the cat is. Each time
your cat takes a step over the stick, you can reward them with a
treat.

Continue in steps to play with the cat and the stick. Continue
to raise the stick so that the cat can eventually jump over the
stick in order to get the piece of pop corn. If the cat does not
jump over then no treat is given. Remember to reward your cat
when they do the step to a new trick Finally they will be able
to do the full trick with knowing that there will be a treat on
the other side.

Another trick that is simple to train your cat is to get the
cat’s favorite small toy, put a piece of yarn around it, and
drag the toy on the floor. You cat should be following the toys
and should be jumping at it as if it was hunting. Cats love to
play hunt with things that move. They will pounce, jump, and run
after it.

Teaching your cat to sit at right times is another trick to
teach them. There are different ways that this can be done.
Teach your cat its proper name first then use the sit teaching
this will be much easier.

Training a cat to sit can be done the same way as training other
pet animals to sit. You may have to take the cat and get it to
sit first by positioning it in the sitting position, and give
treat for the good work.

Teaching cats new tricks can be fun. Remember to be patience and
kind to your cat and your cat will be your friend for ever.