Bringing a new feline friend into your home is an exciting experience, and teaching them essential skills like coming when called can significantly enhance your adventures together. This skill is particularly crucial for “adventure cats” who might explore the outdoors. If your cat ever slips out of a harness or pulls away from a leash, you’ll be thankful for practicing this command. For cats who are naturally timid or new to training, starting with basic behaviors through clicker training, as recommended by the ASPCA, can be a great foundation. Skills like touching their nose to a finger, sitting, or lying down can be taught before moving on to more complex commands like coming when called.
It’s highly probable that your cat already understands the concept of coming when called, perhaps not to their name, but to the distinct sound of a treat bag crinkling or a can of food being opened. Veterinary behaviorist E’Lise Christensen suggests building upon this existing strong association. The key is to pair your chosen verbal cue with a sound or action your cat already responds to.
First, decide on a consistent way you will call your cat. This could be a specific way of saying their name, their name followed by “come,” or a general call like “Here kitty, kitty.” Consistency is vital, especially if multiple people in the household will be calling the cat, to avoid confusion.
[Never underestimate the power of a treat. (Photo: Robert Couse-Baker/flickr)
Next, help your cat connect your call with a positive reward. Begin by standing right next to your cat. Say their name, immediately follow it with the sound of the treat bag, and then offer a treat. Once your cat begins to understand that your call leads to a tasty reward, you can gradually increase the distance from which you call them.
Start by moving a few feet away. Call your cat’s name, then crinkle the treat bag. As soon as they come to you, provide a treat. If you’re using clicker training, the click sound can also serve as positive reinforcement when they perform the desired behavior. As your cat becomes more consistent, progressively increase the distance they need to travel to receive their reward.
Once your cat has mastered this at a short distance, practice calling them from different rooms. You can also practice during times when they are more easily distracted. If another person is available, have them participate by calling the cat back and forth between the two of you, each time with a treat reward. If your cat is already leash trained, take the practice outdoors. Call them while they are engaged in sniffing or eating grass, rewarding them when they respond. This helps them master the skill in an environment that closely simulates situations where their quick response is truly essential.
Tips for Successful Training
- Keep sessions brief: Aim for training sessions no longer than five minutes to maintain your cat’s focus and engagement.
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to helping your cat maintain this newly learned skill.
- Avoid punishment: Never punish your cat for not coming when called. Cats are motivated by positive reinforcement, not discipline. Punishment can lead to stress, fear, and behavioral issues.
- Always reward: Even if your cat takes a long time to respond, always offer a treat when they finally come. As Christensen notes, it’s not a natural behavior for cats to come when called in the wild, so it’s a skill worth rewarding generously.
- Don’t call for negative experiences: Avoid calling your cat’s name when you intend to give medication or take them to the vet. In such cases, it’s better to go and retrieve your cat. Associating their name with unpleasant events can make them hesitant to come when it’s truly important.
Training a Deaf Cat
Deafness can stem from various causes, and some cats, particularly those that are all-white with blue eyes, are born deaf. However, a lack of hearing doesn’t prevent a cat from learning to come when called. Instead of a verbal cue, you’ll need to utilize a visual cue. Options include using a penlight or flashlight, flickering the room lights, or using a hand wave. Stomping your foot on the floor can also create vibrations your cat can feel. Choose the visual cue that works best for your cat and use it consistently, always remembering to reward them when they respond.
