Many cat owners harbor the misconception that cats are untrainable. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Cats are remarkably intelligent, and with consistent effort and the right techniques, you can teach your feline companion a variety of engaging behaviors. The most effective method for teaching cats new tricks is clicker training. If you’re new to this, understanding the basics of clicker training is a great first step before diving into specific tricks. I would recommend that you understand the basics of clicker training first.
Clicker training, using a tool like a clicker, makes training a cat surprisingly straightforward. So, what kind of tricks can your cat master? Here are 12 ideas to get you and your furry friend started on this rewarding journey.
Foundational Tricks for Cat Training
The initial tricks you teach your cat should establish a solid base for all subsequent training. These foundational behaviors not only build your cat’s understanding but also strengthen your bond.
1. Come When Called
This is an incredibly useful trick, especially for cats who have outdoor access. Teaching your cat to respond to their name or a specific call can significantly enhance their safety, helping them avoid getting lost or encountering dangerous situations. While training outdoors presents more challenges due to numerous distractions, practicing indoors first will make it easier for your cat to learn. Consider watching a video demonstrating how to teach your cat their name and the recall command.
2. Finger Targeting
Finger targeting was the very first trick I taught my cat, Mia. This skill is invaluable as it allows you to guide your cat precisely where you want them to go. It’s also helpful for encouraging your cat to step off elevated surfaces like counters or to calmly enter their carrier. The importance of this trick is highlighted in a dedicated video tutorial.
The Simplest Trick to Teach Your Cat: Sit
Once your cat has a grasp of the basic commands, you might want to introduce tricks that are not only fun to watch but also contribute to a stronger relationship with your pet. While these might seem less practical, they significantly improve your cat’s responsiveness and deepen your connection.
The easiest trick to teach your cat is “sit.” This is a widely taught behavior for good reason; it serves as an excellent precursor to other commands and can be practically useful in various scenarios.
Teaching your cat to sit is very useful if you ever need to give your cat an examination, or to put their harness on and off.
To train your cat to sit, hold a treat slightly above their head, guiding their gaze upward. As they naturally lower their rear to sit, immediately “click” with the clicker and offer the treat as a reward. If you need visual guidance, a helpful video demonstration is available.
Five Easy Tricks to Master
These next tricks should be remarkably easy for your cat to learn, especially if they’ve already mastered coming when called, sitting, and finger targeting.
3. Shake Hands
This charming trick is guaranteed to impress your friends and family. To teach your cat to shake hands, simply extend your hand. Wait patiently for your cat to place their paw in yours. The moment they do, offer a treat and praise.
4. High Five
Similar to shaking hands, this is another enjoyable trick. Present your hand, and wait for your cat to touch it with their paw. A successful touch should be rewarded with a treat.
5. Spin
This trick is slightly more advanced but remains a fun activity your cat will likely relish. Begin by having your cat follow a treat held in your hand. As they trail the treat, begin moving your hand in a slow, circular motion. Your cat will naturally start to spin as they follow. Once they are spinning, use your clicker to mark the behavior, followed by a treat and verbal encouragement.
6. Jump Through a Hoop
This trick is sure to captivate your audience. Start by holding a hoop at a height your cat can see. Place a treat on the opposite side of the hoop, enticing your cat to jump through to reach it. After a few successful attempts, you can begin moving the hoop to different locations and heights.
7. Stand on Two Feet
This is an endearing trick that will surely delight onlookers. Hold a treat close to your cat’s nose. Gradually raise the treat upwards, encouraging your cat to stand on their hind legs to reach it. Once they achieve the pose, reward them with the treat and positive reinforcement.
Advanced Tricks for Capable Cats
After your cat has confidently mastered the initial set of tricks, it’s time to explore more complex behaviors.
8. Play Dead
This amusing trick is bound to elicit laughter. Encourage your cat to lie down on their side. Then, wait for them to roll onto their back. When they reach this position, provide a treat and praise their performance.
9. Walk on a Leash
Some cats gaze longingly out the window, a clear sign they would enjoy exploring the outdoors. There’s a quick test you can do to check if your cat will enjoy the outdoors. If your cat passes this test, they are likely to be receptive to leash walks. For this, a cat harness is essential, as collars can exert dangerous pressure on a cat’s neck and collars with breakaway features could lead to escapes. Ensure you choose the right harness and leash for your cat. Begin by letting your cat acclimate to the feel of the harness and leash indoors, using treats and playtime. As they become comfortable, gradually transition to outdoor exploration, guiding them gently.
10. Ring a Bell
This trick is ideal for cats who are naturally drawn to noisy toys. Attach a bell to your cat’s collar and reward them whenever they accidentally ring it. Eventually, you can train them to ring the bell on command, perhaps as a signal for mealtime.
11. Roll Over
This entertaining trick will impress your audience. Encourage your cat to lie down on their side, then wait for them to roll onto their back. Offer a treat and praise once they achieve this.
Tricks Unique to Cats
What truly sets feline training apart are the tricks that cats can perform, which are often beyond the capabilities or nature of dogs.
12. Sit on the Shoulder
One of my personal favorite cat-exclusive tricks is teaching them to jump onto my shoulder from a standing position and remain there. Growing up as a Pokémon fan, having my cat accompany me on my shoulder felt almost magical. A detailed guide is available to help you achieve this unique bond.
With a bit of patience and consistent practice, you can teach your cat any of these tricks. Remember to keep training sessions brief and positive, always ending on a high note. Most importantly, enjoy the process of bonding with your cat!
Ready to Elevate Your Cat Training?
Your training and bonding journey doesn’t have to end after mastering these tricks. A wealth of resources, from books to interactive games, can help you further your cat’s skills. Consider exploring options like buying a cat training book or engaging with “The Click Crusade,” a fun card game designed for clicker training cats.
The next progression, requiring a solid repertoire of tricks, is agility training. Cats are natural acrobats and can quickly learn to navigate various agility elements. Your role will be to guide them through the course efficiently. You can find a helpful free agility training guide below:
Learn Agility
Happy training!
