A clicker is a device that makes [...]]]> Many people will argue that it is difficult to train a cat. They believe that cats are not like dogs when it comes to trainability. Well…  Those people are wrong!  There is one very effective dog training method that works wonderfully on cats:  The Clicker Training method.

A clicker is a device that makes a “click” sound. By sounding a “click” and giving your cat a reward when he behaves in a certain way, you condition your pet to associate the click with the the desired behavior. The reward is typically a small tasty treat.

So how does this work?

It’s really quite simple, even with cats. First, you have to determine what behavior you want your cat to perform. When he does it, you make a sound using the clicker and give your cat a treat. If he doesn’t do what you want him to do, you don’t click and you don’t give out the treat. You simply ignore him. You have to repeat this many times until your cat associates the behavior with the treat. It is important to use the clicker the instant the cat does the thing you want him to do so that the conditioning will work. This method is designed not to fail because cats, like most animals, will do any action that produces a desirable result. In this case, the result is getting a meaty, fishy treat.

In due time, you’ll no longer have to give out treats. By hearing the click alone, your cat will behave in a way you want him to because he is expecting a treat.  If he behaves a certain way just by hearing the click, you have trained him. There is no need to give him a treat, unless of course you want to spoil him…

Remember to start out with simple cat clicker training tricks.  As time goes on, your cat will become more accustomed to the idea of the clicker and the rewards associated with it.

Give this method a go and let me know how it works for ya!