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.