Kittens and Cats Are Trainable
What Cats Can Be Trained to Do Using Classical Conditioning
Nov 24, 2008
Because they are not pack animals, cats are not as amenable to training as dogs, but they can be trained to do a number of things using classical conditioning strategies – in other words, providing rewards for the desired behaviour. Repeatedly offering rewards such as treats or food when the cat does what he’s supposed to will ensure that he comes to associate a specific behaviour with the positive stimulus.
Training a Cat to Come When Called
A cat learns early on that when he hears the phonetic sounds that make up his name, good things often follow, such as food or affection. As a result, he will learn to come when called, and this behaviour will eventually become automatic with regular rewards.
Cats can also be taught to respond to a signal, such as a jingling bell. If this sound is paired with feeding, most cats will eventually learn to come in response to the signal.
Teaching a Cat to Do Tricks
Some cats can be trained to do tricks, but this usually requires a fair bit of work and patience on the part of their owners. Many cats can be trained to hunt for treats or toys, and some (particularly the more doglike breeds such as the Manx) can be taught to fetch and retrieve toys. Many owners have also been successful in training cats to jump at targets, run obstacle courses, and do a number of other tricks.
Most cats that learn to do tricks have been clicker trained. With clicker training, the clicker is paired with a positive stimulus such as food or affection until the clicker sound itself becomes a reward. Once this association has been established, the clicker sound can be used to praise the cat for success in learning a new trick or signal. Clickers can also be used to encourage cats to use the litter box or scratch post by making the clicking sound when the cat has just finished with the box or is scratching the post.
Encouraging a Cat to Walk on a Leash
Many cats can learn to walk in a harness with a leash, and this enables owners to take their cats for walks so that they can enjoy outdoor time without risking the dangers of cars, pet thieves, and predatory animals. However, if this training isn’t conducted properly, the cat may just dig in his heels and refuse to budge.
Training a Cat to Use the Litter Box - Common Mistakes
Owners often make mistakes when training their cats to use the litter box. Common mistakes include:
- Punishing or scolding the cat for having an accident outside the litter box
- Placing the litter box in a high-traffic area of the house
- Allowing other animals or children to bother the cat while using the box
These mistakes can cause a cat to become fearful of his litter box and to urinate or defecate in inappropriate places as a result. If a cat has developed a litter box phobia, purchasing a new box and brand of litter and locating the box in a different place can help to break the association.
If inappropriate toileting or other problem behaviours persist, consulting an animal psychologist to obtain behavioural therapy is recommended. Such therapies have proven highly successful with cats.
Cat Training
- For harness training tips, see Leash Training Cats.
- For information on how to discourage a cat from scratching furniture and train him to use a scratch post, see Cats and Furniture Scratching.
- See Teaching a Kitten to Use the Litter Box for information on litter training and solving common litter box problems.
Reference:
- Sands, David, Dr. (2005). Cats: 500 Questions Answered. London: Octopus Publishing Group.
