Cats are very intelligent animals that, just like dogs, we can teach tricks. With patience any cat can learn simple tricks. If your cat is young it may be easier but even an adult cat can perform tricks with the right motivation.
It is a very rewarding experience that will bring you and your cat much closer. You will have to have some patience to observe the results but in no time you will be showing off your cat's skills.
In this article on our site we will explain how to teach your cat to sit, normally and on his hind legs.
How do I teach you tricks
You must choose a time of day when the cat is active. Don't wake him up to do tricks. It must be a moment of play between the two. You will need to go through several training sessions before your kitten understands what you are asking of it.
Use always the same command for the same trick, you can choose any word, but it must always be the same. " Sienta ", " Sit " or " Seated " are some of the options you can use for this command.
Use something your cat loves as a reward, otherwise your cat will lose interest right away. You can use cat treats or some canned food. You can also use small pieces of chicken. The main thing is that your cat likes it a lot and gets its attention.
You can use a "Clicker", combined with the reward. This small device emits a sound that your cat will associate with the reward.
If you want to know more about tricks for cats, also read tricks to teach your cat.
Sit on command
It's the easiest trick you can teach your cat. You can teach him two variations of this trick.
Seated:
Cat sits and stays on command. It is the usual sitting posture of our cat. It is the easiest trick with which you can start training your cat.
Standing on its legs:
In this position the cat stands on its hind legs, lifting the front ones. You can start with the first one and once you master it move on to the next one.
Training Session
To teach your cat to sit on its two hind legsyou should follow these tips:
- Get your cat's attention. He should be active and calm, in an environment he knows
- Raise the treat above your cat without it being able to reach it.
- Say " Arriba ", " Up " or the word of your choice.
- Don't let him reach for the food and tell him "No" if he tries to touch it with his paw or reach with his mouth.
- He will gradually adapt his body posture depending on the distance of the reward.
- When he stands still on his paws it's time to give him the treat.
You will need several sessions for your cat to understand. Although everything depends on each cat, some understand it right away and others will need a little more time.
Remember to be patient and avoid yelling or scolding your cat. Teaching him something new should be fun for both of you. If you get tired and lose interest during a session, it's best to leave it for another time.
Seated
Teaching him to sit is even easier than the previous trick. The posture we want is more natural, so your cat will immediately sit down under your command.
The training sessions will be very similar to the one described above. Use a different word such as "Sit", "Down" or whatever you choose. You won't need to try multiple distances. The gist of this trick is that you don't try to grab the reward. He must sit and wait for you to give it to him.
You can use this trick in many situations and gradually you can remove the rewards. Although it is always convenient to repeat a training session from time to time and reward it.
Be patient
Remember that each animal is unique, each one has its own personality and character. Any cat can learn tricks but it won't take them all the same time.
You must be patient and take it easy, even if your cat understands everything quickly, you will need to repeat some training on a regular basis. This will keep you motivated and won't stop doing tricks after a while.
Never get angry with your cat if he doesn't obey, or gets tired while training. You must understand his character and adapt to him a little. Stimulate him with his favorite foodto train and watch his interest resurface. Always use positive reinforcement.
Tips
- Use 10 minute training sessions.
- Always use positive reinforcement.
- Be patient and constant, you will surely succeed.
