Cats are independent creatures and we tend not to think of them as being good candidates for training but they are also incredibly intelligent and many are happy to learn various behaviours if a good reward is waiting for them.
This is exactly what cat clicker training is based on. Read on to find out more about this method of training your cat and whether it is something your cat might enjoy to add interest to their day.
What is cat clicker training?
Clicker training is an easy and rewarding way to shape your cat's behaviour and even teach them a few useful tricks. A small plastic clicker device is used to identify the good behaviour you want your cat to learn. The clicking sound is immediately followed by a special cat treat rewarding the feline for performing well.
A sound is used – usually in the form of a small plastic device that makes a clicking sound - to identify the behaviour you want your cat to repeat. The sound is immediately followed by a treat, linking the behaviour that ‘earned’ the click, with the reward.
Why use a clicker for cat training?
There are a few reasons why using a clicker is more effective than just rewarding with your voice.
Your cat hears your voice all the time and so it isn’t a novel sound that they can easily link to a specific action that they have done. The click is immediate and so you can ‘mark’ a behaviour that you like very accurately.
It is easy to link the click to a treat – so that the click always means ‘a treat is coming’. It’s that consistent relationship between the sound and the reward, that will clearly identify whatever your cat is doing at that exact moment and encourage them to repeat it to earn more clicks and so more treats.
This ‘hands off’ cooperative method of training is ideal for cats who will not hang around to be pushed or pulled into positions – or be told off for not doing what you want! It’s enjoyable and fun – and there are delicious treats on offer.
What treats to use for cat clicker training?
Effective cat clicker training precisely pinpoints the behaviour you want your cat to repeat by immediately associating it with the treat. The treats you choose however have to be ones that your cat finds totally irresistible so that they are motiviated to ‘work’ for them. Choose small delicious healthy treats that are easy and fast for your cat to eat. Something that takes ages to crunch and chew can break up the flow of your training – and something that is too big, will fill your cat up too quickly. Take into consideration the extra calories you will be adding to the daily intake to make sure you manage their weight appropriately.
Also find a clicker that isn’t too loud. Often ones that are used for dogs are quite harsh sounding and that can be worrying for more sensitive cats.
How does cat clicker training work?
Cat clicker training is based on the principles of positive reinforcement. Just like us, cats will repeat behaviours that have resulted in a positive outcome. You can teach your cat that doing a specific action will make you click the clicker and that will produce a treat. This makes repeating that behaviour beneficial for the cat. The click makes it very clear exactly what that behaviour was.
The first thing to do is link the click with a reward. Take some time when there are no distractions and your cat is awake and active, and click the clicker and immediately give your cat a treat. Repeat this as many times as it takes for your cat to start to look for the treat as soon as they hear the clicker. Now you are ready to begin clicker training.
Decide what you want to train your cat to do first. Start with something simple – like looking at you when you ask them to.
. Have your cat’s favourite treat handy, say the word that you want them to respond to, and as soon as they complete the required action, click the clicker and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your cat understands what you want – and how they can ‘earn’ the click and the treat.
Or you can click and reward something they do naturally so that they will repeat it when you ask
Using a target stick
A target stick is exactly as it sounds – a stick with something soft on the end that your cat can touch or follow. Place a target stick close to your cat and let them sniff it. As soon as they do so, click and give them a treat. Keep moving the target further away to encourage them follow it.
Once your cat has got this under their belt (which might take a few minutes or a few weeks!), you can start to add a cue word as well. For example, as your cat is approaching the end of the stick, say ‘sniff’, then click and reward. After a few repetitions over a couple of weeks, you will notice the word cue will be enough to spur your cat into action. This is a really useful way to be able to encourage your cat to move around or to different places.
What tricks to teach using cat clicker training?
Use cat clicker training to teach your cat to sit. This is a good starting point and often a building block for teaching them other skills like high five or ‘meerkating’.
You can use the target stick to encourage your cat to jump over objects and get more active.
As demonstrated by the countless cat videos online, cats can fetch too. Grab your clicker, some treats, a soft ball that your cat can easily pick up (or even a ball of paper to start with) and start clicker training. Build their skills up gradually by teaching them to touch the ball at first, then to chase the ball and then ultimately to bring it back to you.
Once your cat understands clicker training, you can be really inventive in what you can teach them depending how active they are and how mich they enjoy it – and the best thing is that it is rewarding and enjoyable for you both. It can add enrichment into their lives too by giving them an opportunity to use their brains as well as their bodies.
Top tips for cat clicker training
- Check your cat’s reaction to the sound of the click before you begin training. Some cats might not like the clicking noise or find it frightening. If you have a cat that is sensitive to sounds, you can put the clicker in your pocket to muffle it.
- Follow the click with a treat every time, even if you clicked at the wrong moment. The clicker only works because it always predicts a treat. This will help create a strong link in your cat’s brain between the sound and the reward.
- If you find your cat is not very interested in click training, the treat might not be delicious enough to warrant the effort. Try a few different ones until you find ones that your cat is motivated to work for.
- Don’t speak during the click-treat routine otherwise your cat might get confused. Let the click be the only signal they hear in that moment.
- All cats are different. Some love the opportunity to work with you and learn new skills – and get an enriching outlet for their active brains and bodies. Others are really not so interested! Be guided by your cat as to whether this is something they are going to enjoy.
For more information on teaching your cat new things, read our guide to litter-training your cat.
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