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Although some cats will respond to positive reinforcement, most cats generally do
better if they are working for food rewards. If you use soft moist cat
food or dry food as a treat, you will lessen the chance of disturbing a
properly balanced diet. If your cat has performed a certain task you
have asked of him, make sure you not only reward him with a food treat
but with verbal praise as well.
You will have more success if you work with one command at a time. As
with any kind of training you have to be consistent. Let your cat work
at his or her own speed. When you see even the slightest glimmer that
your cat understands the behaviour you are trying to teach, reward him
or her enthusiastically. Here are a few you may want to try.
Come:
Try teaching this one at mealtime. Use your cat's name followed by the
command "come." If necessary, tap on his food bowl to get his
attention. When he comes, praise him lavishly and then give him the
food. Eventually, your cat will associate the food with the command and
then you will be on your way to owning a trained cat.
Shake Hands:
Cats will naturally try to use their paws, so this is not a hard command
to teach. With your cat sitting in front of you, touch his paw and say
"shake." As soon as he reacts and lifts his paw, shake it and
give him verbal approval along with a treat. Remember to be consistent
here and repeat the command the same way each time.
Sit-Up:
Start with your cat on a footstool or other raised area, place your cat
into sitting position. Hold a treat over your cat's head and say
"sit-up." Do not give him his reward if he stands or grabs at
the treat, just repeat the command and wait for him to try and
accomplish the behaviour you have requested of him. When he does
accomplish the desired behaviour, give him the treat right away and
repeat the command several times.
Wave:
Swiping at a morsel of food is a natural behaviour for a cat. Hold a
treat in your hand. Place it in front of the cat's nose but just out of
reach of his front paws. Then, move it back and forth with your hands in
a waving motion while telling your cat to "wave." As your cat
reaches out for the food, it will appear as if he is waving. Once his
motion simulates the waving behaviour, praise him and give him a treat.
Information and graphics courtesy of "The Cat Furniture Depot"
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