Clicker Training for Cats

Did you know that clicker training is a fun way for all species to learn? Incorporating clicker training
with cats is a form of enrichment that can produce wonderful results. making a happy cat! Daily
enrichment examples are: cat Kongs, toys, bubbles and more. When clicker training cats, you may
need to use a “soft” clicker. This means when you click, put it in your pocket to muffle the sound.
You can also use a ballpoint pen to click.

Use high value treats, as cats can be less willing to take food rewards. Tuna, salmon, freeze dried
treats are ideal. Clicker training is not only fun, it encourages confidence and social behaviors.

Getting Started

Encourage social behaviors with a clicker. When you see something that you like, simply click and
then reward with a treat. The treat can come from your hand if you have a brave cat or it can
simply be tossed on the ground so that the cat can take it when he is comfortable. Below are
some easy clicker exercises that can be done with cats of all ages!

Shy cat: click and toss a treat when they come out of hiding. Never not force them out of their safe
hiding place. Even if the cat does not accept treats in your presence, the positive association is
developed.

Mouthy, over stimulated cat: A cat who enjoys handling at first and then escalates to biting or
scratching during handling? Or a cat that has a hard time settling after play? Click and treat
frequently during brief handling sessions. An example of a session is as such:

• When cat approaches, click and treat

• Handle gently and calmly for 3 seconds, then click and treat
 • Handle gently and calmly for 5 seconds, then click and treat
• Handle gently for 10 seconds, then click and treat
• Handle gently for 3 seconds, then click and treat
• Use a toy and play with cat for a few second, then remove toy, when cat settles, click and
treat.
• While petting the cat for 2 seconds, click and treat

Desensitize cats to their carrier:

• Place carrier on ground

• Clicking and rewarding when the cat approaches
• Click and reward each time cat approaches and continue to click and treat for exploration in
and around the carrier
• If at any time the cat enters the carrier, click and give a jackpot of treats. A jackpot would be
about ten treats given one at a time in a row..

Teach your cat his name:

• Say your cats name one time in a happy voice and make a “ kissy” noise when your cat
looks at you, click then treat
• Repeat in different locations and at different times during the day

Clicker to come to you, recall for cats:

• After teaching your cat his name, teach him to come to you when you call him.
• Produce a toy that your cat enjoys, then call him to you happily
• When he comes: click, treat and then play!

Teaching a cat to sit:

• Use a treat that your cat enjoys as a lure

• Show him the treat, starting by his nose, slowly moving it back so that your cat is craning his
neck to see the treat. This will lure the head up and back and the butt will usually go down
into a sit.
• When the cat sits, click and treat.
• After multiple successes, begin adding the cue “sit” to the routine. Eventually, you will not
use the lure.

Moving a cat around:

Introduce the targeting stick. Place tuna on the end of the stick (it doesn’t have to stay on there, it
just has to smell.) this exercise is useful if you have a cat who becomes cranky when you would
like him to move.

• Put stick with smelly end in the cage.

• When cat approaches stick and puts nose to end, click and treat
• Repeat in same location several times, then change location

©2014 Amy Schindler. All Rights Reserved