How To Train A Cat To Come When Called
Introduction
The idea of training a cat might seem absurd to many people, but it can actually be done. Even though cats aren’t nearly as food-motivated as dogs, they can still learn how to respond when called. However, you must accept two things before beginning any kind of training with your cat: First, the process will be much slower than training a dog. Second, only positive reinforcement will work; punishment is ineffective and potentially harmful for cats. So if you’re able to move at a cat’s pace and avoid any punishments—even negative ones like scolding or ignoring—read on for some tips to help your cat learn basic commands.
Buy a target stick.
A target stick is a special type of cat toy that can help you train your cat to come when called. A good target stick will be made of lightweight, durable material and should have an appealing texture on one side. Some cats may be hesitant to approach new toys at first, so make sure you choose a size that’s easily visible but not so big that it could be mistaken for prey by an inexperienced kitten or older cat.
If your cat doesn’t seem interested in playing with the target stick, try using it as a scratching post instead. Rubbing the toy against furniture or carpet can give him the impression that he’s scratching something instead of picking up on any potential danger signals from his environment (like people). If this doesn’t work either, try playing some music while showing off how fun it is to play with this new toy—some cats are naturally drawn toward music!
Get yummy treats.
Having yummy treats on hand is going to make training so much easier. Cats love treats, and they’re highly motivated by them. But that’s not all; it’s also important to keep your cat’s lifestyle in mind, so you can choose the best treat for your situation.
For example, if you have a cat who is overweight or has diabetes, you’ll want to choose something low-calorie and healthy. If your cat has allergies or asthma (which are both common), you’ll need a product that won’t set off their allergies or trigger an asthma attack.
The size of the treat should be appropriate for the size of your pet: if they’re too big they might choke on them! And finally—and most importantly—the type of treat should be easy for YOU!
Use the target stick to lure your cat to you.
The target stick is a great way to lure your cat toward you. You can use it at any time and in any location, so this method will work for you even when your cats are hiding under the bed or sitting on top of the fridge. Hold the target stick in front of your cat and move it slowly towards her nose. Your kitty will follow along with it, which should encourage her to come closer to you. If she gets too far away from home base (your hand), then she won’t be able to see what’s going on anymore and will lose interest in following the target stick with her eyes at all. Make sure that there is always some kind of visual connection between them so that they stay interested enough!
Once she comes close enough, reward her immediately by giving her treats or petting her head gently with one hand while holding out treats with another hand (and vice versa). Remember: never give up!
Give treats at the right time.
When you want the cat to come to you, the treat should be given immediately after the cat performs the desired behavior. Make sure that the treat is given in a calm environment without any distractions or interruptions, and do so in a positive manner (i.e., don’t get frustrated if they don’t come when called). You should also give out treats consistently over time so your kitty associates this behavior with good things happening for them.
Say the command you want your cat to learn.
Once your cat is responding to the target stick, it’s time to move on and teach them how to come when called. There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when first teaching him this behavior.
First, make sure that you are using a calm and happy voice while saying the command. Cats can pick up on tones of voice more than words so if you’re yelling at him or speaking in an irritated tone of voice he might not understand what it means when you say “come here.”
Second, be consistent with your tone and use the same word every time (i.e. “come here”) for each time he responds correctly with his target stick training sessions until he fully understands what it means and then once he does move on to different words like “here kitty” or “good boy” but try not too much variation as it might confuse him!
Training your cat is a lot of work, but it can be done with patience and consistency.
Training cats is a lot of work, but it can be done. Cats are independent and can be difficult to train. They’re not dogs and they aren’t going to respond to training the same way. Cats will only respond when they are hungry or in the mood for it, so you must be patient with your cat if you want them to come when called.
Cats don’t always like training sessions because they can be boring and repetitive, so try not pushing your cat too hard during these sessions or else they won’t want anything to do with them at all!
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, training your cat is a lot of work. It can be frustrating, and you will want to give up and just keep them in doors forever. But if you take the time to do it properly, your cat will be a better behaved pet who can enjoy the outdoors without fear. Your cat will thank you for it!