Here at Breathe Free Litterbox Mate, we’re all about keeping cats and cat owners happy. Sometimes that involves magical products – like our no odor litter box litter pads. And sometimes some handy training techniques have to be thrown into the mix.
“Training a cat?” you ask. “Can it be done?”
Why yes, as a matter of fact it can. We recently stumbled across an article on TheCateSite.com which features some surprisingly helpful information about clicker training for cats.
Apparently it works much the same way as clicker training for dogs – with one exception. It’s harder. We know that cats march to the beat of their own drums – so if you’re offering them an incentive in any way, it had better be worth it!
Clicker training for cats works like this:
Your cat does something you like (uses the litter box, stops scratching the carpet, ect)… then you immediately let her know by sounding the clicker. After you press the clicker, you MUST get a little treat out for your cat… or else your cat will never “get” what the clicker sound means.
The key, as the cat owner, is to click at the right moment and to REMEMBER to click. Once you’ve had your practice and feel more proficient in clicking at the right time, start to work with the cat. It’s easiest to watch what the cat does and then wait for him to do it again – click, treat.
The click signals that the treat comes next. Repetition is also a MUST in order for your cat to understand what she’s doing right. It’s a learning process for her.
According to TheCatSite.com:
After you get the desired results several times, then add a verbal cue. Once the verbal cue is in place, you can add a hand signal. If you link behaviors together, change the order so the cat is following your cue, not just following the usual routine.
Cats are smart and CAN be trained. Remember that the next time your cat makes you want to tear your hair out.