Have you always dreamed of teaching your cat tricks? Or even to train him to open the door by himself to go out or to pee in the toilet (yes, let us dream, eh)? Well it may be possible thanks to a simple method that has long proven itself: clicker training.
What is clicker training?
Clicker training is a training method which consists of associate a sound with a reward (treat, toy, caress). Note that food will certainly have more effect than a simple caress. And for good reason, cats are above all predators, so they are programmed to “earn” their food. Acting to feed themselves is therefore much more pleasant for them than simply receiving their meal without doing anything.
To start clicker training, it is essential to have a small plastic device called clicker. Note that there are also applications on smartphones that allow you to reproduce the sound of the clicker.
This sound is perfectly audible to cats, but it can sometimes be too loud and have the opposite effect of what we want, which is to say frighten them. It is therefore essential to test the sound of the clicker next to your cat and to pay attention to its reaction. If he seems scared, turn down the volume.
This is all well and good, but what is the purpose of the clicker ? It’s simply pushing your cat to adopt behavior almost effortlessly. For example, getting him into his transport crate alone (the dream, right?). Or just make him sit down.
Another advantage: clicker training allows you to stimulate the brain of your cat, and he loves it! Yes, our feline friends need help to fight boredom, even if they don’t necessarily show it. Finally, this activity will also have the effect of strengthening the bond you have with your furry friend. In short, you will have understood, there are only advantages to trying clicker training!
Good to know : you already know, cats are animals that are not only unpredictable but intrinsically attached to their freedom. It therefore sometimes happens that the clicker method does not work on certain felines. If you don’t get any results after several tries, your cat is not sensitive to this technique and you can give up.
Steps to follow to get started
First, choose a time of day when your cat is availablethat is to say where it does not sleep, does not eat or hunt. Sit both of you in a quiet place where your feline is not likely to be distracted by another noise. Then start training.
Call your cat and press the clicker once it approaches you. Within two seconds who follow, give him a reward. Repeat the operation several times a day in the following days. After a while, your cat will naturally associate the sound of the clicker with a reward while knowing that it has adopted the correct behavior.
Then, once this step is integrated, you can have fun trying this method in various situations. For example, for the transport box, press the clicker each time your cat approaches its box, without forgetting to give it its little treat. Then, little by little, your cat will naturally move closer to its crate. At that point you can throw the treat directly into the crate. Continue this for several weeks until your cat enters its crate alone without showing any fear.
In any case, remember, patience is the key word of this gentle learning method!
Good to know : Workouts should not last more than five minutes. The goal is for your cat not to get tired.
