How to Teach Your Cat Tricks
How to Teach Your Cat Tricks
How to Teach Your Cat Tricks (Even if You’ve Never Trained Before)
Cats are smart, curious, and capable of learning much more than people think. With positive reinforcement and short training sessions, your cat can learn adorable and useful tricks.
1. Start With Easy Tricks
Begin with behaviors that naturally occur:
- Sitting
- Touching your hand
- Coming when called
- Looking at you
- Stepping onto a mat
Reward the moment the behavior happens.
2. Use a Marker Word
Instead of a clicker, use a simple word like “Yes!”
Say it the exact moment your cat does the behavior you want.
3. Teach “Sit”
- Hold a treat above your cat’s head
- As they tip backward, they naturally sit
- Say “Yes!” and reward
Repeat this for 3–4 mini sessions.
4. Teach “Touch” (Target Training)
Have your cat tap their nose to your hand or a target stick.
This can later turn into:
- High-five
- Spin
- Jump through arms
- Go to a mat
It’s the foundation for dozens of tricks.
5. Teach “Come When Called”
- Say their name
- Run a few steps back
- Reward when they follow
Do this indoors first, then with more distractions.
6. Keep It Positive
Never force your cat.
If they walk away — training is done.
Cats learn fast when they feel in control.