Before you begin a training session, teach your cat what the sound of the clicker means. Click and give a treat, click and give a treat. Repeat this 20 or 30 times until your cat springs to attention at the sound of the clicker. Now he knows that a click means good things are coming.
- Practice no more than two or three minutes at a time. Cats get bored quickly, and it’s best to leave off on a positive note.
- Keep treats tiny. They should be something your cat can swallow in an instant and snap back to attention.
- Train before meals. Your cat will be more motivated if he’s hungry.
- If you’re going through a lot of treats, reduce the amount of food your cat gets at mealtime. Training is important, but you don’t want him to get fat. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of his daily intake.
- As your cat’s skills improve, start giving the treats on a random basis rather than every time.
- Always end training sessions when your cat has done something right.
- Don’t give up. If you’re patient and consistent, you can teach your cat new behaviors, while improving your relationship with him.
