Can you teach an old cat new tricks?

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 05:06 AM

Can you teach an old cat new tricks?

Yes, but you'll have to make it really worth their while

By Kim Campbell Thornton
MSNBC contributor
updated 10:34 a.m. ET Oct. 15, 2007

Quote:

At mealtime, Roxy rings a desk bell. Lucy and Ethel come running, and everybody gets fed. Roxy isn’t Lucy's and Ethel’s owner, although she probably thinks of the two dogs as her servants. Roxy is a Devon Rex cat, and on command she comes when called, runs through a tunnel, jumps over a child lying on the floor, gives a high five, and sits and stays, even when she hears treats being thrown down the hall.

Roxy’s not unique. With the right motivation, cats are highly trainable. You can even teach a cat to go for walks on leash, although you can expect that your cat will be choosing the route, not you.

“People tend to think that cats are not smart, and the reason is that they can’t force cats to do things the way they can dogs,” says veterinarian Sophia Yin, a behavior expert who lectures on domestic animal behavior at the University of California at Davis. “But if you train with rewards for correct behavior, then cats are easy to train.”

Why train a cat?

Roxy’s owner, animal-behavior consultant Steve Dale of Chicago, who recently spoke on enriching the lives of cats at the annual World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress in Sydney, Australia, says training exercises a cat’s brain and body and strengthens the bond between cat and human.

It’s also a way to communicate with your cat.

'Interspecies communication'

“There are powerful benefits to training in any situation, and its major benefit is that you’re developing an interspecies communication system,” says animal behaviorist Mary Lee Nitschke, a professor of psychology at Linfield College in Portland, Ore. “I don’t know many instances in which a relationship doesn’t benefit from better communication.”

If you’ve ever been to Key West’s Mallory Square at sunset, you’ve probably seen Dominique LeFort’s trained cats jumping through hoops of fire. Sure, that’s showy, but you can teach your cat more useful tricks that don’t run the risk of burning the house down.

Yin likes to start by having people teach their cats to sit, especially if they’re having problems with their cat chasing them and attacking their legs. When you teach your cat to sit for attention, petting or treats (packaged kitty treats or tiny bites of food such as chicken or cheese), it distracts the cat from raking its claws across your legs, she says. Sit is also the foundation for teaching stay, standing up on the hind legs, and waving a paw.

Can your cat do a trick? Send us a photo and tell us the story behind it.

“The other thing I like to train is to touch a target with the nose,” Yin says. “The target for a cat is usually something like a pencil with a big eraser on the end. I start by putting a little bit of food on the end and presenting it just far enough from the cat so it has to stretch its neck to examine the food. Then when it touches it, I remove it and give a reward immediately, so they learn that touching it with the nose gets a reward. What I want, and what you can usually get within several days, is for the cat to run several feet to touch the target with its nose. Once you have that, you can train all kinds of tricks because now you can control where their head goes.”

What’s useful about that?

Well, say you keep the litter box scrupulously clean, but your cat doesn’t like its location. Once you’ve taught him to touch a target, you can hold the target over the litter box, reward him when he goes in, target him out, target him back in and reward him again, and so on. He may very well decide that the litter box location isn’t so bad after all. Or you can teach him to spin around in a circle, which is just plain fun.

Teach your cat to come when called by associating a particular sound with mealtime or a treat. Anything will work, whether it’s the desk bell Roxy uses to call “her” dogs, a clicker or the sound of the electric can opener. My husband taught our late cats to come when he whistled a particular tune.

Besides ensuring that you can always find your cat when it’s urgent, the come command can be used to exercise your cat and entertain your kids for a few minutes. Have each child stand in a different room, Dale says. The first child calls the cat. When the cat comes running, it gets rewarded. Then the second child calls and the cat runs to the next room and again gets rewarded. The kids can move to different rooms as the game continues.

Now, dogs would play this game for hours. Cats don’t have that kind of endurance, but it’s a great way to exercise them for a few minutes as well as to reinforce the come command.

Forget doggie style

If you’re used to training dogs, forget everything you know. There are differences in teaching cats.

“Dogs will work for free. They’re happy to please you,” Dale says. “Cats aren’t going to volunteer their time forever for nothing. They want to be paid, and they’re a bit less forgiving ... It has to be training where you’re being upbeat and the cat’s having a good time and being paid for it in the form of bite-size treats that are easy to swallow.”

Keep kitty training sessions short and sweet. Your cat’s attention span probably has a range of two to 10 minutes. Always end training when the cat has done something right.

“If you think the cat’s beginning to lose interest, you probably went 10 seconds too far,” Dale says. The adage “Quit when you’re ahead” comes to mind.

And yes, in case you were wondering, you can teach an old cat new tricks.

Can you teach an old cat new tricks? - Creature Comforts - MSNBC.com

Some posters insisted that it's not possible to train the cats to respect their owners. Yes, they CAN only if their owner trained/education them in postive way. They are like children. I myself have 3 cats but they have different personalities.

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

“People tend to think that cats are not smart, and the reason is that they can’t force cats to do things the way they can dogs,”

True, I noticed from other thread that they think the cats can't do that which is not true.

Opal · 11-07-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

If your cat poops on the carpet, try rubbing his nose in it. That will teach him a lesson for sure.”

Cat Training - Stop Bad Cat Behavior - Solve Cat Problems - Expert Shows How - Kitten Training

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opal

Cat Training - Stop Bad Cat Behavior - Solve Cat Problems - Expert Shows How - Kitten Training

for wonderful and positive link.

I pasted part of your link over here.

Quote:

... the truth is your little tiger has to follow the rules of the house.

Exactly...

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opal

If your cat poops on the carpet, try rubbing his nose in it. That will teach him a lesson for sure.”

Yes, that's right.

Kaitin · 11-07-2007, 09:30 AM

Hi, Liebling and Opal: I don't want another thread like the declaw thread with

. But please think about not rubbing the cat's nose in the mess. Maybe it work for someone's cat but often it is unkind to the cat and not helpful. The Humane Society I volunteer with tells cat owners to please not rub the nose or physically punish for accidents - instead cats and kittens need positive reinforcement and careful litterbox training.

From the Humane Society of Santa Clara: Great Kittens Have Good Owners

If your kitten has a toilet accident outside of his box and you find it after he is finished, just clean the accident up with the enzyme cleaner (available at any pet store) and make sure you confine your kitten when you can not watch him. - Do not rub his nose in it, swat him with a newspaper or shake him. Your kitten will learn nothing by using these methods except to fear you, and it may cause the problem to become worse.

---

From Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association: Litter Box Training Your Kitty

Never punish your cat for having an accident: Do not strike her or rub her nose in the mess; this will only create anxiety and compound the problem. Say "NO" then place her in her litter box and praise her there. Be sure kitty knows what the litter box is for. Many kittens assume it is a new toy full of stuff to bat around. Soak up any urine with tissue and place it in the box. Pop the poop in, too.

---

From VetWest Animal Hospitals: Caring for your kitten - sleeping, food, training and play

Of course accidents will happen! If you catch your kitten in the act you should immediately place him/her into the litter tray and praise them.

NEVER spank your kitten, rub his/her nose in it, or reprimand after an accident has occurred. A kitten is too young to be able to connect this with what he/she has done wrong.

---

From Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter: Kitten Care

If a kitten should ever have an "accident", NEVER rub his nose in it. This is very unhealthy as his sinuses could become infected. This practice will also teach him to fear people. Instead, gently pick up your kitten and put him in the litter box. The only time a kitten will not use his litter box is when he can't find it or if he needs medical help.

---

From the Humane Society of Silicon Valley: Cat Litter Box Training

Do not use any type of punishment such as rubbing the cat’s nose in the elimination, shouting at him or swatting at him with a newspaper. These things do not teach your pet anything except to fear you and in fact, they may increase the problem of improper elimination

---

From For the Love of Cats: Litter Box Tips

Never punish the cat. "Rubbing her nose in it" or other negative actions -- after you find an accident -- will only make the cat more anxious and fearful of you -- and could make the behavior worse! Cats learn only through positive reinforcement.

All the articles have good tips for cat training.

Thank you.

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 10:17 AM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitin

Hi, Liebling and Opal: I don't want another thread like the declaw thread with

. But please think about not rubbing the cat's nose in the mess. Maybe it work for someone's cat but often it is unkind to the cat and not helpful. The Humane Society I volunteer with tells cat owners to please not rub the nose or physically punish for accidents - instead cats and kittens need positive reinforcement and careful litterbox training.

This thread I created here has nothing do with declaw thread. Okay? Its about the pet training.

Anyway, I don´t rub my cats´s noses hard but too gentle like get my cat to smell their own business outside of litter box (cats don´t like to smell their own business) and then return to litter box then they will know it´s litter box, they are allow to use for their business, not outside of litter box. I trained them for one to twice time then they know it´s litter box, they are allow to use, not outside of litter box.

It´s easy train...

Accord your link, I don´t agree to swat the cats with a newspaper or shake the cats or spank the cats... but show them what they did wrong... got them to smell their own business and then go back to litter box.. and different way to show them what they did wrong.. like scratch, etc...

Of course never punish the cats in harsh way.

Anyway, I agree most of Opal´s link because I myself experience with my cats.

VanG · 11-07-2007, 10:26 AM

[quote=Liebling:-)));866310]

Quote:

This thread I created here has nothing do with declaw thread. Okay? Its about the pet training.

Anyway, I don´t rub my cats´s noses hard but too gentle like get my cat to smell their own business outside of litter box (cats don´t like to smell their own business) and then return to litter box then they will know it´s litter box, they are allow to use for their business, not outside of litter box. I trained them for one to twice time then they know it´s litter box, they are allow to use, not outside of litter box.

It´s easy train...

Accord your link, I don´t agree to swat the cats with a newspaper or shake the cats or spank the cats... but show them what they did wrong... got them to smell their own business and then go back to litter box.. and different way to show them what they did wrong.. like scratch, etc...

Of course never punish the cats in harsh way.

Anyway, I agree most of Opal´s link because I myself experience with my cats.

It goes the same thing with dogs, raccoon, and skunk (only without chemical until it develop into adult)

I used to raise Raccoon since raccoon was rescue from hunting season and has only 2 legs. He was very good and lotsa actives. he passed away at 5 years old due of enlargement heart. I also bought skunk from rescue shelter (unknown case)in home and raise that skunk from whelming to 1 years old. I took it to wildlife and train skunk to get adapt into wildlife. When it start to spray chemical out then skunk was ready to go into wildlife nature.

As for dog and cat, I did train them what I need them to do. They did just fine and patience is the key.

Kaitin · 11-07-2007, 10:30 AM

[quote=Liebling:-)));866310]

Quote:

This thread I created here has nothing do with declaw thread. Okay? Its about the pet training.

Hi, Liebling: I know the thread has nothing to do with declaw thread. I meant I don't want to start arguements and so much personal negatives in this thread - I just wanted to present other information and have a polite discussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Anyway, I don´t rub my cats´s noses hard but too gentle like get my cat to smell their own business outside of litter box (cats don´t like to smell their own business) and then return to litter box then they will know it´s litter box, they are allow to use for their business, not outside of litter box. I trained them for one to twice time then they know it´s litter box, they are allow to use, not outside of litter box.

It´s easy train...

Accord your link, I don´t agree to swat the cats with a newspaper or shake the cats or spank the cats... but show them what they did wrong... got them to smell their own business and then go back to litter box.. and different way to show them what they did wrong.. like scratch, etc...

Of course never punish the cats in harsh way.

Anyway, I agree most of Opal´s link because I myself experience with my cats.

Having the cat smell I think would be ok (but with cat's fine nose I think they smell from far away). I'm glad you don't rub the nose or swat, shake, spank. I am not saying you are harsh - I can tell you love cats. Your avatar has a clue!

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanG

It goes the same thing with dogs, raccoon, and skunk (only without chemical until it develop into adult)

I used to raise Raccoon since raccoon was rescue from hunting season and has only 2 legs. He was very good and lotsa actives. he passed away at 5 years old due of enlargement heart. I also bought skunk from rescue shelter (unknown case)in home and raise that skunk from whelming to 1 years old. I took it to wildlife and train skunk to get adapt into wildlife. When it start to spray chemical out then skunk was ready to go into wildlife nature.

As for dog and cat, I did train them what I need them to do. They did just fine and patience is the key.

Yes it´s exactly! the patience is the key...

I lovvveeeeeee raccoon and their cuteeee faces.... I wish to pet them.... I withnessed raccoon climbed up to tree at Angel´s and Roadrunner´s property at night when I first arrived her house from Chicago last July.

Liebling:-))) · 11-07-2007, 10:53 AM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitin

Hi, Liebling: I know the thread has nothing to do with declaw thread. I meant I don't want to start arguements and so much personal negatives in this thread - I just wanted to present other information and have a polite discussion.

Yes I can understand and agree with you on this. Yes, you made polite discussion which is really great...

Quote:

Having the cat smell I think would be ok (but with cat's fine nose I think they smell from far away). I'm glad you don't rub the nose or swat, shake, spank. I am not saying you are harsh - I can tell you love cats. Your avatar has a clue!

Yes, that avator and signature, I created for my beloved Kim who died by road accident last 23rd September 2007. I miss her terrible...

http://www.alldeaf.com/our-pets/4534...loved-kim.html

GalaxyAngel · 11-07-2007, 11:19 AM

I usually w/Adult cats can be smart and hide poop somewhere.. I have to force take Adult cat doesn't matter who did.. I have to take the cat and closer to poop.. I say No no no.. and put on the cat litter proprite placed. I took another cat and closer to poop.. *knew it's belong theirs* so then I will know it... who did it.. I say NO!, Lightly spank on back.. After all, Adults cats learn their lesson.. so far no pooped any where hide the places.. which it's great news..

As same Dog too.. Have to discipline Dog not allowed pooped in the house.. Make sure don't!

Kaitin · 11-07-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

Yes, that avator and signature, I created for my beloved Kim who died by road accident last 23rd September 2007. I miss her terrible...
[/color]
http://www.alldeaf.com/our-pets/4534...loved-kim.html

I'm so sorry about Kim. My beloved cat (his name was Cat) died last December. He was 18 and grew up with me. I still can't think about him without tears. I miss him so much and always will. I don't know if I can get another cat after Cat. He was the best cat for me ever.

Can't think about him more.

Reba · 11-07-2007, 02:15 PM

I never put the faces of my cats or dogs near their poop. Ugh! Other than a few illness related accidents, none of my cats or dogs ever made a mess in the house. The dogs always did their business outside, and the cats always used the litter box.

Key to using the litter box is keeping it clean and easy to access.

Liebling:-))) · 11-08-2007, 07:56 AM

What about training any pets like dogs?

TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY
Training Your New Puppy

Interesting link about dog...

I am a cat person but I share any pets, not just cat here with you all because you all have any pets, not just cats.

Come and share what and how you train your pets here with us...

I think it's hard to train the dog than cat. ?

Liebling:-))) · 11-08-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalaxyAngel

I usually w/Adult cats can be smart and hide poop somewhere.. I have to force take Adult cat doesn't matter who did.. I have to take the cat and closer to poop.. I say No no no.. and put on the cat litter proprite placed. I took another cat and closer to poop.. *knew it's belong theirs* so then I will know it... who did it.. I say NO!, Lightly spank on back.. After all, Adults cats learn their lesson.. so far no pooped any where hide the places.. which it's great news..

As same Dog too.. Have to discipline Dog not allowed pooped in the house.. Make sure don't!

Yeah, that's why I have 3 litter box for 3 cats. The vet told me that some cats are fussy and don't like to do their business where other cat use on the same litter box. I got 2 extra litter box for Flecky & Blacky... It works pretty good and know now that Flecky and Blacky are fuss cats, not Sussi and Kim. Sussi and Kim don't care and do their business in Sussi litter's box but Flecky and Blacky not. So I got 2 litter box for Flecky and Blacky... They are happy and use their business at their OWN litter box.

I remember your post at somewhere... Your post over your bullydog make me laugh that your bullydog use your cat's litter box as his business...

Liebling:-))) · 11-08-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Key to using the litter box is keeping it clean and easy to access.

Yes, daily clean is the best.

Liebling:-))) · 11-08-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitin

I'm so sorry about Kim. My beloved cat (his name was Cat) died last December. He was 18 and grew up with me. I still can't think about him without tears. I miss him so much and always will. I don't know if I can get another cat after Cat. He was the best cat for me ever.

Can't think about him more.

I am very sorry about the loss of your beloved Cat.

Sussi, my 21 years old cat is still alive. I know she will go some day due her age... I will miss her terrible if she go.

darkangel8603 · 11-12-2007, 08:27 PM

ahh yes i dont know where ppl come up with the idea of not being able to train a cat. my kitten, comes when she is called. of course i didnt even have to train her to do that, she just comes because she knows she iwll get treats (she i sooo spoiled) lol. i am trying to teach her some other tricks like sit, stand up, etc. but she doesnt seem to be intrested in them yet. oh well lol.

Roadrunner · 11-12-2007, 10:28 PM

Teach an old cat new tricks?? Hmm...that'll be the day when the cat starts to 'bark' and let outside to do its thing and come back in!

Ooookkk...outta hereee...

~RR

Liebling:-))) · 11-13-2007, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

Teach an old cat new tricks?? Hmm...that'll be the day when the cat starts to 'bark' and let outside to do its thing and come back in!

Ooookkk...outta hereee...

~RR

11-07-2007, 11:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
GalaxyAngel That's me! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 13,436	I usually w/Adult cats can be smart and hide poop somewhere.. I have to force take Adult cat doesn't matter who did.. I have to take the cat and closer to poop.. I say No no no.. and put on the cat litter proprite placed. I took another cat and closer to poop.. knew it's belong theirs so then I will know it... who did it.. I say NO!, Lightly spank on back.. After all, Adults cats learn their lesson.. so far no pooped any where hide the places.. which it's great news.. As same Dog too.. Have to discipline Dog not allowed pooped in the house.. Make sure don't! __________________ Parents' proud of Logan.

11-08-2007, 07:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
Liebling:-))) Hiiiiiii it's meeeeee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 24,180	What about training any pets like dogs? TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY Training Your New Puppy Interesting link about dog... I am a cat person but I share any pets, not just cat here with you all because you all have any pets, not just cats. Come and share what and how you train your pets here with us... I think it's hard to train the dog than cat. ? __________________ sniffing you

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

11-07-2007, 09:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kaitin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 845 Blog Entries: 23	Hi, Liebling and Opal: I don't want another thread like the declaw thread with . But please think about not rubbing the cat's nose in the mess. Maybe it work for someone's cat but often it is unkind to the cat and not helpful. The Humane Society I volunteer with tells cat owners to please not rub the nose or physically punish for accidents - instead cats and kittens need positive reinforcement and careful litterbox training. From the Humane Society of Santa Clara: Great Kittens Have Good Owners If your kitten has a toilet accident outside of his box and you find it after he is finished, just clean the accident up with the enzyme cleaner (available at any pet store) and make sure you confine your kitten when you can not watch him. - Do not rub his nose in it, swat him with a newspaper or shake him. Your kitten will learn nothing by using these methods except to fear you, and it may cause the problem to become worse. --- From Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association: Litter Box Training Your Kitty Never punish your cat for having an accident: Do not strike her or rub her nose in the mess; this will only create anxiety and compound the problem. Say "NO" then place her in her litter box and praise her there. Be sure kitty knows what the litter box is for. Many kittens assume it is a new toy full of stuff to bat around. Soak up any urine with tissue and place it in the box. Pop the poop in, too. --- From VetWest Animal Hospitals: Caring for your kitten - sleeping, food, training and play Of course accidents will happen! If you catch your kitten in the act you should immediately place him/her into the litter tray and praise them. NEVER spank your kitten, rub his/her nose in it, or reprimand after an accident has occurred. A kitten is too young to be able to connect this with what he/she has done wrong. --- From Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter: Kitten Care If a kitten should ever have an "accident", NEVER rub his nose in it. This is very unhealthy as his sinuses could become infected. This practice will also teach him to fear people. Instead, gently pick up your kitten and put him in the litter box. The only time a kitten will not use his litter box is when he can't find it or if he needs medical help. --- From the Humane Society of Silicon Valley: Cat Litter Box Training Do not use any type of punishment such as rubbing the cat’s nose in the elimination, shouting at him or swatting at him with a newspaper. These things do not teach your pet anything except to fear you and in fact, they may increase the problem of improper elimination --- From For the Love of Cats: Litter Box Tips Never punish the cat. "Rubbing her nose in it" or other negative actions -- after you find an accident -- will only make the cat more anxious and fearful of you -- and could make the behavior worse! Cats learn only through positive reinforcement. All the articles have good tips for cat training. Thank you.

11-07-2007, 02:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
Reba Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 15,652	I never put the faces of my cats or dogs near their poop. Ugh! Other than a few illness related accidents, none of my cats or dogs ever made a mess in the house. The dogs always did their business outside, and the cats always used the litter box. Key to using the litter box is keeping it clean and easy to access.

11-12-2007, 08:27 PM	#19 (permalink)
darkangel8603 Loki : God of Mischief Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,430	ahh yes i dont know where ppl come up with the idea of not being able to train a cat. my kitten, comes when she is called. of course i didnt even have to train her to do that, she just comes because she knows she iwll get treats (she i sooo spoiled) lol. i am trying to teach her some other tricks like sit, stand up, etc. but she doesnt seem to be intrested in them yet. oh well lol.

11-12-2007, 10:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
Roadrunner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,090	Teach an old cat new tricks?? Hmm...that'll be the day when the cat starts to 'bark' and let outside to do its thing and come back in! Ooookkk...outta hereee... ~RR