🎯 Training Fundamentals
Contrary to popular belief, cats are highly trainable — they just learn differently than dogs. Cats respond to motivation, not obedience. Understanding this difference is the key to successful cat training.
The Golden Rules
Always Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward desired behaviours with treats, praise, or play. Never punish or scold your cat — punishment doesn't work with cats and will damage your bond. Cats learn through association, so make the desired behaviour = good things happen.
Keep Sessions Short
Cats have shorter attention spans than dogs. Training sessions should be 3-5 minutes, maximum 10 minutes. End on a success — always stop while your cat is still engaged, not after they've lost interest.
Find Their Currency
Every cat is motivated by something different. Most respond to high-value treats (freeze-dried meat, bonito flakes, small bits of cooked chicken). Some prefer play rewards (feather toy session) or affection. Experiment to find your cat's "currency."
Timing Is Everything
You have about 1-2 seconds to reward a behaviour before the cat stops associating the reward with the action. This is why clicker training is so effective — the click marks the exact moment of the correct behaviour.
Train When Hungry (But Not Starving)
Schedule training sessions before meals when your cat is naturally food-motivated. A cat with a full belly has zero motivation to work for treats. But don't withhold meals — just time your sessions strategically.
One Behaviour at a Time
Don't try to teach multiple things simultaneously. Master one behaviour before introducing the next. Cats learn best with clear, consistent expectations.
🔔 Clicker Training
Clicker training is the gold standard for cat training. The clicker provides a precise "marker" signal that tells your cat exactly which behaviour earned the reward. It bridges the gap between the action and the treat.
Getting Started
Get Your Supplies
You'll need: a clicker (a small box that makes a clicking sound, available at any Calgary pet store for $3-5), high-value treats cut into tiny pea-sized pieces, and a quiet room with minimal distractions.
"Charge" the Clicker (Day 1-3)
Before training anything, you need to teach your cat that click = treat. Simply click once, then immediately give a treat. Repeat 10-15 times per session, 2-3 sessions per day. Your cat should start perking up and looking expectant when they hear the click.
Capture a Simple Behaviour
Start with something your cat does naturally — like sitting. Wait for your cat to sit. The instant their bottom touches the ground, click + treat. Don't say anything yet. Repeat until your cat starts sitting deliberately to earn clicks.
Add the Verbal Cue
Once your cat is reliably offering the behaviour, say the cue word ("sit") just before they do it. Click + treat when they comply. After many repetitions, they'll associate the word with the action.
Phase Out the Clicker
Once a behaviour is well-established, you can gradually reduce clicking and treat every time. Switch to intermittent rewards (like a slot machine — unpredictable rewards are more motivating than predictable ones).
Clicker Rules
Click ONCE per correct behaviour
Multiple clicks confuse the message. One click, one treat.
Always follow a click with a treat
If you accidentally click, still give a treat. Breaking the click-treat association undermines the tool.
Click during the behaviour, not after
Timing is critical. Click at the exact moment the desired action occurs.
Don't use the clicker to call your cat
The clicker marks correct behaviour — it's not a communication device or attention-getter.
🐾 Trick Tutorials
Click any trick to see step-by-step instructions. Start with beginner tricks and work your way up!
Beginner
🖐️ Target (Touch)
Easy — 2-3 daysYour cat touches their nose to your hand or a target stick on command.
1. Hold your flat hand or a target stick a few inches from your cat's nose
2. Cats naturally investigate — when their nose touches your hand, click + treat
3. Repeat until they deliberately touch your hand each time you present it
4. Add the cue word "touch" just before presenting your hand
5. Gradually increase distance — move your hand so they take a step to reach it
Why it's useful: Targeting is the foundation of many other tricks. You can guide your cat through obstacle courses, onto scales, into carriers, and more.
🪑 Sit
Easy — 3-5 daysYour cat sits on cue — the classic first trick for any trainable cat.
1. Hold a treat above your cat's head, slightly back
2. As they look up and follow the treat, their bottom will naturally lower
3. The instant they sit, click + treat
4. Repeat 10-15 times across multiple sessions
5. Add "sit" cue once they're sitting reliably for the lure
6. Gradually fade the treat lure — use a hand signal instead
Tip: If your cat backs up instead of sitting, practice against a wall so they have no choice but to sit.
📦 Go To Bed/Mat
Easy — 5-7 daysYour cat goes to a specific spot (bed, mat, or perch) on command.
1. Place a small mat or towel on the floor near your cat
2. Click + treat any interaction with the mat (looking at it, stepping toward it, touching it)
3. Gradually raise criteria — only click for stepping ON the mat
4. Then only click for sitting or lying on the mat
5. Add cue "go to bed" once they're going to it reliably
6. Gradually increase distance from the mat
Why it's useful: Great for vet visits, guests arriving, or dinnertime management. A "station" gives your cat a job during situations that might otherwise be stressful.
Intermediate
🤝 Shake/High Five
Medium — 1-2 weeksYour cat extends their paw to "shake" or give a high five.
1. With your cat sitting, hold a treat in your closed fist at their chest level
2. They'll paw at your hand to get the treat — click + open hand + treat
3. Repeat until they paw reliably
4. Present an open palm instead — click + treat when they touch it with their paw
5. Add cue "shake" or "high five"
6. For high five: hold your palm vertical instead of horizontal
Tip: Some cats are naturally "pawsy" and will learn this in one session. Others may take a week or more.
🔄 Spin
Medium — 1-2 weeksYour cat turns in a full circle on command.
1. Hold a treat at your cat's nose level
2. Slowly lure them in a circle by moving the treat around their body
3. Click + treat when they complete the full turn
4. Repeat, gradually making the lure motion smaller
5. Add cue "spin" once reliable
6. Eventually just use a finger circle motion as the cue
Tip: Teach one direction first. Once mastered, teach the opposite direction with a different cue ("spin" vs "twist").
🐈 Come When Called
Medium — 2-3 weeksYour cat comes to you when you call their name — reliably!
1. Start close — say your cat's name, then shake a treat bag or tap a bowl
2. When they come to you, click + jackpot treat (several high-value treats)
3. Gradually increase distance — call from another room
4. Practice at different times of day and in different locations
5. Always make coming to you rewarding — never call your cat for unpleasant things
6. Make the recall the best thing that happens all day
Why it's essential: A reliable recall can be lifesaving if your cat escapes. Practice regularly, even with indoor cats. In Calgary, this is especially important given urban wildlife risks.
Advanced
🔔 Ring a Bell
Advanced — 2-4 weeksYour cat rings a bell to signal they want something (food, to go out, attention).
1. First teach "target" (touching nose or paw to an object)
2. Present a small desk bell — click + treat any interaction
3. Raise criteria to only reward touching the bell
4. Then only reward touches that make the bell ring
5. Place the bell near the door or food area
6. Wait for them to ring it unprompted — big reward!
Tip: Cats learn this surprisingly fast once they understand the bell = good things. Be prepared for your cat to ring it at 3 AM.
🧩 Fetch
Advanced — 3-6 weeksYour cat retrieves a toy and brings it back to you.
1. Find a toy your cat loves to carry in their mouth (crinkle balls, small plush mice)
2. Toss the toy a short distance — most cats will chase it
3. If they pick it up, call them back — click + treat when they return
4. Eventually, only click + treat when they return with the toy
5. Gradually increase the throwing distance
6. Add cue "fetch" when you throw
Note: Some breeds (like Bengals, Siamese, and Maine Coons) are natural fetchers. If your cat isn't interested, that's okay — not every cat enjoys fetch.
🎪 Jump Through Hoop
Advanced — 4-6 weeksYour cat jumps through a hoop or over obstacles on command.
1. Hold a hula hoop on the ground — lure your cat through it with a treat, click + treat
2. Repeat until they walk through confidently
3. Raise the hoop slightly (1-2 inches off the ground)
4. Lure through, click + treat for going through
5. Gradually raise the hoop higher over many sessions
6. Add cue "jump" or "through"
Safety: Never force a cat to jump. Raise the height gradually. Elderly cats or those with joint issues should stick to ground-level or very low jumps.
🧹 Litter Box Training
Most cats take to litter boxes naturally, but kittens need guidance and some adult cats may need retraining. Here's the complete guide.
Kitten Litter Training
Choose the Right Box
For kittens, use a low-sided box they can easily climb into (sides no higher than 2-3 inches). Avoid covered boxes initially — kittens need to find the box easily. Use unscented, clumping litter with fine particles.
Location Matters
Place the box in a quiet, accessible area. Avoid near food/water or loud appliances. For a kitten in a new home, keep the box in the same room where they're confined during the adjustment period.
Introduce After Key Moments
Place your kitten in the litter box after waking up, after eating, and after play sessions. These are the times they're most likely to need to go. Let them sniff and explore — don't force them to stay.
Reward Success
When your kitten uses the box, offer calm praise and a small treat immediately after they step out. Don't disturb them while they're using it.
Clean Accidents Properly
Use an enzymatic cleaner (not ammonia-based — it smells like urine to cats). Place a paper towel with a small amount of urine in the litter box to help them understand where to go.
The Litter Box Rules
Size: 1.5× Your Cat's Length
The box should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat from nose to base of tail. Bigger is almost always better.
Number: Cats + 1
The golden rule: one litter box per cat, plus one extra. In a multi-cat household, place boxes in different locations — not all in the same room.
Scoop: At Least Daily
Scoop clumps at least once daily, twice is better. Completely change the litter and wash the box every 1-2 weeks. Cats are fastidious — a dirty box is the #1 reason for litter box avoidance.
Location: Quiet, Private, Accessible
Avoid high-traffic areas, near loud appliances, or too close to food. Ensure 24/7 access. For multi-storey Calgary homes, have at least one box per floor.
⚠️ Common Behaviour Problems & Solutions
Click any issue to see why it happens and how to fix it using positive training techniques.
🪑 Scratching Furniture ▶
🌙 Night-Time Zoomies / Waking You Up ▶
🍽️ Counter Surfing ▶
😾 Aggression During Play (Biting/Scratching) ▶
🚫 Litter Box Avoidance ▶
😿 Excessive Vocalization ▶
📊 My Training Progress
Track the skills you've taught your cat! Click to mark as learned.