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When it comes to training your cat, it is important to give positive reinforcement only, and avoid being frustrated or annoyed with your cat for not doing as you ask, they are still learning. Instead, reward them for doing things right when it comes to the training sessions.
How to Train Your Cat to Come
It is so much easier when you can ask your cat to “come here” and they actually do it! This can be good for when you have something you want to show them, when you have a treat for them but you want them to work for it, or for when they go into a room you don’t want in.
This one is quite easy for cats to catch on, show a little patience and you will see great results.
Steps:
1. Grab some treats that your cats love, but do not show them that you have treats just yet, be discreate! Trust us, this is important.
2. Have a command such as “come here” or “come” associated with a hand gesture, such as tapping on the surface beside you, or rubbing your forefinger and thumb together. You would call your cats name and use the command “come here” while tapping where you want your cat to go. Sometimes they will do so because they want to come see you, sometimes they will come because they think you have something for them. In this case, they are right, you have a treat for them.
3. Now, you have to say “come here” in a way where it intrigues them. If you are monotone, or upset, they will never go to you. Instead, be excited, be happy and ask your cat to “come here”. If they do, or even halfway at the start, present the treat and give them a praise.
4. You want to repeat this several times, they will catch on pretty soon here so make sure you spread out asking them to come to you. Wait till they are halfway across the room and then use your command and gesture and do it again. If they go to you, praise them, and give them a treat.
5. From now on, you do not give treats just because, you only give treats when they do something you would like, such as coming to you on command, other tricks or doing something you approve of.
6. If they do not go to you the first time then present the treat to get them started, but still only give one for each command. If they are sitting in front of you wanting another treat, you must resist those adorable eyes and wait until they have given up and walked across the room to try again.
7. Be consistent. Once they have done it a few times, make sure to do this trick every single day!
8. Do not teach a new trick until they have fully grasp one trick as this will likely confuse them.
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