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training a cat to sit

post #1 of 7
11/7/10 at 11:27pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, seriously.

I heard about this in a podcast where Dr Sophia Yin was a guest to discuss her Low Stress Handling book. http://drsophiayin.com/

Here are the articles I've found on specific approaches:
http://www.cat-training-information.com/
http://www.catsplay.com/dailycat.php...=mind_training
http://ezinearticles.com/?Training-Y...-Sit&id=519664
http://www.ehow.com/how_2046212_teach-cat-sit.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Train-Your-Cat-to-Sit

The issue I'm having so far is how to coordinate everything. One hand with treat and one to gently hold her in sit position is already two hands ... how do people manage clicker and signaling as well?!
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post #2 of 7
11/7/10 at 11:47pm
Oh my there is actual directions/... I have always just done it ... Depends on the cat , Personally I would not try the two hand method as cats do not react like dogs...

I use hand signals and words... Zoey learned from the dog I had when she was little... Sylvie learned from her... Punky does not sit on cue , though we are progressing on his training...
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post #3 of 7
11/8/10 at 10:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, Sharky! I thought I might be flamed for posting this ...

Which hand signals do you use?
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post #4 of 7
11/8/10 at 11:18pm
What works for me is getting the cat to come up right next to you, then hold the treat up a ways so he has to crane his neck up. He instinctively sits, and I say "sit" so he associates that with the action. After only a few days my first cat started sitting about 50% of the time without a treat, and me across the room.
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post #5 of 7
11/8/10 at 11:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RawVixen View Post
Thanks, Sharky! I thought I might be flamed for posting this ...

Which hand signals do you use?
Do not tell my kitties ... but standard dog ones
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post #6 of 7
11/8/10 at 11:52pm
Treat in one hand, clicker in the other. Hold treat right by kitties nose, slowly move the treat up and slightly backwards so the natural movement of the kitty is into a sit, as soon as that butt hits the ground click and treat. You don't say the command until the kitty has learned the mechanics of the trick. Once you get the kitty doing the trick solidly then you name the command.

Good Luck!

I've trained my cats to do a number of behaviors, Lilly my kitten is learning different things suited to her crazy kitten self. Tonight I was working with my 3 year old Hurley and Lilly wanted to do something too. I had Hurley jump up onto our platform cat tree, clicked and treated him. Suddenly Lilly started scratching on the same pole, so I clicked and treated her for that. After that she did it again on her own so I clicked and treated her again, after the third time I added the cue and said, "scratch". She immediately jumped up and sunk her claws in. She did the behavior about 6 more times for me on cue. Training is so fun! All of my kitties love it and sometimes they will make up their own tricks to get a treat.

You should check out Karen Pryor's website. It's awesome.
http://www.clickertraining.com/cattraining
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post #7 of 7
11/9/10 at 5:21am
We used regular hand movements like one would for a dog. Hydrox, the Old Coot, could sit, sit up and beg, and shake paws. As he got older and started developing balancing issues, it was harder for him to beg. But he'd always put that paw out for a good shake.

When we feed the kids, Da Pumpkin-Boy (Rainbow baby) would get up on his hind legs and paw at me. So I'd give him a little taste of what he was getting for dinner. BooBoo watched very intently and after Pumpkin died, Boo started doing the same thing.

Well, now we have Mollipop who has been watching her brother, Boo, rear up for a taste of supper. And now she's doing it, too! It doesn't take long for cats to figure things out. Especially when there's food involved.
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