It's a much easier task than it may seem! I'll try to go through a step-by-step guide to help anyone who may be interested out.
The first thing to remember is that cats aren't going to do it if they don't think it's worth their time. Therefore ample rewards and praise is needed through this whole thing. Right now, Allo gets treats every time he sits when I say so, but never when I don't say so.
The first step in teaching a cat to sit is getting him to follow your hand. Wave your hand in front of them so it catches their attention.
Then call them over while moving your hand away. It may feel like you have an invisible connection between your hand and the cat when they move towards you. When their interest disappears and they walk away, the connection breaks.
During this time, you may need to call them verbally to get them to comply. All you need is them interested in your hand (whether you have a treat in it) and walking a few steps (they have to be standing for this to work). It helps to teach your cat to follow your hand when you want them to, as it's useful for the smallest things, especially when they're following you around the house.
And then once you have them walking towards you, move your hand up and over their heads. This naturally tilts their head, neck, and shoulders back as the go to follow your hand. As you do this, say "sit" firmly. The way their heads go up naturally rocks them back on their haunches, and they sit as long as they're following your hand.
After a while, all you'll need to do is call them over and point at them while saying "sit." The sudden motion/change of your hand will give them pause, and they will hopefully recognize the command and do as you ask.
Remember to praise and reward them as training goes on.
Here is video of Allo learning how to sit on command if you want to see it. It's gotten to the point for him where I can say the command without hand motions almost every time and he will sit. One time as you will see I had to use my hand but other times he was perfect. And now all that is left is practice, consistency, and weaning him off of the treats.
Hopefully that was helpful!
The first thing to remember is that cats aren't going to do it if they don't think it's worth their time. Therefore ample rewards and praise is needed through this whole thing. Right now, Allo gets treats every time he sits when I say so, but never when I don't say so.
The first step in teaching a cat to sit is getting him to follow your hand. Wave your hand in front of them so it catches their attention.
Then call them over while moving your hand away. It may feel like you have an invisible connection between your hand and the cat when they move towards you. When their interest disappears and they walk away, the connection breaks.
During this time, you may need to call them verbally to get them to comply. All you need is them interested in your hand (whether you have a treat in it) and walking a few steps (they have to be standing for this to work). It helps to teach your cat to follow your hand when you want them to, as it's useful for the smallest things, especially when they're following you around the house.
And then once you have them walking towards you, move your hand up and over their heads. This naturally tilts their head, neck, and shoulders back as the go to follow your hand. As you do this, say "sit" firmly. The way their heads go up naturally rocks them back on their haunches, and they sit as long as they're following your hand.
After a while, all you'll need to do is call them over and point at them while saying "sit." The sudden motion/change of your hand will give them pause, and they will hopefully recognize the command and do as you ask.
Remember to praise and reward them as training goes on.
Here is video of Allo learning how to sit on command if you want to see it. It's gotten to the point for him where I can say the command without hand motions almost every time and he will sit. One time as you will see I had to use my hand but other times he was perfect. And now all that is left is practice, consistency, and weaning him off of the treats.
Hopefully that was helpful!
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
ReplyDeleteHr didn't mew.
(My one complaint, and I'll kick myself for even saying it. >kick< OW :)
Good boy, Allo!
Oh, he's a handsome, smart-looking guy!
So lucky he is to have you!
Very cool Mel! I think Diesel is too old and evil to train, but my next cat...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've never tried to train an older cat like that. Scruff was 1yo when I started with her.
ReplyDeleteAww, so clever and cute. He looks like Sputnik. Meow, meow, Allo.
ReplyDelete