Cat Training With A Clicker
Clicker training is a reinforcement or reward for a cat when
training them.
Clickers are use most often for support when training a cat for
a reward. Cats associate the clicker with a good behavior they will
use for a long time. Clicker training is associated with classical
condition (they associate the sound with food.) and operant
conditioning (cat performs movement to receive food).
Why use a clicker and not tell a cat or make a sound to get your
cat to do a trick? A clicker has a sound a cat can hear and
associate good behavior. With words, our tones in our voice can
change from time to time, which a cat can become confused with the
training. With talking for the commands, a cat could mistake the
commands. With using a clicker, it is more of a training tool to
get the behavior started with the cat. Then you can put the clicker
away for that behavior or trick once a cat has learned the
behavior
When taking the cat out for a walk or on a trip, the clicker is
a good item to carry along with you. Cats can get distracted with
other people, or animals in the area. With using the clicker, it
will reinforce the behavior that you have taught them. In addition,
a clicker can help you with having your cat walk with you instead
of wondering around.
With the clicker, a cat can be trained using three easy steps:
Get a behavior, mark a behavior, and reinforce the behavior. Get a
behavior is the first step. A good example would be for the cat to
jump a hoop. The cat will have to know that when you click that
they get a treat. Start with very small treats in your pocket.
Clicks, Treat, Click Treat do this for a few times until you see
the cat coming for the treat on the click. Next marking the
behavior: You will have to show the cat the hoop. Once the cat
touches the hoop, click, treat. Then show the cat to go though the
hoop once it does click, treat. Continue to do this until the cat
goes though the hoop on its own or your command. Reinforce the
behavior Remember to have snacks handy so when you do see your cat
go though the hoop a snack is available.
Training a cat with a clicker can be fun for both you and the
cat. Taking steps in training will be rewarding to you and the cat.
Try not to rush a cat in training, as they can become confused
especially if they did not get the step before down. The training
will take time and steps to achieve this behavior. Patience, love,
and rewards will be the key factor in training your cat.
The clicker is a good exercises tool for a cat. 10 to 15 mins a
day you should get your cat to exercises. For exercising, you can
have the cat use a hoop, play with a toy, and climb on the
scratching post or something that focus on the cat getting
exercise. Exercises will help the cat to stay healthy and help to
keep it out of mischief.
Clickers can come with books to help you train, treats, and a
clicker. Clickers come in many different size shapes, and color.
You will want to research the clickers out. Check out a pet store,
Internet sites give lots of information on training and using a
clicker. Check out companies that make the clicker by using
Internet to see what kind they offer and any additional information
that you might need to get the process of training done. Check out
articles about the clicker. Talk to someone that has used one. Talk
to your area veterinary about training with a Clicker
Once you have used a clicker, the cat will get good exercise and
be a healthy cat. The cat will be happier and you will be happier
with the new behaviors that you have taught your cat.
To sum up training your cat, important things to remember is
have patience, love and the clicker.
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