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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