Cats are naturally playful and curious, so it’s easy to train them to fit your home.
You don’t have to worry about your feline’s behavior being different from yours. You can train your cat to walk, behave in other ways, and take on particular tasks.
So, can cats be trained like dogs? Many people mistakenly believe that cats cannot be trained like dogs.
However, cats are very smart animals, and the ability to train them like dogs is not a myth. In fact, many cat owners have successfully trained their cats to do a variety of tricks, including fetching, fetching objects, standing on their hind legs, and shaking paws.
Furthermore, cats can be trained to do something as basic as using a litter box. Of course, training takes time and patience.
However, when done correctly, your cat will be well-behaved and obedient. Training your cat also causes them to develop a strong bond with you.
In the end, training your cat can be very rewarding for both you and your cat.
Can Cats Be Trained Like Dogs?
Yes, you can teach a cat like a dog.
We like assisting individuals in teaching their cats, and so we’d love to help you.
How to Start to Train Your Cat Like a Dog
Take It One Step at a Time
Baby steps are the key to success in teaching a cat something new or complex—just like in dog training.
Begin with just one part of the job or trick at a time, such as having the cat sit before giving it a treat or playing fetch.
You have the cat sit and wait for a command before releasing it from its crate.
For example, before giving you a high-five, say “high five” and then give him the treat. You say “sit” and then reward him with playtime. And, you say “fetch” and then throw a toy for it to fetch and return.
Maintain Persistence During Training Sessions
Choose one particular job to focus on for each session.
Focus on one command at a time until success is achieved. Maintain persistence during training sessions until success is attained.
Repeat this several times for the best results.
Do not move on to the next command until the previous.
Don’t attempt to introduce additional jobs or tricks during training.
Once success has been achieved with one command or task, move on to the next one.
Reward positive behaviour and correct negative behaviour immediately.
Don’t wait until the training session is over to reward good behavior and give corrections.
Something new should be focused upon each session to avoid confusion between commands and jobs.
Allow sufficient time for the cat to become acquainted with the new task before adding another one to it.
Maintain consistency between training sessions and reward positive behaviour immediately to reinforce it.
Utilize Cat Treats
Giving your cat a treat every time they do what you ask is critical in teaching them how to behave properly.
As your cat’s training progresses, you may provide fewer treats and more playtime as a reward instead.
Even if your cat is well-trained, it’s always a good idea to provide treats from time to time to keep its attention and keep its motivation strong.
Conduct Short, Frequent Training Sessions
Your cat will not sit and stay if it means enduring a long training session.
To avoid distractions, practice training indoors without other animals around.
Because training sessions are brief, attempt only one job per session.
Use a Clicker
Using a pet clicker to “mark” the moment your cat accomplishes a behavior helps train your pet to focus on the clicker.
When you wish your cat to do a particular action, press the clicker and give a treat so that your cat learns to associate the click with getting a reward from you.
The sound will alert your cat to the fact that it has accomplished something you desire.
It is critical to understand that any rewards given during the training session should not be the only rewards given to the cat after it has completed its session with you.
You must test it to “catch it” in the act of performing the desired behavior and offer it a reward for a job well done.
What to Avoid When Training Your Cat
Punishment is something that should not be used when training a cat, as punishment tends to lead to negative behaviors in the animal rather than correct them.
If you chastise or penalize your cat in any other manner for incorrect behavior, the cat will become defensive and learn to distrust you, which will only make future training sessions more difficult to carry out.
If your cat is screamed at, cornered, chased, swatted, or otherwise physically punished, it will very likely become fearful and even aggressive towards you in the future.
It’s also important not to train the cat for too long, so that it doesn’t lose interest and energy for learning new things.
Keep training sessions brief, perhaps no more than five minutes at a time, and take a break before resuming another session.
Consider doing a small training session several times a day if time permits, rather than one long session at the end of the day.
Also Read: How To Litter Train A Kitten Without Mother?
Final Words
Cats can be trained like dogs and can be trained to do almost anything.
Cats can be trained to walk on a leash, jump through hoops, fetch a frisbee, and more. A cat’s natural curiosity also makes it a good candidate for tricks.
A cat can learn to fetch a frisbee just like a dog would. However, cats are harder to train than dogs because they have weaker senses of smell and hearing.
For example, cats cannot smell food from far away and can’t see objects that are behind walls or furniture.
