It is a popular myth that cats can not be trained. While feline behavior differs from that of our attention-seeking canines, all animals are motivated by something. I have on several occasions taught the family cat to sit on command. Often when I am working with the dog, a curious cat will come over to investigate. Using the exact same lure and reward training, Miss Kitty will learn to sit on cue. This is not a concentrated effort on my part, just a whim. But it opens the question of why we treat cats differently and have low training expectations.
Do you have a cat? Have you trained it to do any tricks? Come when called? Fetch a paper ball? I would love to explore this further. Unfortunately, I don’t have a cat. If you want to try some kitty training, e-mail me at bbdogtraining@bellsouth.net. Your cat can be a new star!
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Cissy Sumner, CPDT-KABest Behavior Dog TrainingAPDT #062323AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator #13985Vero Beach, FL(772) 978-7863www.bestbehaviordogtraining.org