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It’s possible to teach your cat a new trick: sitting on command. Training a cat might seem like a daunting task, but, you’ll be amazed at what your furry companion can achieve. So, let’s dive in and learn how to transform your whiskered pal into a well-trained and obedient kitty!
1. Set up a designated training area free from distractions.
First, you should create an optimal learning environment for your cat:
- Choose a quiet room: Select a room in your home with minimal foot traffic and noise, such as a spare bedroom or a less frequently used living area. This will help your cat focus on the training session without being disturbed by other people, pets, or sounds.
- Remove toys and other distractions: Clear the room of your cat’s toys, food dishes, and other items that might divert their attention. This will help your cat concentrate on the task at hand and not be tempted to play or engage with other items in the room.
- Ensure the space is comfortable and safe: Make sure the designated training area has a comfortable surface, like a rug or carpet, for your cat to sit on. Ensure there are no sharp objects, wires, or hazards that could harm your cat during training sessions.
- Maintain a consistent training area: Using the same designated training area for each session helps your cat associate the space with the “sit” command. Consistency is key when training pets, as it helps them understand what is expected of them in specific contexts.
- Limit external stimuli: Close doors and windows, turn off the TV or radio, and ask family members to avoid the area during training sessions. Reducing external stimuli helps your cat remain focused on the training and increases the chances of success.
2. Use a high-value treat, like tuna or chicken, to grab your cat’s attention.
This is a crucial part of the training process as it grabs your cat’s attention and motivates them to follow your commands. It’s essential to choose a treat that your cat absolutely loves and reserve it exclusively for training sessions. This special treat will make the training more effective, as your cat will be eager to perform the desired behavior to receive the reward.
For instance, if your cat enjoys canned tuna, you can use small flakes of tuna as a training reward. Alternatively, if your cat prefers cooked chicken, small pieces of chicken can be used. It’s important to keep the treat size small, so your cat doesn’t fill up too quickly, and you can maintain their interest throughout the training session.
Remember that each cat is unique, and their preferences for treats may vary. Some cats might be more motivated by store-bought cat treats, while others might prefer human food like cheese or deli meats. Observe your cat’s reactions to different treats and select the one that gets the most enthusiastic response to ensure successful training sessions.
3. Hold the treat just above your cat’s nose, and then slowly move it up and back.
This step is important because it helps guide your cat into the sitting position. For example, if you’re using a piece of chicken as a treat, hold it between your fingers and let your cat sniff it. Then, gently lift the treat above their nose and move it slightly toward their head.
As the cat follows the treat with their eyes, their head will naturally tilt back, and their body will lower into a sitting position. The key here is to move the treat slowly and smoothly, allowing your cat to understand what you want them to do. If the treat is moved too quickly or erratically, it may confuse your cat, making it harder for them to learn the desired behavior.
4. Say “sit” in a clear and firm voice as your cat looks up at the treat.
When training your cat to sit, it’s important to use a clear and firm voice when giving the command. As you move the treat slowly up and back, say “sit” in a confident and consistent tone. This will help your cat associate the word with the action of sitting down.
For example, you might observe your cat starting to lower into the sitting position as they follow the treat with their eyes. At this moment, calmly and firmly say “sit.” Make sure you don’t shout or change the tone of your voice, as this can startle or confuse your cat.
By using a consistent tone and timing, your cat will begin to understand the connection between the command and the desired behavior, making it more likely that they will sit on cue in the future.
5. Reward your cat immediately with the treat once they sit down.
Once your cat sits down, it’s time to provide the treat as a reward immediately. This reinforces the connection between the “sit” command and the act of sitting. As an example, let’s say your cat has just started to learn the “sit” command. They might not fully understand the connection between the word and the action at first. By rewarding them immediately when they do sit down, you are showing them that they have performed the correct behavior, helping them make the connection more quickly.
You can also use verbal praise alongside the treat to further reinforce the positive association with sitting. For instance, as soon as your cat sits, say “good sit” in a happy, encouraging tone while offering the treat. This combination of verbal praise and a high-value treat will help your cat understand that sitting when asked is a behavior that leads to positive outcomes.
Timing is crucial when providing rewards. If you wait too long after your cat sits down to give the treat, they may not associate the reward with the behavior. To ensure success, always give the treat within a few seconds of your cat sitting down.
6. Repeat the process at least five times per session.
Cats learn through repetition and positive reinforcement, so consistently practicing the “sit” command helps them understand and remember the desired behavior.
For example, after your cat successfully sits and receives a treat, allow them to stand up and move around for a few seconds before trying the command again. This gives your cat a short break and helps them better understand the sequence of events – hearing the command, sitting, and receiving the treat.
Make sure to keep the training sessions short and engaging, as cats can lose interest if the sessions are too long. By repeating the “sit” command multiple times in each session, you are reinforcing the behavior, making it more likely that your cat will reliably sit on command over time. Remember to be patient and consistent in your training, as every cat learns at a different pace.
7. Slowly increase the time your cat remains seated before giving them the treat.
As your cat becomes more comfortable with the “sit” command and consistently responds to it, you can start to build their patience and impulse control by waiting a few seconds before rewarding them.
For example, when your cat first starts to master the “sit” command, you might reward them immediately after they sit down. However, as they become more proficient, you can start to wait two to three seconds before giving the treat. Over time, you can gradually extend the waiting period to five seconds or more.
This can be particularly useful in situations where you need your cat to stay still for a short period, such as at the vet or during grooming. Remember to increase the waiting time slowly and not to push your cat too far too quickly.
8. Practice in different locations to help your cat generalize the behavior.
This helps your cat generalize the behavior, meaning they’ll be more likely to perform the action in various environments. By exposing your cat to different surroundings while training, you’re teaching them that the command applies everywhere, not just in the designated training area. Here are some examples of different locations to practice the “sit” command:
- Living room: Once your cat is comfortable performing the command in the training area, try practicing in the living room where there might be slightly more distractions, such as the sound of a TV or other people in the room.
- Kitchen: The kitchen can be an exciting place for your cat, with various smells and sounds. Practicing the “sit” command here helps reinforce their ability to focus on the command despite distractions.
- Outdoor area: If your cat is allowed outdoors or you have a safe enclosed space, like a balcony or a catio, practicing the “sit” command outside can be beneficial, as it exposes your cat to different sights, sounds, and surfaces.
- Vet’s office or grooming salon: To make visits to the vet or groomer less stressful, you can practice the “sit” command in these environments when appropriate, such as during a calm moment in the waiting area.
9. Use a clicker to mark the exact moment your cat sits down, and then give the treat.
A clicker is a small device that makes a distinct clicking sound when pressed. The sound serves as a signal to your cat that they have performed the desired behavior correctly, bridging the gap between the behavior and the reward.
In the context of teaching your cat to sit, you would use the clicker to mark the precise moment their bottom touches the ground. For example, as you hold the treat above your cat’s nose and they follow it into a sitting position, press the clicker just as they sit down. Then, immediately provide the treat as a reward. This helps your cat associate the click with the correct behavior and the treat that follows.
Before using a clicker in your training, it’s important to “charge” the clicker by creating a positive association between the click sound and receiving a treat. To do this, simply click the device and then immediately give your cat a treat, repeating the process several times in a row. This conditions your cat to understand that the sound of the clicker means they have done something right and a treat is on its way.
10. Gradually phase out the use of treats and instead reward with verbal praise and petting.
Final process helps your cat transition from relying on food rewards to understanding that your praise and affection are also rewarding.
For example, after your cat has consistently responded to the “sit” command over multiple training sessions, you can start to intermittently replace treats with verbal praise, such as saying “good sit” or “well done” in a happy and encouraging tone, along with gentle petting. This helps create a positive association between the command and the praise, even when a treat is not given.
As your cat continues to respond well to the “sit” command, gradually reduce the frequency of treats and increase the use of verbal praise and petting. Eventually, your cat will reliably sit on command without the need for a treat, responding positively to your praise and affection instead.
Becca The Crazy Cats Lady is an experienced and knoweldgeable cat owner with years of experience caring for a multi-cat household. She curates, writes and shares cat content at https://CrazyCatsLady.com.