How to Clicker Train a Cat to a Paw Target (Cat Herding 102)

If you've already done Cat Herding 101, then you know how to train your cat to touch a target stick with its nose. Now it's time to teach your cat how to do the same thing, but using its paw!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a clicker
• treats your cat loves
• a target stick with a different end -- I suggest adding a ball to the opposite end of your current target stick

1. As before, prepare things so that you can quickly give a treat to your cat as soon as s/he does the right thing.
2. Holding the clicker in one hand (if you are not clicking with your tongue), put the ball on the target stick in front of your cat. Make short, jerky movements with the ball to entice your cat to swat at it.
3. As soon as your cat's paw touches the ball, click! Immediately give your cat a reward for touching the ball.
4. Repeat this 2-3 more times. Again, take a break before you do another session.
5. After you've done a few sessions with a few repetitions each, and your cat is successful (80% or better), make the jerky movements with the ball smaller. After a few sessions, you should be able to just present the ball and your cat will touch it.
6. If you like, you can add distance from the ball like you did with the nose target (Cat Herding 101).

Tips & Warnings

• Adapt to your cat! If your cat likes to swat at things on the ground, move the ball end of the stick on the ground. If your cat likes to bat at things in the air, keep it off the ground.
• If you start with the ball on the ground, you will need to move slowly if you want your cat to touch the ball when it's not on the ground. Lift it half an inch at a time, always making sure your cat will still touch the ball 80% or more of the time for a few sessions before lifting the ball higher.