How to Clicker Train a Cat to Target (Cat Herding 101)

Get ready! Make sure that you have your yummy treats prepared so you can quickly give your cat one piece. If you are using canned food or something else messy, put it in a spoon so your cat can get one lick of it as a reward.

Once your food is ready (and out of your cat's reach!), hold your target stick in one hand, and your clicking item in your other hand. Use whichever hand is most comfortable. Of course, if you're using your mouth to click, you've got a free hand!

Put the stick very close to your cat's nose -- half an inch is a good distance. Most cats will naturally bump the stick at this distance (if your cat doesn't, rub a tiny bit of a favorite wet food or fish juice on the stick to get your cat's interest).

The INSTANT your cat's nose bumps the stick, click! This marks that your cat did exactly what you want.

Immediately after you've clicked, give your cat a reward as fast as you can. This both rewards your cat for bumping the stick and teaches your cat that the click sound you just made means that a treat is coming.

***Steps 3-5 can be seen in the first part of the above video!***

Repeat this two more times and then stop. You can come back later in the day to practice another session, or wait until the next day.

After your cat has been successful for a few sessions (80-100% success per session), slowly move the target stick away from your cat's nose. Just a couple of inches -- enough where your cat has to stretch to reach the stick -- is good for the next level. Repeat the sessions for a few days, still doing just a few repetitions.

If your cat continues to have success, increase the distance periodically so you cat has to take 1 step, then 2, then a few steps, etc. Eventually your cat will come all the way across the room just to touch the target stick!

***Long-distance targeting shown in the second part of the above video!***