Clicker training may warm up skittish cat

February 3rd, 2009 |

Author: admin

By Steve Dale
TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Question: Our cat, Ref, has been with us for two years now but remains very skittish. We call him our "Nazi cat" because as soon as we pick him up, he pins his ears back and is ready to bolt. If we keep holding on, he scratches and bites. He also doesn’t like company; he disappears when people come over. Please don’t tell us to just give him more time; this is useless rhetoric. We need something more.

— S.J.M., Las Vegas, NV

Answer: "This is the perfect situation for clicker training," says certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger, of Redwood City, Calif. "Begin by purchasing a clicker (available at pet stores and online) and click, then reward (your cat) with food or treats. Click your cat when he’s calm, then give him a special treat. The cat will learn that the sound of the clicker means, ‘This is right, and now I get something good."’

Click when you touch the cat for just a moment, before he pins back his ears. Gradually, attempt to touch the cat longer and longer. If he still pins those ears back, you’ve done too much too quickly. Clicker training takes time but it will pay off.

"One sort of side effect of this clicker training is that will enhance your bond with your cat, and increase your cat’s trust and confidence," says Krieger.

However, let’s be real here. Not all cats like to be snuggled. You need to adjust your expectations. For many cats, it’s also perfectly normal to shy away from people they don’t know. This is particularly true of cats who weren’t socialized at a young age. When you do have visitors, toss yummy treats in your cat’s direction.

With effort, you can mold your cat’s demeanor to some degree. But Krieger also suggests, "Be more accepting and adjust the expectations you have for your cat. Perhaps previous cats have been more outgoing. Remember, some people are shy and so are some cats."

Steve Dale hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale’s Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He’s also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.