In a word, yes! A "trick" can be any simple task that would come naturally to the cat (or dog, rabbit, parrot, even goldfish). Some examples for cats are sitting down, jumping through a low hoop, and retrieving a thrown toy. Although some cats admittedly are more willing to learn than others, your efforts can be rewarded (with some fun activities for both of you). If the "trick" itself involves fun or food, it can be self-rewarding.

What treats capture your cat's interests? Consider commercial treats, tuna, olives, popcorn, catnip, or anything for which your cat will "work." Once you have a reward in hand, the key, as with training any species, is patience. Does your cat naturally retrieve crumpled balls of paper? Have a treat ready the next time she brings one back to you. Does she naturally attempt to eat a piece of food held out to her? Place a small hoop between her and the food, and immediately reward her for stepping through. As long as reinforcement is consistent and well-timed (immediately following the desired behavior), you'll soon find yourself with a happily compliant performer.

Important Starting Notes

Keep the training sessions short. You want your cat to enjoy his training, not to be bored or annoyed by it.

Always precede a command with your cat's name. We'll use the name Scooter .- i.e."Scooter, down.¡±

Always hit the clicker at the exact moment your cat is performing the desired behavior. Even the slightest mistiming could reinforce the wrong behavior.

Always give your cat his food reward immediately after you give your signal noise. This way, he knows the signal means a reward.

Remember that you are trying to reinforce the spoken command. And after your cat has performed the behavior correctly and is rewarded, continue repeating the command in a positive way- i.e. ¡°Sit, good sit. ¡°

Make sure your cat succeeds. If your cat isn¡¯t succeeding with the desired behavior, you¡¯re progressing to quickly. Go back to the previous training until you and your cat understand each other. Cats need the positive reinforcement that comes with success.

Teach your cat only one new behavior at a time. You can reinforce tricks your cat has mastered, but do not confuse him by teaching him more than one new behavior at a time.

We recommend using a spoon to hold the food reward when training your cat. This way you can reward the cat from the spoon without constantly bending over. The spoon also comes in handy for tricks where you hold the food over or in front of the cat.

Come On Command

Once your cat comes to his feeding area at the sound of the clicker, this trick is an easy step. It¡¯s like a game of hide and seek for you and your cat. The goal is for your cat to come to you in any location when you give the command ¡°come¡± and hit the clicker. Eventually, your cat should come to you on just the spoken command, with you hitting the clicker as his signal that he has done correctly.

What You¡¯ll Need:

• Your cat at mealtime.
• Quiet room where the cat is comfortable.
• A specific command and gesture - in this case, the word "come" preceded by your cat's name- i.e. "Scooter, come.¡±
• Your signal (buzzer, clicker).
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc).

Training Steps

1. Make sure the cat is within hearing distance.
2. Clearly give the command "Scooter, come" then hit the clicker two or three times.
3. When the cat comes to you, hit the clicker again and say "come, good come" in a praising way. Immediately give him his food reward.
4. Move to a new location and repeat this pattern.
5. Eventually, your cat should come to the command "come." Then you will hit the clicker just as a reward signal when your cat gets to you. After you hit the clicker, immediately give him his food reward.

Sit

This command is a foundation for many other ticks and behaviors. Your goal is to have your cat sit down when you give the command "sit".

What You'll Need :

• Your cat before mealtime.
• A quiet area where the cat is comfortable.
• A specific command and gesture - in this case, the word "sit" preceded by your cat's name i.e. "Scooter, sit".
• Your signal (buzzer, clicker) .
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc.)
• A spoon to hold the reward.

Training Steps

1. Gently put the cat on the table at the edge closest to you and pet him so he is comfortable.
2. Give the command "Scooter, sit" while moving the spoon with his food reward over his head.
3. As he tips his head back following the food, he will sit to keep his balance. When he sits, hit the clicker and say "sit, good sit¡±. Immediately give him his food reward.
4. Eventually you should repeat this pattern until your cat responds to the command "sit" without having to move the food over his head.
5. Once your cat has learned this behavior, you no longer need to place the cat on the table to sit.

Note: In the beginning, if your cat does not sit on his own, you can gently press down on his hindquarters. Then hit the clicker and say "sit, good sit¡±. This will be easy with some cats others may resist being helped into sitting. Be gentle and patient. Remember not to frustrate or frighten your cat. If he resists, try again another time. It's always better to have him sit on his own.

Sit Up

Sitting up, like a dog's "beg," is one of the simplest behaviors to teach your cat. Cats often assume this position naturally. Your goal is to have cat sit up on his haunches when you give the command "sit up" while you hold the food reward above him - and eventually on the command alone.

What You'll Need :

• Your cat before mealtime.
• A specific command and gesture - in this case, the word "sit up" preceded by your cat's name i.e. "Scooter, sit up.¡±
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc.).
• A spoon to hold the reward.

Training steps

1. Gently sit the cat on the table at the edge closest to you and pet him so he is comfortable.
2. Give the command "Scooter, sit up" while holding the spoon with the food directly above the cat (but not close enough where he can grab it).
3. When he stands on his hind legs or haunches and reaches for the food in the manner you want him to, hit the clicker and say "up, good sit up." Immediately give him his food reward.
4. Eventually you cat should respond to the command "sit up" without the food held above him.
5. Once your cat has learned this behavior, you no longer need to place the cat on a table to do a sit up.

Note: If your cat stands on his back legs verses sitting on his haunches, slowly move the food back over his head. To keep from tipping over, he will sit down on his haunches. Remember to hit your signal when he is in the position you want.

Laying Down

Teaching your cat to lay down on command is another "table top" trick. Your goal is to have your cat lay down on the command "down."

What You'll Need:

• Your cat before mealtime.
• A quiet area where the cat is comfortable.
• A table for the cat.
• A specific command and gesture - in this case, the word "down" preceded by your cat's name.
• Your signal (buzzer, clicker).
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc.).

Training Steps

1. Gently sit the cat on the table at the edge closest to you and pet him so he is comfortable.
2. Give the command "Scooter, down" while holding the food reward in one hand slightly below and in front of the table (but not close enough where he can grab it).
3. When the cat lowers* for the food into a laying position, hit the clicker and say "down, good down." Immediately give him his food reward.
4. Eventually your cat should respond to the command "down" and your downward gesturing hand without the food being held below the table's edge.
5. Once your cat has learned this behavior consistently, you no longer need to place the cat on a table.

*Note: Like in sit, in the beginning, you might have to gently help your cat into position for this trick. Be gentle and patient. Remember not to frustrate or frighten your cat. If he resists, try again another time.

Touching a Prop

This behavior is fun to teach your cat because it is easy and can be used in a variety of ways. The goal is for your cat to touch a prop object with his front paw when you give the command "foot" or "paw¡±. You should only teach this trick when your cat has accomplished a consistent sit on command.

What You'll Need:

• Your cat before mealtime
• A table for the cat.
• An object for the cat to touch that is sturdy and will not fall over when the cat touches it (like a small toy or a stack of books).
• A specific command and gesture - the word "foot" or "paw" proceeded by your cat's name. *
• Your signal (buzzer, clicker).
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc.).

Training Steps

1. Instruct your cat to sit on the table following the instructions provided under "sit."
2. Place the object at the edge if the table between you and the cat.
3. Hold the food reward directly in front of your cat so the object is between the cat and the food.
4. Give the command "Scooter, foot (paw)" while tapping the object with your other hand.
5. As he reaches for the food, if he touches or steps on the object, hit the clicker and say "foot (paw), good foot (paw)." Immediately give him his food reward.
6. If he isn't touching the object, try slightly waving the food reward so he is apt to bat at it. Again if his foot touches the object hit the clicker and reward him.
7. Eventually your cat should respond to the command "foot (paw)" and your tapping the object.
8. Once your cat has learned this behavior consistently, you no longer need to place the cat on a table.

*Note: You may want to try using a different command for each front paw, such as "foot" for his right paw and "paw" for his left paw. You can then train your cat to use a specific paw to touch an object.

Walking On A Leash

Responsible cat owners will find this behavior has important safety benefits. With the dangers of dogs, disease, cars and unwanted litters, having your cat on leash when outdoors is a good way to ensure he has many happy, healthy years.

Leash training a cat is very similar to leash training a puppy. It takes time and patience. The difference is, when people are leash training a struggling, pulling puppy, they persist with patience. They know eventually the puppy will learn.

With a cat, as soon as he objects, the owner gives up. Well, don't give up. Your cat can get used to a leash just as well as your dog. Your goal is to be able to take your cat outdoors on a leash and walk short distances using the command "heel."

What You'll Need :

• Your cat before mealtime.
• A harness (not a collar) and a short leash.
• A specific command and gesture - the word "heel" preceded by your cat's name.
• Your signal (buzzer, clicker).
• The reward (his favorite food, special treats, etc.).
• A spoon to hold the reward. (You may also want to tape the spoon to a stick or wooden dowel so you won't have to bend over.)

Training Steps

1. Spend a week or two getting the cat used to the harness. Put it on him when you feed him so he develops a positive "association" with his harness. Remember to click the clicker while the cat is eating with the harness on.
2. After your cat is comfortable with the harness, you may attach the leash. Be sure to start the leash training inside your home so your cat feels safe and secure.
3. Put the cat down at your side and hold onto the leash.
4. Give the command "Scooter, heel" while you slowly move forward holding a piece of food in front of the cat.
5. When he takes a step or two forward toward the food, hit the clicker and say "heel, good heel." Immediately give him his food reward.
6. Repeat this pattern, each time taking a step or two more until your cat responds to the command "heel" and moves forward as you do.
7. Do not take this trick outdoors until your cat is very comfortable with the harness and leash. When you do go outdoors, take it slow - let him explore the area in front of your home at first before venturing out into the neighborhood.

Note: Although cats can be leashed trained just like dogs, they will not "trot around the block" like dogs. When you walk with your cat outdoors, he may stop frequently and examine the world around him. Over time, he will come to enjoy his leash and harness.