When cats fetch, or follow commands like ¡°sit¡± or ¡°shake,¡± people say the cat is being dog-like. Not at all, Gordon says. ¡°You simply have a responsive cat, more alert to you, with a more active mind. And the exercise is good. All in all, you have a happier cat.¡±
Karen Payne spent nine years performing with Princess Kitty, whom she touted as the world¡¯s smartest cat. The team astounded audiences who watched them on TV or saw them in person in schools, hospitals and nursing homes. While the Princess, who passed away in 1995, did have an amazing repertoire of 100 tricks, Payne says any cat can learn.
Learning at least one command may save your cat¡¯s life. ¡°If you can only teach your cat one thing, teach the come command,¡± says Payne. ¡°If Princess Kitty somehow got loose from her harness or there was a fire and I needed to call her, I knew she would come when I called.¡±
When most cats are called, it¡¯s true they¡¯ll turn a cool shoulder and slink off in the opposite direction. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean these cats can¡¯t learn to come, and it doesn¡¯t mean these cats don¡¯t know their names or what you¡¯re asking. It does mean you haven¡¯t convinced your smart cat it¡¯s in its best interest to come.
Gordon explains, ¡°Cats are more egotistical than dogs. Dogs have been bred for millions of years to please their people. And dogs will instinctively obey dominant pack members.¡±
When you think about it, many cats already know the come command -- except instead of reacting to their names, they respond to the electric can opener or the opening of the fridge door.
Gordon says you can teach any cat of any age to come, even the most finicky of felines who you might have given up as hopeless. Pair the cat¡¯s name with sound; the can opener can suffice, but using a little diner bell or a whistle is more practical. Begin with the cat nearby, and every time you¡¯re about to feed kitty, shake the bell or toot the whistle as you repeat, ¡°Flossy, come!¡± Naturally, the cat will smell the food and respond.
Then extend the distance. Once kitty is responding at a run, you¡¯re ready to chime the bell or whistle at unexpected times and from other places in the house. You can make the game even more exciting by sometimes offering just plain old food (just before the cat¡¯s usual feeding time), but at other times rewarding with tidbits of chicken (some trainers use chicken baby food) , liver treats or anything else your cat really loves. Soon, you can phase out the bell or whistle, and just call, ¡°Flossy, come!¡± The response will be as automatic as it is in the most obedient dog.
For a great kitty workout, and as an upbeat way for the kids to interact with the cat, play hide-and-seek. Begin simply by hiding around the corner and calling, "Flossy, come!¡± Soon, you can hide under tables or behind furniture and Flossy will bolt around the house until she finds the person with the tasty morsel.
Excerpts taken from the article "Train Your Cat, Too" by Steve Dale in the Fall 1998 Issue of Pet Life Magazine
