Training Your Cats III - Teaching Your Cats to Do Tricks

Cats are not only capable of learning simple commands: they enjoy interaction with their owner too. So as not to confuse them, work with one command at a time.Be consistent and patient, letting your cat work at its own speed. Reward the cat enthusiastically at the first sign of understanding. You may also teach them other tricks include:

Come
With a food treat in hand and preferably when your cat is hungry, call 'come'. As it comes to investigate, praise it and give it the treat. The cat will quickly learn to associate the food with the command. Never call a cat to punish him or to do something that he does not enjoy.

Shake-'hand'
Not only that dogs know how to shake paw, cats can do that as well. With your cat sitting in front of you, touch his paw and say 'shake'. As soon as it lifts the paw, shake it and give him a treat and praise.

Sit Up 
With your cat in a  sitting  position, hold a treat over its head and say 'sit up'. Do not give him the reward if it stands or grabs at the treat but repeat the command and try again. When it sits up, give it the treat immediately.

Playing Fetch
To teach fetch, it helps if your cat has an oral fixation. It should like carrying things around in its mouth. If you notice a kitten walking around with a toy in its mouth, give it plenty of praise. The more excited your cat is about the fetch object, the more likely it will 'grab' it and carry it away. Throw the toy and command 'fetch'. Unlike teaching other tricks, a food reward is less effective in encouraging a cat to fetch. The reward is that the object is thrown again. The cat must enjoy the game of fetch or else it will simply chase the ball without returning it to you.

Agility Training & Competition
A new competition offered at some cat shows is called cat agility. Similar to dog agility, a cat and its handler negotiate an obstacle course designed to demonstrate the cat's athletic ability, speed, coordination and the quality of the animal's training relationship with the owner. The event is timed, with points taken off for obstacles missed or incomplete. Typical obstacles include ramps, platforms, tunnels, jumps, hoop, weave poles and steps.