Some pet parents believe that cats cannot be trained to respond to commands as dogs do, but this is far from the truth. If you can put in some time and work, your furbaby could easily be taught to obey basic commands.
It may take time, but it’s worth it when you see the result. Once you’ve mastered this process with your feline friend, you can use it to easily train them on other behaviors and cues.
Read on to learn how to train your cat to sit with our simple step-by-step guide.
Can Cats Learn How to Sit?
Yes, cats can learn how to sit on command. The time required for the training will differ with every cat but it is generally good to train them from an early age.
Cats are intelligent animals, and they have a strong desire to please their owners, including obeying basic commands and responding when they’re called.
The trick to successful pet training is having patience and using positive reinforcement techniques instead of negative ones.
How To Train Your Cat to Sit
To start with, it’s important that you set aside some time for training your feline friend. You’ll want to devote at least 5 minutes daily to the process.
This should be done in a quiet room where there is no other activity going on which could distract your cat from the training process. You will also require some yummy, easy-to-chew treats that your cat loves.
And finally, remember that patience is key. Do not be disheartened if you see that your furbaby is not responding the way you thought they would.
Choose the cue word that you will use to ask your cat to sit. Do not be tied up with what’s common to us, you can choose any words that you would love to associate with your cat. Verbal cues like ‘sit’, ‘sit down’, ‘get down’, or any other phrase you love will work well.
Now let’s look at the process;
Step 1: Get down on your knees to be on the same level as your cat. If you have a playful cat, you can put them on a leash to get their full attention during the session.
Step 2: Hold the treat with your hands and make sure the cat gets the smell. This will keep them alert and trying to figure out how to get the treat.
Step 3: Let your cat smell the treat and slowly lift it from their nose to the head. This will make them create a natural sitting position.
Step 4: Slide your hand with the treat above your kitty’s head, down to the nose, and back to the head, while uttering your verbal cue with a hand signal.
Step 5: Once your cat sits, you can use a clicker to let them know they’ve done something right then reward them with a treat. If you don’t have a clicker, you can sound a verbal phrase like ‘yes’ to show your contentment, then give a treat.
Step 6: Repeat steps 2 to 5, but don’t hand-feed your cat this time round. Throw the treat at a distance and let them walk to get it. When coming back, say your cue word while pairing it with the hand signal and see how they respond.
Step 7: Repeat this procedure now without the treats in your hand. Wave your hand down while signaling your cat to sit with the verbal cue. Once they get down, say ‘yes’ and give them a treat.
When your cat gets the signals right a couple of times, you can then reduce the reliance on treats to get them to sit on command without reinforcement.
You can then stand up and stay away from your cat at a distance. Ask them to sit, and monitor how they respond to your command.
Training your cat doesn’t have to be stressful or intimidating. Much of it boils down to understanding what they find rewarding so they continue doing what you want them to do repeatedly.
A Few Things to Take into Account
1. Train in short sessions
The most productive way to train a cat is to do so for brief periods. You should engage with your cat for about 3 to 5 minutes in every sitting, then take a 1-minute break if need be.
The cat will learn faster if you use a training process that requires them to focus on one short task at a time.
2. Make the training fun
Cats respond well to fun activities, so make the training enjoyable for your cat by doing things they love after they respond. For example, during the first sessions, you can pet your kitty every time they sit on command.
3. Have patience and be consistent
Training your cat will take time, all you need is a fixed goal and you’re set. Cats are creatures of habit, and they like a clear-cut routine When you start training them, try to keep things consistent and precise.
4. Celebrate milestones no matter how small
As with training any other pet, you will likely meet a few hurdles along the way. These may be caused by several things, from the age of your cat to their temperament and personality.
However, you should not be troubled because all cats can be trained. Always stay positive and watch out for the milestones your furbaby is making.
Celebrate the little steps by rewarding your cat. This will help to keep them willing to learn more tricks and commands.
To Conclude
Cats can be trained to sit on command, but it’s important to know that all cats are different. What might work for some cats might not work for other cats.
Remember to be patient and broad-minded during the training period. Do not hesitate to tweak a few steps or try something different that might work well for your cat.
You should never punish your cat for not showing progress in the training. This will only make things worse. Happy training!
About the Author
Laura is a passionate animal lover and a pet expert with more than 20 years of experience working with dogs and cats. She runs a pet blog at FursnPaws.com. Her love for animals motivated her to start her own pet sitting and pet photography business a few years ago and now spends most of her days caring for pets.
