"Dogs have masters, cats have staff" - most cat owners probably agree with this saying. But this does not mean that a cat can not learn tricks! Because if the velvet paws have fun, they join in willingly. For example, in a classic among the tricks - the fetch. We explain how you can teach it to your cat.
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| "Bring the mouse!": How does the cat learn to fetch? |
Can cats retrieve like a dog?
"Fetch the stick" we know - but "bring the mouse" sounds unusual? In fact, many cats find great joy in playing fetch! As with dogs, the desire to retrieve is often innate - or not. Especially active and agile cats like oriental breeds find fun in it and enjoy playing together with their two-legged friends. You can see a Bengal cat retrieving with obvious joy in this video. Rather cozy velvet paws like British Shorthair or Persian are more often skeptical about retrieving. Just try it out if your cat participates enthusiastically. But don't be overly ambitious if she gracefully ignores the "fetch training".
How to teach a cat to retrieve
Before you enthusiastically start training, take to heart: not every cat enjoys playing fetch. Some start bringing toys back on their own. Others need more practice before they understand what their owner wants them to do, but discover the fun of exercise. But some velvet paws are not the least bit interested in retrieving something for their human. In this case, do not be disappointed - after all, we love cats for their own "(thick) head.
Let cat fetch - step by step
- Find the right toy: Allowed is what your cat likes - and fits well in its mouth. For example, cat play balls or mice are suitable. Some cats like to retrieve a small ball of newspaper or drag the whole play rod behind them.
- Suitable environment: To make the first retrieval attempts on a freshly bloomed spring meadow with butterflies is not a good idea. It is better to practice indoors at the beginning and choose a time when there are few distractions. That way, your velvet paw will stay more focused.
- Good timing: a full belly doesn't like to exercise. This is also true for cats. It's best to schedule small retrieving sessions before feeding times.
- Let's go: If the toy is new to the cat, give him time to explore it thoroughly. Always praise the cat when it accidentally takes the toy into its mouth - but never force it to do so.
- Next step: If the velvet paw notices that it is rewarded as soon as it takes the toy into the mouth, it goes to the next step. Place the object to be retrieved a "cat's jump" away on the floor. Reward the cat as soon as he picks it up and keeps it in his mouth.
- Retrieve: Once the cat is familiar with the toy and picks it up on its own, throw the object a few feet away. With luck, the pelt-nose will follow your throw, take it in its mouth, and be lured back to you without letting go of it. Don't be disappointed if it doesn't work right away. Teaching a cat a trick requires patience.
- Small sessions: Practice for only a few minutes at a time - this keeps the training interesting and the cat focused. Conclude each session with a nice experience, i.e. praise or a treat when the cat does something well. If you become impatient, you better take a break, because your restlessness is transferred to the velvet paw. For your four-legged friend, learning little tricks like fetch should always be a welcome change without pressure or coercion.
- A very special toy: Stow the fetch toy best in a place inaccessible to the cat. Then she connects "the white mouse" with her training sessions and knows exactly what to do now.
Tip: Clicker training for fetching
You can train more specifically if you use clicker training as a learning method. Here you reinforce the desired behavior of your little tiger with clicks. With the retrieve training you click therefore always
- when the cat takes the toy into its mouth
- when it runs after the toy
- when he takes the toy into his mouth on the distant position
- when it comes back to you with toy - click at every step in the right direction!
We wish you much success - and fun - with your retrieve training!
Thanks for reading: "Bring the mouse!": How does the cat learn to fetch?, Sorry, my English is bad:)