Cat Clicker Training for Shelter Animals.
Humane Society of Chittenden County http://www.chittendenhumane.org/
I started clicker training my own cats (three very cherished HSCC alumni) about five years ago, after I saw a presentation at a conference. I was amazed at how quickly they learned and retained instructions; they now have a sizable repertoire of “tricks”- sit, high five, low five, “sit pretty”, and “play piano”, among others.
In 2006, I began clicker training the cats at HSCC, using tips from other shelters that employed this method. The results were immediate and gratifying. Most cats were enthusiastic about the training, and responded in a positive manner. Clicker training in a shelter environment is a bit different than working with cats in a home; the focus is on having the cats come to the front of their cage, touching a “target” (I use a straw) with their nose or paws, or sitting up on their back legs for a tasty bit of tuna. The clicking sound effectively reinforces the desired behavior. The important thing is that the cats are having a good time interacting with a caring person.
It’s a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for cats that are in cages. Even shy and anxious cats seem to benefit from this activity; we’ve seen a number of them “come out of their shells” after just a few training sessions. An outgoing, friendly, and curious cat is much more appealing to a potential adopter, and clicker training certainly brings out these qualities in the shelter residents!
I’ve been having a lot of fun with this program, and I would love to have more people of all ages involved with it. I am always willing to demonstrate the methods at the shelter; it doesn’t take long to learn. The only requirements are a little time and tuna, and a lot of love and appreciation for the wonderful felines at HSCC!
For more information about this and other programs; please visit us at:
Humane Society of Chittenden County http://www.chittendenhumane.org/
or email us at
bestfriends@chittendenhumane.org
Good job you’re doing and obviously the cats enjoy the litle extra stimuli and the contact with you. They’re all beautiful cats. I hope they’ll find a nice home.
I’d start by charging the clicker- give kitty a tasty treat and click as you give it to her. Then, move back while offering a treat and saying “Come!”. As soon as she comes toward you, click and treat. Increase the distance with each training session. Hope that helps!
just to ask, in order to clicker train a cat to come on my command, should i then just point to myself, say the command, and keep doing that till the kitten comes to me and then reawrd? or is there some other method i should use to get it to come to me?
Tuna fish, usually. It’s cheap, it appeals to most cats, and it doesn’t contain a lot of chemicals and preservatives. If a cat is on a restricted diet, I use a a little bit of it’s special food.
Why types of treats do you use?
I’m happy to say that Syd finally went to his forever home last week! He’s been at the shelter since last November.
Just wondering . . . Is Syd still there or now in his forever home? Please tell!
Thanks! Our shelter’s cats love the training sessions, and it really is incredibly easy to do. Karen Pryor’s website has some great tips for starting a shelter program.
P.S. All of the cats in the video have found homes except Syd, the one-eared tux; he is still waiting for his family, but is no longer in a cage. He currently rules over one of the community rooms.
I’m sending this video to the volunteer coordinator at the shelter where I volunteer.
Wondeful job helping to keep these cats intellectually stimulated while improving their socialization. It must be very rewarding to see a shy cat open up and start to interact with you, and moreso when they eventually interact openly with other people!
Great job! Fact is, it works. Congrats on providing those poor guys something to stimulate their minds while waiting for homes. My cat Gideon came from AZ Humane Society, and I trained many of the same tricks as you with a clicker. In one of my videos you can hear it, in the other I have graduated to just clicking my tongue-he responds the same. Hopefully the new owners keep up the training at home! Cats NEED this sort of thing.
Very good video and lesson. Thanks!