5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Clicker Training Your Cat for Better Behaviour: How this Transformed our cat Woolfie’s Behaviour and Our Relationship for the Better.
If you've ever tried to photograph or simply live with a mischievous cat, you know how challenging it can be. Cats, with their independent and unpredictable nature, often seem immune to traditional training methods. But what if there was a way to improve your cat’s behaviour, make them more cooperative, and even strengthen your bond? Enter clicker training. In this blog, I’ll share the story of how clicker training transformed our naughty and disruptive cat, Woolfie, and why you should consider it for your own feline miscreant!
The Story of Woolfie: From Attention Seeking Naughtiness to Calm Cat.
Woolfie wasn’t just any cat; he was a whirlwind of mischief. From knocking over fragile items to scratching every piece of furniture in the house, Woolfie’s behaviour made life at home more chaotic than peaceful. He would deliberately annoy our other cats, yow for attention, climb up on top of dangerous places seeking attention, and find any piece of trouble he could possibly be involved in. After many decades of having cats in my life, Woolfie came up with many new moves in terms of naughtiness.
Despite trying various methods to curb his destructive tendencies, nothing seemed to work. That’s when I stumbled upon clicker training for cats, a technique I initially associated with dogs but was curious to try with Woolfie.
To my surprise, Woolfie responded to clicker training immediately. I can hear you say to yourself: “Oh well he must be really intelligent then, my cat’s not blessed in that department!” Let me put your mind at rest….without any malice at all….Woolfie is as thick as two planks! (sorry Woolfie) Of all the cats I’ve had in my life, he’s the least intelligent of any of them. So I wasn’t holding out much hope when I started clicker training him. But he surprised me there with just how quickly he took to it. What I did quickly learn was that it wasn’t about his level of intelligence, it was about playing to his desires. And in his case, I realised that all his naughtiness was attention seeking, and of course he responded well to getting treats and lots of praise. He wanted to know he was special, get lots of praise and VIP treatment, and that’s what clicker training gave him.
The simple association of the clicker sound with a treat began to reshape his behaviour. He started sitting on command, using his scratching post instead of the sofa, and even staying calm during what used to be stressful moments, like vet visits.
In fact, he did so well at clicker training that he learnt some real advanced tricks, which we now show off every time he goes to the vets. The vets love seeing him “Perform” and he loves all the attention and soon forgets he’s there for treatment.
Over time, this training not only improved his behaviour but also brought us closer, turning frustrating moments into bonding opportunities. It was plain to see that Woolfie felt truly special and unique thanks to his clicker training. He fed off the praise, which quickly came to replace his previously negative reinforcement of constantly being told off.
In this blog, I’ll delve into five key reasons why clicker training could be the answer to your cat’s behaviour challenges, just as it was for Woolfie. We’ll cover everything from improving your cat’s behaviour and reducing anxiety to enhancing your relationship and even helping with pet photography.
1. Improve Your Cat's Behaviour with Positive Reinforcement
How to turn your cheeky reprobate of a cat into a model citizen for good behaviour - clicker training!
One of the most significant benefits of clicker training is its ability to improve your cat’s behaviour through positive reinforcement. Unlike traditional methods that might involve negative consequences, clicker training focuses on rewarding the behaviours you want to see more of. This not only makes the training process more enjoyable for your cat but also helps them learn faster.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
Cats, like many animals, respond well to positive reinforcement because it taps into their natural instincts. When a cat performs a behaviour that leads to a reward, such as a treat or affection, they are more likely to repeat that behaviour. The clicker acts as a clear, consistent marker that lets your cat know exactly what behaviour is being rewarded, making it easier for them to understand and learn.
How Clicker Training Transformed Woolfie’s Behaviour
Before clicker training, Woolfie’s behaviour was often destructive and unpredictable. He would scratch furniture, knock over objects, annoy his sister cats and generally cause havoc around the house. However, once we started using the clicker, his behaviour began to change quite quickly. For instance, every time Woolfie used his scratching post instead of the couch, I would click and immediately give him a treat. Over time, he learned that using the scratching post led to rewards, and the furniture scratching stopped.
Also, the clicker training doesn’t have to directly address a specific behaviour. For instance, a lot of what Woolfie was doing was random and never repeated, he’d move on to a new form of naughtiness. But as mentioned previously, he wanted attention, and by giving him positive attention, lots of praise, lots of treats, he soon realised he didn’t need to do his naughty behaviour to get the attention he so desparately needed, but could get it by being “good!” Seeking praise became his new addiction.
Shaping Desirable Behaviours
Clicker training is also effective for shaping new, desirable behaviours. For example, you can use the clicker to teach your cat to come when called, sit on command, or even perform tricks. By breaking down complex behaviours into smaller steps and rewarding each successful attempt, you can guide your cat toward the desired outcome without causing confusion or stress. Woolfie very quickly learnt how to perform the following comands, and he’s retained these tricks easily, without the need for much re-inforcement throughout time. He’s learnt: sit; beg; jump through the hoop; jump over my legs; high five, paw; shake, stay.
2. Strengthen the Bond Between You and Your Cat
Another powerful reason to consider clicker training is its ability to strengthen the bond between you and your cat. Training sessions are more than just opportunities to teach your cat new tricks; they’re a time for interaction, communication, and mutual understanding. I swear, that after a training session, which only last 5 mins in our house, Woolfie has his shoulders back and head held high. He’s visibly pleased with himself, and he feels special after the one-to-one attention he’s just received, not to mention the treats. He always comes over to me for cuddles after a training session, so it’s clear he’s feeling happy with his world and more bonded with me as a result.
Building Trust Through Training
One of the most rewarding aspects of clicker training Woolfie was watching how it transformed our relationship. Initially, Woolfie’s behaviour created a lot of tension in our household. However, as we began to train together, something remarkable happened: Woolfie started to trust me more. He began to see me not just as someone who fed him or that annoying mum who always told him off, but as a partner in fun and rewarding activities.
Enhancing Communication
Clicker training also enhances communication between you and your cat. The clicker provides a clear and consistent signal that helps bridge the communication gap, making it easier for your cat to understand what you’re asking of them. This clear communication leads to less frustration on both sides and more positive interactions, which naturally strengthens your bond.
Shared Successes and Joy
Each time Woolfie successfully completed a behaviour, it wasn’t just a victory for him—it was a shared success for both of us. These small victories added up over time, creating a sense of teamwork and mutual respect. The training sessions became something we both looked forward to, turning what was once a source of frustration into an opportunity for connection.
3. Provide Mental Stimulation and Reduce Boredom
Cats are intelligent creatures that require mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Without enough mental engagement, they can become bored, which often leads to undesirable behaviours such as excessive scratching, aggression, causing trouble in the home or even depression. Clicker training provides an excellent way to keep your cat’s mind active and engaged.
Mental Stimulation Through Learning
Just like humans, cats need challenges to keep their minds sharp. Clicker training offers a form of mental exercise by encouraging your cat to think, learn, and solve problems. Whether you’re teaching them a new trick or reinforcing a basic command, the process of learning itself is mentally stimulating and fulfilling for your cat.
Reducing Boredom-Related Behaviours
Boredom is a common cause of destructive behaviour in cats. Woolfie’s behaviour was a classic case of boredom. However, once we began clicker training, these behaviours started to diminish. The training sessions provided Woolfie with the mental stimulation he craved, reducing his need to find other, less desirable ways to entertain himself.
Enriching Your Cat’s Environment
Clicker training also encourages you to create a more enriched environment for your cat. By introducing new challenges, toys, and activities into their daily routine, you can keep their environment dynamic and engaging. For Woolfie, this meant incorporating new and more challenging training sessions that not only entertained him but also provided valuable mental exercise.
4. Make Vet Visits and Grooming Less Stressful
Vet visits and grooming sessions can be incredibly stressful for cats, leading to anxiety, resistance, and sometimes even aggression. Clicker training can help reduce this stress by desensitizing your cat to these experiences and teaching them to associate them with positive outcomes.
Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning
One of the most effective ways to reduce stress during vet visits and grooming is through desensitization and counter-conditioning. Desensitization involves gradually exposing your cat to the experience in a controlled, positive way, while counter-conditioning involves changing your cat’s emotional response to the experience from negative to positive.
How Clicker Training Helped Woolfie
Before clicker training, Woolfie dreaded vet visits. He would become anxious and try to escape in an attempt to avoid these experiences. However, by using the clicker to reward calm behaviour during vet visits, Woolfie began to associate these experiences with positive outcomes. Our vets know that he’s clicker trained, so the first thing they do if look out the Tuna parfait, which he absolutely loves. And then we work together to reinforce his good and calm behaviour, with lots of praise and parfait!
Creating Positive Associations
By performing his little routine every time at the vets, our cat now associates vet’s visits with treats and praise, which in his book is all good.
5. Capture Better Photos by Training Your Cat to Pose
As a pet photographer, capturing the perfect shot of a cat can be a daunting task. Cats are known for their independent and often unpredictable behaviour, which can make them challenging subjects. Clicker training, however, can make a significant difference in your ability to capture stunning photos of your feline friend.
Encouraging Poses and Stillness
One of the most practical applications of clicker training for photography is teaching your cat to hold specific poses or stay still long enough for you to capture the perfect shot. By using the clicker to mark and reward the desired behaviour, you can gradually train your cat to sit, stand, or even lie down on command, making photoshoots much easier and more productive. I use Woolfie as my model in the studio from time to time, and he’s so easy to work with, he’ll do anything I ask of him.
Reducing Anxiety During Photoshoots
Many cats become anxious or restless during photoshoots, especially if they’re in an unfamiliar environment or being asked to interact with new objects. Clicker training can help reduce this anxiety by gradually desensitizing your cat to the camera, lights, and other equipment. By rewarding calm behaviour and gradually introducing new elements, you can create a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for your cat. Even for cats that aren’t clicker trained, I always go through my routine of desensitising them to the studio lights, and usually their pet parents are amazed at the results.
Woolfie’s Photographic Transformation
Before clicker training, photographing Woolfie was a challenge. He would rarely stay still long enough for me to get a good shot, and if he did, he often looked uninterested. However, once I began incorporating clicker training into our photography sessions, Woolfie became more cooperative, relaxed and interactive.
You can see here in this video, that I hold my hand up and make various signs to Woolfie, all part of his training. I no longer hold a clicker though, I can manage a really sharp click with my tongue and use that to reinforce his behaviour, which helps when I need my hands free for the camera…and most importantly in Woolfie’s eyes - treats!!!!
Woolfie posing very serenely on our beautiful sofa, and looking me directly in the eye, after he was asked to stay.
Summary
I’d highly recommend you at least try some clicker training with your cat(s)…they really will surprise you with how quickly they catch on. I’d say it doesn’t have anything to do with intelligence, our ultra-smart cat Ada isn’t interested in training at all. But then she’s not treat or attention seeking motivated in the way her brother is. So if your cat feeds off of praise and treats, you can bet they’re a great candidate for clicker training.
I’ll post some helpful video links below of how to get started with clicker training, and if you’d like to chat and ask me how I could capture your beautiful cat’s portrait, then please book a free consultation call.
See my video of working with Woolfie here!
And another short reel of me teaching Woolfie to give me a paw.