Trying to teach a cat something
By snowy
@snowy22315 (182193)
United States
November 24, 2021 9:21am CST
So, while we are gone, I don't want Nico to get too bored so I have been loading treats into a puzzle ball one you roll and the treats come out. I have tried this before, but the concept didn't seem to get through, so am trying it again. He needs to associate rolling the ball with the treats, but when the treats end up on the floor, he just focuses on them, and forgets about the ball. This is going to take some time to get this concept across. Have you ever tried to teach a cat something? How long did it take?
10 people like this
11 responses
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Well, if he is an outside cat he shouldn't get bored.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472114)
• Switzerland
24 Nov 21
@snowy22315 He goes in the garden and he sleeps all the day long.
When he wakes up he jumps on the window to let me know he wants to come inside for a while, he stays 10 minutes, asks for food and back again sleeping.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
24 Nov 21
I have one of those and my cats love it. One of my cats love to eat so he figured it out quickly. Now though he just sits there and lets the other cat knock the treats out and he eats them.
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@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Nico is very food motivated too, so he should get this. I have told him treats are in there, he smells them in there, but like I said he just finds the treats on the floor after the ball has rolled and eats them. We will try later tonight again.
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@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
24 Nov 21
@snowy22315 I am sure he will eventually catch on.
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@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
@Happy2BeMe I hope so, he is fairly intelligent. He is the only cat I have ever had that seems to be able to follow a point. You know when you point your finger for them to look at something..He seems to understand it, or maybe he just understands window and squirrel, nonetheless he will look.
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@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
24 Nov 21
I never actually tried to teach my cats anything. Dogs are easier because they like to please us but cats don't care. They are all about themselves
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@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
25 Nov 21
@snowy22315 They are certainly intelligent animals. My cat tends to rule the house and my dog never ever tries to cross her. They actually get on quite well.
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
29 Nov 21
Kittens are alot of fun, but you really have to watch them. They can get into anything. Nico was a holy terror, fortunately he isn't that bad now.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
25 Nov 21
Actually, later that evening, he started playing with it on his own and managed to dislodge some treats.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (6036)
• United States
24 Nov 21
I taught Petey to jump in my lap when I patted my hands on my lap. It didn't take too long...I also taught him to jump up on the bathroom counter to get his treats. That was a piece of cake. The problem with the ball and treats is that the ball is the source of food, it isn't the play thing. Try having play time with him with the ball without the treats, maybe just a touch of cat nip. Also realize that he might be more of a night time player. My neighbor has stated that he has heard Petey playing in the wee hours of the morning....after he's gotten his day's sleep.
You'll find that Nico will find a soft place to curl up in while you're gone and have a nice long nap. Cats sleep 14 hours or more a day. My pair (Petey and Jonesy) go in my closet and sleep until they feel and hear the elevator come up to my apartment and then they're at the door. They have tons of toys and scratching posts so I don't worry about their getting bored...
How old is Nico?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
@BearArtistLady I had one who used to fetch. I have had lots of cats and am familiar with cat behavior. Good idea about online though they might have a tip for ball treats.
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
3 and he doesn't typcially spend a lot of time sleeping. I did teach one of my cats to shake hands.
@BearArtistLady (6036)
• United States
24 Nov 21
@snowy22315 I've taught my cats to retrieve and bring toys back to me, carry things I've dropped, pick up my baby's pacifier (by the handle not the other end) and even come get me when the baby needs changing. I know people who have taught their cats sign language for the deaf and more. You just need for them to be receptive.
Also remember that they are "Hunters". When I moved into my apartment I didn't know I had mice coming through, but both cats have cured that problem. What's funny is they would catch the mice and go to the door for me to let them let the mice go outside and not come back. The cats still check the place out for flies and mice and other unwanteds. They go easy on spiders because I have told them NO often enough.
Check online and see if there is a website on training your cat to do tricks. I've even taught them to sit up and beg.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Usually I try to tech them what not to do.They only learn what they want to. Maybe the secret with the ball is that you leave the cat alone and he gets bored, so he tries it. Tinker has toys he used to use but he tells me "Mom, I am a big boy now. Let me play outside"
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Nico doesn't go outside. With him food seems to be the key to just about everything, so hopefully he learns to regard the ball as the keeper of good things.
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Yes, it has to be worth their while.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Thanks, I will have to be persistent.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182193)
• United States
24 Nov 21
Cats are very smart, but they don't seem to take naturally to training, because pleasing their owner is not what they are all about..
