You’ve probably used the most effective method of educating your cat, which is to reward good behavior and discourage bad behavior. But can we go further and train our cat to obey orders like a dog?

The answer is yes and no. While dogs want to please their owner, it’s important to remember that cats are different. They are more interested in having fun. Because they are very independent animals, cats can appear distant or indifferent to our requests. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t influence their behavior and teach them a few commands. If you are patient and consistent, your new kitten or adult cat can be trained quite easily.

First and foremost, cats don’t understand punishment. Encouraging good behavior is much more effective. Sounds difficult, doesn’t it? It shouldn’t be. Just tell him gently and firmly if he’s doing anything you want to avoid. And if he’s doing something you want to cheer on, give him all the love and attention you can. Treats are also always very motivating, so always carry a few nutritious treats with you (but be careful not to give her too many).

Determine what you would like your cat to learn, in order to give you goals. Think about the commands you will use and the types of behavioral actions you want him to learn. Think back to what you’ve imagined potentially useful in the past: how to teach your cat to use a litter box, how to keep him calm on trips to the vet, and more. How to teach him not to scratch your carpets or your furniture anymore? These are ideas you can work on during training.

The classic objectives are:

• use the litter;
• come to you when you call or make a gesture;
• stay calm and still for grooming;
• interact with you, other people or other animals;
• play with toys, with you or with another animal;
• travel calmly (climb into the transport cage and get into the car).

There are many reasons for wanting to train your cat. But first, teaching her to behave in certain ways will help her become sociable and happy to be with humans and other animals. Training is also important for your own well-being; if your cat learns to be calm while brushing, clipping, or carrying, there will be no anxiety for him or for you. The better your cat is raised, the better your relationship will be.

After you’ve decided on the learnings you and your cat will master, it’s time to get down to business. First of all, your cat’s attention span is shorter than yours, so you can’t expect them to be available and attentive every time you are ready for a session. Watch him and adjust to his pace, he will show you how long he is willing to play learning.

Because some kittens start learning very early (sometimes before arriving home) after seeing their mother use a litter box, the duration of this type of learning can be short. However, you may need to take him back to his crate early to remind him of where it is. But conversely, if you want to teach your kitten to play with her toys (and with you), the lessons could be more gradual. Cats often prefer to discover new objects on their own, which means your role should be to respect their space while remaining accessible while exploring. Then, once he’s familiarized with a new object, you can participate.

If you are very motivated by training, you might want to go ahead and teach your cat everything at the same time. To be successful, however, it is best to practice one lesson at a time. Once your cat has mastered everything you are working on, you can move on to the next training exercise. When you bring a new kitten home, for example, you may want to immediately teach her how to use the litter box. Once you’re done, you can work on interacting with other pets, then calmly grooming them, etc.

Once your cat has learned, take the time to diversify the situational contexts. For example, practice it in different areas of your home. If you introduce a kitten to other pre-existing animals and only bring them together in the living room, she may believe the other animal only exists in that space. This is not a problem if your other animal is a fish, but if your cat meets a dog, he should understand that he will also meet him elsewhere.

Much like using litter, some types of learning may need to be deployed in different areas of your home (and the use of multiple litter boxes is recommended). Preventing him from scratching rugs and furniture will also deserve a more comprehensive lesson, as he will find such furniture in more than one room.

If the only two residents are you and your cat, you don’t have to worry too much about involving others in the training process. Yet, you still want your cat to learn to be social, not territorial. Soon after you bring your cat home, invite friends or family over to socialize with your new pet. Remind them not to get too far ahead with their introduction. Just like you train in small pushes, you need to give your pet the same leeway.

If you are bringing a kitten into a larger family, it is even more important to involve everyone in the training process. There are many reasons why the whole family should get involved (especially when it comes to consistency and relationship building). Everyone should be clear about the goals of the training and the methods you will use to be successful.

Rewards for reinforcing good behavior are great motivators, especially during learning. Your four-legged companion can test two types of rewards. First, know that he will appreciate any positive praise you give him. Speak in a kind, upbeat voice and remind him how proud you are. Say: “What a good cat” and “good job!” while stroking or scratching his fur to associate these words with pleasant gestures.

Cats also respond well to treats. Reward him with small kibble of cat food when he has mastered the controls you are working on properly.

Another way to do this is to use a “clicker” system. Start by creating an association with the sound of the click and a treat for your cat. It may take a few weeks, but over time your cat will begin to associate the click with the treat they are enjoying. Make sure that the treat is always available to you so that he gets it simultaneously when hearing the click. Once your cat really enjoys the sound of the click, the real fun can begin. Start small by simply teaching your cat to introduce herself when the clicks start.

Never hit it, shake it, or physically correct your cat during training. Keep a calm voice. If your cat feels threatened by you, not only will the learning fail, but they will probably become afraid of you. If you need to redirect bad behavior (like scratching furniture), try making a fast, high-pitched noise. It will also help you if you say the same sentence each time, like “Psss!” or “Ffffft!” The goal is to alert your cat and distract them from the action or their current behavior. Avoid words you use regularly, like “no!” or “hey!” because your cat will not understand when he hears them in a different context.

Once the rewards system is set up, the real fun of dressage can begin. Start small by simply teaching your cat to introduce herself when the clicks start, or when you wave the bag of treats (which can also be a big help if your friend ever disappears and you need to look for them).

By using a clicker training wand, for example, you can teach your cat to follow him like a target. Bring the wand to your cat’s nose, wait for them to sniff it, then click and reward the behavior. It may also be helpful to add a small treat or catnip to the end of the wand. When your cat is able to follow the tip of the wand on command, you can direct your furry friend’s attention to specific points or actions.

Lift your training wand above and just behind your cat’s head, so that he wants to sit up to stay focused on the end of the stick. Once your cat is seated, click and reward them.

It is also useful to add a verbal command with your click, such as “sit”. Like any other step in training your cat, consistency, patience, and repetition are essential. With enough time, your cat will respond to the word “sit” by sitting up. Congratulations, you have trained your cat.

Remember, however, that the treat is as much a reward as it is a food. Make sure you don’t go overboard with your cat’s oral rewards, so that you don’t make her too fat. A simple rule of thumb is to never exceed 10% of their recommended daily allowance.

Learning doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes your cat will make mistakes. Can you train a cat to jump? Sure, but before you start you need to find a solution to guide him or pick him up when he seems not to understand what you are expecting. Recall that punishment doesn’t work when you try to train a cat because your cat just doesn’t understand why you are correcting it. In fact, it might even make him feel anxious and stressed around you.

Training is never an end, tell yourself it’s okay if your cat can’t do it, it’s probably just that you haven’t managed to stimulate his curiosity enough for him to be motivated. The goal is not to be successful at all costs, but only to have a good time with your favorite companion to strengthen your relationship. By being patient and positive, both of you will get there.