Calling and Clicker Training
Updated: Aug 31, 2022
An important tool for adventuring is the connection between furrfriend and hooman! Getting them to come on command is important but challenging! Aries and I did a few things to work on recall, and a few extra things, in case we ever get separated.
Table of Contents:
Calling and Coming
Safety
Training Tools
Calling and Coming:
While you and your kitty are in the same room, visible to one another, call them by their name (keep the name consistent, with similar inflection). Reward them with a treat when they come!
Once they become consistent, work on calling your kitty from separate rooms and they can't see you! I've found that it helps to shake some treats, or use a clicker!
After that, work on recall while outside! This is STILL ridiculously hard for us. Aries just tends to get distracted by grass or dirt. It's not consistent but we are consistently working on it!
Safety:
ID tags: This one is a no brainer - if you are actively adventuring outside, have an ID tag. We have "My human is lost! Call Lindsey (xxx) xxx-xxx" on ours. No address, primarily because we are in a transition period of life and have moved recently and will move again soon. Besides, in the digital world we live in today, a phone number is more useful.
Airtag: This has been our newest safety addition! Product of Apple, the Airtag is advertised as "a super easy way to keep track of your stuff. Attach one to your keys. Put another in your backpack. And just like that, they’re on your radar in the Find My app, where you can also track down your Apple devices and keep up with friends and family." We use the Pawlani collar with our Airtag, its a stunning leather collar that fits the Airtag perfectly. It allows me to keep track of Aries using my phone!
Training tools:
Clicker training is such a great thing to work on building trust and communication between you and your feline friend! Aries and I only recently started working on clicker training (thanks to the Kitty Cat Go Trailblazers Community March 2022 challenge). We are currently using this book as a tool for training:
Clicker training uses positive reinforcement to teach your cat new skills, encourage good behavior, and correct undesirable behavior. How to Clicker Train Your Cat makes cat training easy with short, targeted lessons that teach everything from basic commands to fun tricks.
A progressive approach―Start small with essential commands and practical skills that serve as a foundation for additional training, solving behavioral problems, and bonding through play.
Step-by-step instructions―Find clear directions that break down each cat training lesson into small steps so both you and your cat feel confident and comfortable.
Cat communication basics―Learn what your cat is telling you through their body language, facial expressions, and vocalizations, and how their unique traits require training them differently than other animals.
We are really enjoying working on training, it's fun and engaging! As always, we encourage plenty of safety and precaution. Happy Adventuring!
