In this clip you will view all three of our new additions learning to follow a target stick to enter and exit the carrier. This is an incredibly positive approach to carrier training. In addition, you see me implement play as well as emphasize the importance of the carrier being “benign” by existing in the environment at all times. See my other How-To video on this topic to get you started https://www.fundamentallyfeline.com/train-your-cat-to-target-using-their-nose/
Pattern games are a simple set of exercises that provide a predictable and secure structure for animals in order to help them normalize changes in their environment (potential “triggers” for reactive cats). Patterns are safe, predictable, repetitive, voluntary and normalizing!
Pattern games were created by Leslie McDevitt for use with reactive dogs, but there is nothing stopping us for using these tools with our cats!
Cats are trainable and can be quite easy to medicate. It is all about finding something that motivates them to make it worth their while. The key to this being successful is keeping the reward novel; do not burn them out on it. Humans struggle with this part. Be stingy with your rewards and before you know it your cat will be doing all kinds of tricks like sit, hi-five, and even riding a skateboard! Not to mention eating their pills willingly! That's right, just take a look at the photos below to see how my cats swarm me at meds time.
Meats:
Canned cat food-generally something different than you offer each day
Hill’s a/d, Royal Canin Recovery, Purina CN (these Rx diets are ultra hi-calorie and should only be used for medicating & positive reinforcement)
Single ingredient, plain meat human baby food (ham, chicken, beef, turkey) NO onions! Or try Ciao Churu purees (essentially baby food made just for cats) available in a variety of different flavors.
Broths-chicken and beef broth (low/no sodium), tuna, oyster or clam juice
Deli meat, boiled chicken, sardines, salmon, SPAM! (yes, Spam)
Dairy: *most cats are lactose intolerant-use sparingly*
Milk, cream, heavy whipping cream, whipped cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla ice cream, cheese (any version), squeeze cheese, sour cream, and the like
Outside the box ideas:
Mini marshmallows (they make a great pill pocket)
Banana or Peanut Butter
Traditional cat treats:
Freeze dried meat treats (Purebites-chicken & turkey or Halo’s Liv-a-littles)
Greenie’s dental treats or Greenie’s Smartbites
Temptations, Pounce, Whisker Lickin’s, Party Mix (considered junk food and a last resort for sick old seniors that need medications).
Any dry food other than their regular dry food can also be a treat.
*always check with your veterinarian first
Watch my Medicating Tips and Tricks video!
I make a lot of mistakes as a trainer in this video. The timing of my rewards are not great and I even miss a few entirely! Willow had only learned how to give “ten” just the day before. We were both still learning. I share this because it is important to have realistic expectations, try your best, and push forward. Just because it is not seamless does not mean you shouldn’t try to train your cat! You will learn together and from each other. Just keep trying.
This clip is an example of how well positive reinforcement can work to train your cats and kittens. Willow started young and she is very eager and focused, but older cats can learn new things too! In this video Willow: goes to mat, goes to stool, sits, sits up, spins, goes through a tunnel, rides a skateboard and hi-fives! (And is precious, but that is a given!)
Soren’s clicker training performance at just 5 months of age! He does everything just as well as Willow but slower and with slightly less enthusiasm. He is just an easy going guy! It is interesting to see their differences. Do not be discouraged, they are all individuals!
