Chapter 1: Introduction to Clicker Training

I’m embarking on the adventure of clicker training my cat, and trust me, it’s no joke! You might even find yourself envious of how Bear, my feline friend, allows me to trim his nails and learn various tricks.

As an educator with exceptionally high expectations, it was only natural that I would take on the challenge of training my cat. In the past, when my partner and I contemplated getting a dog, I always prioritized finding an intelligent and trainable breed.

While welcoming a dog into our lives remains a possibility, my current focus is all on Bear. I’ll admit—I pamper him a lot. Thanks to the way I adopted him (which you can read about in “I Adopted a Cat”), I didn’t incur an adoption fee. With that $300 saved, I joyfully splurged on treats and toys at Petco, consistently adding to Bear’s collection.

Among my purchases were two items that primarily serve my interests: the book The Trainable Cat by Sarah Ellis and John Bradshaw, which has quickly climbed to the top of my reading list, and a cat clicker.

Despite indulging Bear with physical goodies, I refuse to let him turn into a troublesome pet. He won’t be allowed to explore every nook and cranny of my home, demand food or affection at inconvenient times, or claw at anything not meant for that purpose.

Without formal training, Bear is already showing signs of improvement. After just four nights, he has learned not to snuggle against my face or walk across my back while I’m asleep. I managed to sleep soundly through the night!

My initial objective is to teach Bear the “paw” command. He’s such a sweet boy, and I want to be able to clip his nails without the drama of a vet visit or a trip to the groomer.

A key reason this is a priority for me stems from my childhood cat, Boots, who made nail trimming a nightmare. Unfortunately, Boots had a temperament that was the polar opposite of what I hope to foster in Bear. He would scratch or bite anyone who wasn’t my mom, and if you walked by him perched on a chair, he’d swipe at you with extended claws.

Boots often had to be sedated for nail clippings because he was so uncooperative. Although I was only seven when we adopted him, I often wish I could rewind time and train him to be more amicable. He ended up scratching many friends who were misled by his playful antics, thinking they could pet him after he rolled around their feet.

I want Bear to be different. I envision being able to clip his nails myself and teach him to sit, roll over, and speak, among other tricks. I hope he’ll be well-adjusted and friendly towards new people and pets, the kind of cat that makes other owners envious.

Bear is playful, enjoys affection, and loves treats. Everything I’ve learned about cat training suggests that this combination is ideal for success. Plus, he seems to already understand the “off” command and is making strides in realizing that countertops and bedside tables aren’t his playground.

Although we’ve only just begun our training journey, I cherish the bonding time we share. I eagerly anticipate the day I can take Bear for walks outside. He’s well on his way to becoming the coolest cat around.

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Chapter 2: Understanding Clicker Training

Clicker training is a fantastic method for teaching your cat various behaviors and commands. It’s a positive reinforcement technique that encourages good behavior through rewards.

The first video, Clicker Training Your Cat is Easy and Fun!, provides an engaging overview of how clicker training can be enjoyable for both you and your feline companion.