[Blindtlk] Tips for clicker-training a cat?

[Julie J.]

The same principles apply, no matter the animal. Clicker training was 
originally used with dolphins.

I don't have cats, don't really like them. *smile*  But I have clicker 
trained dogs.  I think you are going to have to find a very high value 
reward for the cat.  The reward has to out compete anything else the cat 
might find entertaining or enlightening or otherwise preferable.  Then I'd 
train in super small bits of time, like 2 to 5 minutes.

As far as the blindness part goes, pick something that is auditory or 
tactile to begin with, so you can get the hang of the training method.  With 
dogs I teach a hand target, meaning the dog touches his nose to my hand. 
You could just as easily teach the cat to tap a bell or something similar.

HTH and let us know how it goes.
Julie
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now 
available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
-----Original Message----- 
From: Judy Jones via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2016 10:54 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Judy Jones
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Tips for clicker-training a cat?

Dogs are pack animals and looking for a leader.  Cats are not, so there is 
going to be a completely different mind-set, as far as the cat is concerned.

I understand that, outside of litter box training, it is very rare to have a 
trained cat.  I experienced vicarious cat ownership through our eldest 
daughter who stayed with us awhile before her marriage, and although her cat 
was great to have around, she chose where and when she wanted to interact.

A humorous anecdote I saw once says, "Dogs have masters, but cats have 
staff."

Best wishes.

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jessie 
Mabry via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2016 9:48 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jessie Mabry
Subject: [Blindtlk] Tips for clicker-training a cat?

Hi list,

My husband and I, both blind, just got a cat and would like to try 
clicker-training her for fun, but we haven't been successful so far after 
various attempts. I've seen a couple articles on training guide dogs, and of 
course Google has plenty on blind pets, but barely anything on blind 
trainers in general, and nothing at all about them working with cats. I'd 
appreciate connecting with  anyone who has experience with this. I can 
provide more details about our trials off-list.

Thanks,
Jessie
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