Is it possible to train your cat like a dog?

The answer to that depends on what you mean by “like a dog.”

Do you mean is it possible to teach him to follow commands and do tricks like a dog?

Or are we talking about training him using the same basic methods that we use on dogs?

Read on to find out the answer to both!

Can you train your cat like a dog?

Since there are two different ways to interpret that question, let’s start by breaking it down.

Can you train your cat to follow commands like a dog?

Ever see those insanely cute videos (like the one below) of cats doing outrageously amazing tricks and think, “Hey, I want to train my cat like that!”

Yeah, me too. Obviously, it’s possible. Otherwise we wouldn’t have the aforementioned videos to make us feel like totally inadequate cat trainers!

What you need to realize, though, is that these people spent hours upon hours perfecting those routines with their kitties.

Cats may be more independent and even more clever than dogs in many ways, but that actually works against you.

See, most dogs are people pleasers by nature. Cats? Not so much. You have to really make it worth their while!

Can you use dog training methods on a cat?

Well, that depends entirely on what method you use to train your dog!

If we’re talking alpha training and all that antiquated dominance nonsense, no.

Seriously, go ahead and try to “dominate” your cat. I guarantee he’ll do whatever the kitty equivalent to laughing in your face is!

If we’re talking reward-based training, though, then yes, it’s absolutely doable.

Just like it does with dogs, reward training teaches your cat that if he does A, he gets tasty B.

Read on for tips on how to train your cat like a dog using similar methods

Related: How to Get Two Cats To Get Along

Tips to Train Your Cat Like a Dog

We’re going to focus more on the second scenario because it’ll actually help you with the first.

1. It’s all about timing & location

Choosing the right time and location for your training session is absolutely essential.

Timing

The best time to train your cat is right before meal time, when he’s hungry enough to be interested in what you have to offer.

So, if you regularly feed your kitty at 5 PM, time your session for around 4:30.

Along with the right timing, you’ll also want to stick to the right amount of time.

Just like dogs, cats learn best when the sessions are short and sweet. I’d say no more than 20 minutes. Too much longer than that and they’ll get bored!

Location

If you’ve ever trained a dog, you know that it’s important to choose a distraction-free environment at first. The same goes for training your cat!

Take kitty into a room away from other pets and noise. Your bedroom is a good option, especially if your cat likes to hang out in there.

Don’t make him feel like you’re trapping him, though.

In fact, it’s probably better to lure him in there with a favorite toy and have someone else shut the door behind you.

Once he masters a trick or command, then you can introduce distractions. For now, though, it should just be the two of you.

2. Use high-value treats

If you’ve ever trained a dog, you know that treats are the key to success. The same goes for cats.

However, here’s the thing- cats aren’t quite as tempted by low-value treats as dogs are. Let me explain.

High-value vs. Low-value treats

When you train a dog, typically you choose low-value treats (things he gets everyday) for low-distraction environments.

However, when the task is particularly demanding or the environment is super distracting, you pull out the high-value goodies (things he loves but rarely gets).

My dog gets carrots every day, sometimes “just because.” She doesn’t really have to do anything fancy for them.

Still, when I hold one out and ask her to sit, she does. In other words, I can use them for basic training, even though they’re low-value.

My cats get a few of their favorite cat treats every day as well, sometimes “just because.”

If I were to try to use them in training, they’d look at me like I’d lost my mind. They’re simply not valuable enough to motivate my kitties.

So, when I want to teach them something new, I have to break out the little piece of cooked chicken or the homemade salmon treats.

Read more  Worst Cat Treats Your Cat Should Avoid and Healthiest

Bottom line, make sure you’re giving kitty a good enough reason to comply with your request.

Wondering? can you teach a cat to walk on two legs

3. Work with your cat’s natural instincts

If you want to train a cat like a dog using reward training, you first have to teach them what the “reward system” means.

I’ve had both cats and dogs for my entire adult life.

All those years have taught me one thing- dogs almost instinctively know that rewards are something we earn while cats think that their very existence deserves a reward.

Teach them that rewards are earned

So, teach them that while their existence is definitely worthy of SOME rewards (like humans, our pets deserve some “no strings attached” goodies on occasion), they have to earn the good stuff!

For that, you’ll want to work with their natural instincts and reward them for things they’re already doing.

I recommend starting with litter training. Cats naturally want to go where they can cover up their “business,” which is why they’re such a breeze to litter train.

When you see your cat coming out of the box, immediately say, “Good kitty!” and hand over a reward.

Continue to condition your cat to see treats as a reward by using them during playtime.

For example, you can hold a treat up above kitty’s head to encourage him to reach for it or fill an interactive ball with treats.

Basically, whenever your cat does something you like, reward him. It won’t take long for him to learn that the good stuff only comes when he earns it.

If you want to see the last two tips in action, check out the video below. It’s long but super entertaining AND informative.

4. Start with simple tricks and commands

Yes, I know, you want to teach your cat to ride a bike so you can be the next YouTube star. Who doesn’t, right?

However, your cat can’t master complicated tricks until he learns a few basic commands.

Try teaching him simple things like “sit” and “come.” You know, the things you teach your dog at first.

Check out the tutorial below for tips!

5. Redirect, don’t punish!

If you’d rather learn how to teach you cat NOT to do something, this one’s for you.

Just like you should never use punishment based training with dogs, you should never, ever, ever punish your cat for doing something that you don’t like.

Cats scratch furniture. They barf up hairballs in our shoes. They throw things at us when we don’t pay attention (or at least mine does). They put on obnoxiously loud way-off-Broadway musicals at 2 AM.

None of these things are done out of spite. There’s a reason behind each and every one.

Yes, even when Willow chucks things off the counter in what I swear is a clear attempt to hit me, she has a reason.

Your job is to figure out that reason, then figure out how to either deflect or deter the behavior without taking out your frustration on your cat.

How to redirect negative behavior

If your cat is scratching up your sofa, redirect that behavior by giving her something more appropriate to sharpen those claws on.

We bought a cheap $5 cardboard scratcher from 5 Below that my Zoe just adores. Alex & Willow prefer a fancier scratching post.

If kitty is singing at the top of her lungs in the middle of the night, redirect her by giving her something quiet to play with.

Sometimes, Zoe sings because she’s lonely. Just inviting her into my room is enough to settle her down (I keep my door closed not to keep her out but because I’m the first to bed in my house).

Got a cat like mine that throws things at you for attention? Make sure her needs are met (does she have food, water, and a clean litter box?).

If they are, ignore her assault. She’ll stop when she realizes she’s not getting anything out of it.

That about sums it up!

As we’ve seen, yes, it’s possible to train your cat like a dog as long as you modify your methods a bit and have plenty of patience. 🙂

What are your thoughts? Did you ever try to train your cat like a dog? Share below!

— Update: 30-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat from the website resources.bestfriends.org for the keyword can you train a cat like a dog.

Some dogs do fine living with cats; others simply cannot live safely with felines. Sometimes, a dog can live with certain cats (depending on their age, temperament and activity level), but not others. Even if your dog has successfully lived with cats in the past, it is important to remember that each dog and each cat is an individual and therefore each introduction is different.

Body language of dogs and cats

When introducing your dog to a cat, pay attention to the body language of both animals. If the cat’s ears are pinned back or his tail is swishing back and forth, this is a good indicator that he is displeased. You particularly want to be aware of dog body language that could be potential warning signs. If your dog has a strong prey drive (the inclination to seek out, chase and potentially capture animals seen as prey — usually smaller animals such as cats or rabbits), she might become very focused on the cat. She’ll stiffen, stare, and may start barking or whining. If you see these signs, do not let her near the cat. Ideally, her body language will be loose and relaxed around the cat. It’s OK if she pays attention to the cat, but you don’t want to see her fixated on him.

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In addition, a dog’s interaction with a cat can change depending on the environment. Just because your dog is OK with the cat inside the house doesn’t mean she’ll exhibit that same behavior outdoors. She might fixate on the cat and start stalking him when they are outside together. So, be aware of her body language around the cat in each new situation, until you know how she is going to respond toward him.

Examples of dog body language

Methods for introducing a dog and a cat

There are many different ways to introduce a dog to a cat. If the first method of introduction you try doesn’t work or you don’t feel comfortable with it, try a different option. Even if the dog has had experience with cats and the cat has lived with a dog before, proceed cautiously during the introduction. It’s best to have two people present — one to intervene with each animal, if necessary. If you have more than one dog, introduce each dog separately to the cat.

Option 1: Slow and steady desensitization

If your dog is too fixated on the cat, you can try desensitization, the goal of which is to reduce your dog’s reaction to the cat by gradually increasing her exposure to him. Put the cat in a room (e.g., a bedroom, a bathroom or a spare room) with a tall baby gate across the door. The room you choose should be one the dog cannot access and doesn’t need to access. For example, if the dog sleeps in the bedroom with you at night, don’t pick that room for the cat. The idea is to separate them and only allow them to view each other during specific times.

In his room, give the cat all needed supplies: litter box, toys, food and water. Keep in mind that cats are good at squeezing through small gaps and are also good climbers and jumpers. So, make sure your cat can’t get past the gate you put up. The gate needs to be a barrier that allows the cat and dog to see one another, but does not allow them to access each other.

To begin desensitization, let the dog view the cat briefly through the gate, and then get the dog to focus on something else, such as playing with a toy or practicing cues. Sometimes it helps to keep the dog on leash so that you can move her away from the cat when you try to refocus her attention. Praise and reward the dog for being able to focus elsewhere. Continue to give the dog short viewings of the cat throughout the day.

Sometimes, even seeing the cat at first is too exciting for the dog. If this is the case, close the door and begin feeding each animal on his or her side of the door: The cat eats his food in his room, right next to the door, and the dog eats her meal on the other side of the door. This allows each animal to associate the smells of the other with something good: food. You can also swap out the blankets and bedding of each animal, giving it to the other. That way, the dog can get used to the cat’s smell and the cat can get used to the dog’s smell, without overstimulating either of them.

Hopefully, through this process of slowly letting the dog see the cat and get accustomed to the cat’s presence, the dog will eventually become desensitized and lose interest in the cat. In some cases, the dog will lose interest in the cat within a couple of hours, but it can take days, weeks or even months. Each dog (and each cat) is an individual and will learn at his or her own pace.

With that said, though, it is possible that your dog may not ever be able to safely share space with a cat. If you don’t feel you can trust your dog around your cat, you should keep them apart. Many dogs can injure or kill a cat very quickly, and your dog can also be injured by the cat. Your first priority should be ensuring that everyone stays safe.

Option 2: Face-to-face introduction

This is a more fast-paced introduction. One person should hold the dog on a loose lead and watch the dog’s body language. Someone else should watch the cat’s body language. If the cat is not raising his back or hissing around the dog, he can be allowed to move around freely. A cat is rarely a threat to a dog, but some cats will be on the offensive when meeting dogs.

If the dog is calm around the cat, you can ask the dog to sit, or lie down and stay, if she has been taught those cues, while the cat moves about freely, sniffing the dog if he wishes. The dog should be praised and rewarded if she ignores the cat. If the dog is too fixated on the cat (e.g., staring at the cat, has stiff body language, will not listen to you when you call her name) or if she lunges and tries to chase the cat, you should try a different strategy for getting them to share space, such as Option 1 or Option 3.

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Option 3: Look at That

If the quick introduction did not work and your dog is not becoming desensitized to the cat, you might need to try some more structured training. By playing Look at That (LAT) with your dog, you can help to teach her not to fixate on the cat. You’ll be teaching her to look at the cat and then look back at you for a treat. Essentially, she’ll learn that it is more rewarding to not pay attention to the cat.

Look at That training plan

To start working on LAT, you need to figure out the dog’s threshold while on leash: At what point does she notice the cat, but still respond to you when you say her name? That is her threshold. Each dog has a different threshold. For one dog, five feet away from the cat might be her threshold; for another dog, it might be 25 feet. You’ll know you have gone past the threshold when she starts barking or lunging at the cat. Another sign that you’re getting too close to the cat is if she starts moving more slowly, staring and stiffening her body. If you call her name and she doesn’t respond to you, move a few feet away from the cat.

Once you’ve figured out the dog’s threshold, grab a clicker and some really delicious, pea-sized treats. If you don’t have a clicker, a verbal marker (a word like “yes” or “good”) will work just fine. Put 10 treats in your hand and keep the bag close by for later.

Clicker training instructions

When you see the dog looking at the cat, click the clicker or use your verbal marker and give her a treat. The first few times, you might have to put the treat right in front of her nose, but fairly soon she should start looking expectantly at you as soon as she hears the marker. That’s because the marker (either a clicker or a word like “yes”) always means a treat is coming. Use up the 10 treats, clicking as soon as she looks at the cat.

The 11th time, before using the marker, wait and see if she will look at the cat and then look right back at you. If she does that, either click or use the verbal marker when she looks at you and then give her a treat. If that doesn’t happen, go back a step. Mark her 10 more times for looking at the cat and then try again. Once she is reliably looking at the cat and then looking back at you, you can slowly start moving closer and closer to the cat. If the dog becomes fixated on the cat when you move closer, you’ve gone past the threshold and need to move back.

As you train, her threshold decreases, which means that the two of you will be able to move closer and closer to the cat. Continue practicing LAT with your dog until she can be right next to the cat without an issue. How quickly your dog’s threshold decreases will depend on you (how much you practice and the types of treats you use), your dog (since every dog learns at a different pace) and your cat’s comfort level.

Introducing kittens and puppies

If you are introducing a kitten to a dog, keep in mind that kittens may not have any fear of dogs, so you must watch the dog carefully. Because kittens are small and want to run and play, dogs with a strong prey drive may be very excited by a kitten’s movements. Even if your dog is OK with your adult cats, it is important to watch her closely when she’s with a kitten. If your dog is young and high-energy, she could hurt or kill the kitten simply by trying to play. So, for safety’s sake, keep kittens and dogs apart any time you are not watching them.

Introducing adult cats to puppies can sometimes be easy, since a well-socialized adult cat might be fine with a puppy acting like a puppy. However, if your rambunctious puppy is chasing your shy cat, it is up to you to intervene. Until the puppy is old enough to have more self-control and has had some training, you will want to manage their interactions. You don’t want your puppy to learn that chasing the cat is a fun game. Baby gates can be used to keep the animals safely and comfortably apart. To help you keep an eye on your puppy, you can also put her on a leash. That way, if she begins to chase the cat, you will be able to easily direct her away from that behavior.

Seeking help from a professional

Animals with good past experience often adjust well and quickly to a new pet in the house. But if introductions don’t go well, seek help from a professional dog trainer or behavior consultant. Don’t ever use punishment: It will not help and it could make matters much worse.

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