Trainable cat thread...

[PriusLewis]

Our cat is 14 and knows an amazing amount of "human" speak. He knows "go see Mommy" to see my wife, "lay down" to stop standing on us in bed, and many other things. Most of the time he responds with the appropriate action. When he doesn't, it's pretty clear it's not because he doesn't understand but because he's exerting his will and really has no interest in complying. I've had many cats in my life and this is the first one that actually seems to understand some basic commands. In return, he has us trained to let him in, get his snacks, and other activities through verbal commands (however, we can't tell the difference in his voice commands the way he can with ours - one meow sounds just like any other, which makes me wonder which one of us is the smarter).

[TonyPSchaefer]

Once a day I give Nina an inhaler.
I started with just the snout cover. After each attempt I gave her a little treat.
Then I attached the cylinder that attaches to it. After each attempt she got a treat.
Then I attached the medication container. She got a treat.
Then I pumped the medicine. She got a treat.

With each iteration there was a set-back and she would fight it a little. These days, when I grab the inhaler and sit on the floor she walks over, presents the token resistance but knows that it'll be over soon and there's a treat waiting.

[KK6PD]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Oh I forgot, the cat has also trained me to vacuum up her cat hair and pickup dead mice off of the kitchen floor.

My, you are VERY well trained.
VERY GOOD you get a treat!!!

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by KK6PD

My, you are VERY well trained.
VERY GOOD you get a treat!!!

OT: I had a coworker a few years ago that was really a waste of space. One of my other coworkers raised and trained horses as a side business. He started to train the worthless coworker (wc) by pulling out a small piece of candy whenever the wc did anything that could be considered part of his job. I don't think that the wc ever caught on, but a few of us who knew what was going on thought it was hilarious.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

OT: I had a coworker a few years ago that was really a waste of space. One of my other coworkers raised and trained horses as a side business. He started to train the worthless coworker (wc) by pulling out a small piece of candy whenever the wc did anything that could be considered part of his job. I don't think that the wc ever caught on, but a few of us who knew what was going on thought it was hilarious.

Have you seen the Big Bang Theory episode where Sheldon trains Penny by using chocolate? It's unbelievably funny.

Tom

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Have you seen the Big Bang Theory episode where Sheldon trains Penny by using chocolate? It's unbelievably funny.

Tom

I spend too much time on the internet to watch much TV.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

I spend too much time on the internet to watch much TV.

YouTube - Positive Reinforcement - The Big Bang Theory

YouTube - Positive Reinforcement - The Big Bang Theory

And the home page:

The Big Bang Theory: Watch Episodes and Video and Join the Ultimate Fan Community - CBS.com

Now you can waste more time on the Internet.

Tom

[bighouse]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Oh I forgot, the cat has also trained me to vacuum up her cat hair and pickup dead mice off of the kitchen floor.

That's nothing. I had a cat once who trained me to scoop its feces out of a box full of sand-like material. Utterly disgusting.

[amm0bob]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Oh I forgot, the cat has also trained me to vacuum up her cat hair and pickup dead mice off of the kitchen floor.

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by amm0bob

They should start breeding this cat exclusively. Our cat would be ok if she could learn to run the vacuum, but she leaves the room whenever I turn it on. The dogs are no help either.