Amidala is a 7 year old tuxedo of the garden vriety. She is the ultimate cat, regal, disdainful and known to family and friends as a real bad-ass cat, who will purr and look invitingly at anyone until they try to stroke her, at which time she may decide to take a swipe at the stroke. We always warn people about her behaviour but most can't help themselves from testing her. She is an indoor cat who has never hidden from strangers and is always in the same room as I am. 14 weeks ago I came across Karen's book on clicker training your cat and felt the challenge overcome me.
Amidala took to her clicker training like the proverbial duck to water.
She now follows me around as I lead her with a white plasic lid. She walks (what do you mean "jump") through hoops, hops up on the coffee table at my signal. She now "holds hands", gives "high fives" and touches a small taget on my palm with her paw. She appears to be right-pawed (are all cats?) I am now trying to get her to hop up onto a chair by the piano keyboard...I suspect she has frightened herself as it is a swivel chair and she is very leery, but we keep trying. Eventually I hope to use the little target to get her to "play" the piano.
We had company for Easter and Amidala had the opportunity to debut her tricks before an audience. I am pleased to report that she was oblivious to their amazed gasps and performed like an old trouper. I think there may be a run on the sale of clickers amongst her new admirers.
I think the stimulation that clicker training is providing to Amidala is making a difference in her attitude, making her more sociable with people, and more interested in what is going on in her household. We are both enjoying it immensely. Thanks Karen!
4 years later
We are still clicking along, Amidala and I. She is now 11 and clicking never seems to get old for her. We make sure to reinforce her training every night before bed. We have spotted animal trainers using clickers at the San diego Zoo facilities. It is fun to be a part of the community!