Well, for fun (it's always for fun, really) I decided to video Rusty's training session today. We haven't worked on tricks in a LONG time...probably almost a year. Poor kitty, she really enjoys it, and it wears her out. She's sleeping on my lap right now (yes! Tired kitty=good kitty). I first trained the piano trick when I read Clicker Training For Cats. After a bout a week, she was pounding away at the keys. Adorable? Yes. Annoying? Maybe. Mostly because our piano is old and hasn't been tuned for about 10 years...anyway, that issue was solved by making sure the cover was down on the keys (duh.).
I thought about teaching her to only plonk on specific keys and then maybe doing "3 Blind Mice", but I lost motivation, and she was having a good time just hitting any old key.
I made the A-frame out of craft wood (I'm assuming that is the correct term. I bought two pieces of it at Michael's and they were the perfect size), that I hinged together, covered with fabric and then screwed in some eye bolts and attached two chains. She likes it so much that she uses it as a scratching post if I leave it out.
I think I was clicking late in a few spots, but not too bad. She's very forgiving.
-Lulu and Rusty (and everyone else, who is jealous that Rusty got to be in the movie)
