First Day

Well, I'm starting to clicker train my new cat Bogie. We have two other cats and if I get the hang of things I could be training them later as well. I started last night by teaching him to respond to the clicker as something that will give him food. Then, after a few hours I then started him with a target (I am using an old paintbrush). He is already really good with the knowing that if he touches the brush with his nose, he'll get a treat. I can lead him all around the house. Only thing is, he still always seems more interested in the container of tuna itself. He's always trying to sneak behind my back to get it. Today I've practiced the target with him some more, getting him to go under things and up on the couch and whatnot. I then tried a bit of "Sit Pretty" with him. He doesn't seem to understand it yet, but I'm guessing it will take him a while since he's still learning about the clicker in general. I've also realized that I need to start scheduling my cats' dinner from now on. Before we used to lay out a full bowl all day and let them graze whenever they like. Well, that has led to one very overweight cat and two others that are very slightly overweight. We have agreed that they will be restricted to a morning breakfast and 6.00pm dinner. So far, they don't seem to happy with this. They seem to think, when the food is taken away, that it will stay that way. They start to panic a bit into thinking that they will starve. One thing, is this has led a very willing Bogie with the chance for a nice tuna treat, since he feels so hungry now.