Good cat-training videos should show reward-based steps you can repeat at home: choose a behavior, reward it promptly, and make the task harder only as your cat is comfortable. A clicker can help mark the right moment, but it is optional. Scratching and litter-box trouble need a different approach from teaching a cue: redirect normal scratching, and treat persistent elimination changes as a possible health or environment issue—not disobedience.
What to look for in a cat-training video
Choose demonstrations that let the cat opt in and use rewards rather than intimidation, pain, or forced handling. The ASPCA’s position on training aids and methods says humane training primarily uses lures and rewards, and that tools should achieve the goal with the least stress. Rewards may include food, praise, petting, or play; the useful choice is the one your individual cat actually values.
- Look for a quiet setting, a small achievable goal, and a reward delivered promptly after the behavior.
- Prefer videos that increase difficulty gradually rather than expecting the cat to perform in a distracting or unfamiliar setting right away.
- Pause or end the practice if your cat disengages or appears uncomfortable. The goal is willing participation, not compliance at any cost.
- Skip demonstrations involving intimidation, discomfort, or forcing a cat into a position or object.
There is no need to buy a particular training tool based on a video. Sources describe methods, not comparative tests of brands or models.
How clicker training works—and when you can skip the clicker
A clicker is a small sound marker: first, the cat learns that a click predicts a reward; later, you click at the instant the desired behavior happens and follow it with the reward. The ASPCA’s cat-training guidance describes using this approach for behaviors such as a high five or entering a carrier. International Cat Care notes that clicker training is one type of positive reinforcement, not a requirement; a consistent spoken marker can also work.
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- In a quiet place, click and give a treat so the sound becomes associated with something positive.
- When your cat offers the behavior you want, click immediately, then give the reward.
- Practice in small steps. Once the behavior is reliable in its easy version, gradually add distance or other difficulty.
Keep the marker consistent and avoid clicking after the moment you intend to reinforce. If the click itself seems unsettling, use a calm spoken marker instead.
Teach a recall cue one small step at a time
To teach your cat to come when called, start close by and make the cue predict something worthwhile. International Cat Care’s 2024 kitten booklet, Caring for your new kitten, recommends using the cat’s name or a consistent word such as “come,” rewarding a turn toward you, then slowly increasing the distance.
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- Stand or sit beside your cat and say its name or your chosen cue once.
- When the cat turns toward you, reward that response promptly.
- As your cat succeeds nearby, gradually practice from farther away, continuing to reward the response.
Keep coming to you worthwhile. If the cue reliably signals an unpleasant event, such as an unwanted interruption, the cat may be less inclined to respond. This is practice, not a promise of instant or guaranteed recall.
Redirect scratching to a suitable post or pad
Scratching is normal feline behavior, so the practical goal is to teach your cat where and what to scratch—not to suppress the behavior by force. The ASPCA’s guidance on destructive scratching recommends offering attractive surfaces and orientations, then matching the setup to the cat’s preference.
- Offer different scratchable surfaces and orientations, and notice which ones your cat chooses.
- Put an appropriate post or pad near furniture your cat already targets.
- Once you know the preferred type, provide more of it in useful locations.
- Do not hold your cat and force its claws onto a post. The ASPCA warns this can frighten the cat and lead it to avoid the post or you.
Make carrier and handling practice gradual
A carrier need not appear only when a stressful trip is imminent. The Humane Society of the United States recommends leaving an accessible carrier in a comfortable spot and using positive reinforcement to teach entry, tolerance of handling, and cooperation with routine procedures such as nail trims. Treat these as gradual acclimation exercises: reward comfortable steps rather than forcing your cat through them.
Litter-box avoidance is not a training failure
A cat that stops using the litter box may be reacting to the setup, developing an aversion after a frightening experience, or having physical difficulty. The ASPCA’s litter-box guidance cautions against forcing a cat into the box, which can worsen dislike, and describes environmental adjustments as well as professional behavior consultation for some fear or aversion cases.
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- Do not punish the cat, rub its nose in waste, or drag it to the box.
- Consider whether the box or its surroundings may be contributing to the problem.
- Consult a veterinarian when the change is sudden, persistent, painful, or otherwise concerning; physical problems can cause or worsen behavior changes.
Do not start behavior medication without veterinary guidance. If fear or aversion persists, a qualified behavior professional can help assess the situation and develop an individual plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a video is not enough
Videos can demonstrate basic skills, but they cannot assess an individual cat’s health, history, or environment. The ASPCA recommends professional support for significant concerns such as aggression, handling problems, or separation anxiety, and urges expert help when an animal may harm itself or others or is experiencing severe distress. Its behavioral-help guidance also advises considering physical causes of behavior problems.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsStart with a veterinarian for sudden or persistent changes, pain, or elimination concerns. For serious behavior problems that need an individualized plan, ask your veterinarian about a qualified animal behavior professional. The right choice depends on the concern and on who can assess your cat directly—not on a video promising a universal fix.
How to choose a training method or aid
Use these questions to decide whether a method fits your cat and the behavior you want to teach:
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- Is your cat comfortable and willing to participate? If not, pause and adjust rather than pressing on.
- Does the reward motivate this cat? Try a suitable food reward, praise, petting, or play, and observe what your cat responds to.
- Would a sound marker help? A clicker is one option; a spoken marker keeps the setup simpler.
- Does the method match the behavior? A recall cue is a skill to practice; scratching calls for redirecting a normal behavior; litter-box trouble may need environmental or medical assessment.
- Is this an ordinary practice goal or a serious concern? Aggression, severe distress, handling difficulties, and persistent elimination changes call for individualized help rather than relying on a generic tutorial.
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