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Positive Cat Parenting™

by Rolan Tripp, DVM and Susan Tripp, MS

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Teaching Your Cat A Vocabulary


Teaching your cat a vocabulary helps you communicate better with your cat. More communication leads to quality time and a closer relationship. When your cat learns how to please you, you can ask your cat to do more things to earn quality attention and other rewards. Some cats love treats, others love interactive play, while others may love being groomed. As you get to know your cat, you will learn what your cat loves best. Even if dry food is left out, offer your cat treats to learn.
 

  1. Instruction:  This word tells you what I would like you to do.

  2. Correction:  The tone I am using reminds you that I am in charge.

  3. Reinforcement:  I praise your response by repeating the word, "Good Sit."
     

Suggested Feline Vocabulary

Word Cue Means
Psst "What you are doing right now is a mistake."
Bang "Lay down on your side and hold still."
Talk to me "Start meowing."
Chew "Chew on this object."
Come "Come here, sit in front of me and look at me."
Down "Lie down on the ground."
Drop it "Drop what you have in your mouth."
Easy "Don't pull on the harness and leash."
Fetch "Go get what I just threw or what I am pointing to and bring it to me."
Finish "Face me toes to toes, then walk around me, and end up on my left side.
Give "Put what is in your mouth in my hand."
Go see... "Walk to another person near by."
Good "That was great." (Linked to food, then food is phased out.)
Heel "Walk directly at my left side, at the pace I set."
Hold still "Relax and don't resist while I hold you in this position."
Jump "Jump into my arms."
Kennel "Go into this enclosure."
Kiss "Give me one quick lick on the cheek."
Leave it "Don't touch that object"
Let's go "Walk without pulling on the leash"
Look "Look into my eyes."
Move "Move out of the way."
Off "Move your body off that place or object."
On your mat "Go lay down on a designated mat, towel, etc."
Quiet "Stop meowing now."
Roll over "Lay down, roll over, and get up again and look at me."
Say, "Hi" "Act friendly towards this dog or person that I have determined is not a threat."
Settle "Relax and settle down – act calm."
Shake "Sit and raise your right (or left) paw."
Sit "Sit (place rump on the ground) and look at me."
Stand "Stand here and stay still."
Station "Go to the designated location and wait quietly."
Stay "Don't move from that body position." (Might be "Sit," "Down," or "Stand" followed by the "Stay" command)
Take it "Take this from my hand and hold it in your mouth."
Up "Jump here (pat the place)."
Wait "Wait in this area - at the front door-in the house, in the car, etc."
Watch "Look into my eyes."
Wave "Sit and lift your paw up and down."

"Helping you raise a fabulous feline friend for life."

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