Cue discrimination: teach your cat to tell cues apart
Your cat learns to tell two similar cues apart and does the one you actually asked for.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 10-20 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
Why it matters
Cats often guess from your body or the order you ask. Teaching them to listen to the actual cue makes a trick repertoire reliable.
Before you start
Play a few minutes first. Train in a quiet room before a meal with 30 to 50 tiny treats ready. Warm up with one easy trick.
Step by step
Check each cue alone
Ask for each trick in its own session. Each should be 4 out of 5.
Move on when: Both cues solid alone
Tip: If one cue is weak, fix it first.
Blocks of 3
Ask trick A three times, then trick B three times. Click right answers only.
Move on when: 4 out of 5 correct in each block
Tip: Wrong answer: say nothing, wait 2 seconds, ask again.
Blocks of 2
Switch every 2 reps: A, A, B, B.
Move on when: 8 out of 10 correct
Tip: Wrong guesses mean the switch came too soon; go back to blocks of 3.
Random order
Mix in an unpredictable order: A, B, B, A, B, A.
Move on when: 8 out of 10 correct
Tip: Hands stay at your sides for the test.
Words only
Hold your hands still at your sides and use only the verbal cue.
Move on when: 4 out of 5 correct
Tip: Many cats rely on hand signals; be patient here.
The cue
- Say
- “Two different words”
- Hand signal
- Hands still at your sides for the test
If it isn't working
- Does whichever it did last
- Go back to blocks of 3 and make the two cues sound more different.
- Does both tricks
- Mark the first correct movement fast, before the second one starts.
- Frustrated by wrong guesses
- Make 70% of reps the easier trick and give more easy wins.
Safety
Safety- Watch for frustration: tail flicking, skin rippling, walking away, sudden grooming or swatting.
- If you see it, make the next step easier or end with an easy win.
Mastered when
Correct trick on the verbal cue alone, in random order, 8 out of 10 times
Video check: Film 6 random cues with your hands still, saying each cue clearly
Variations
- Three-way discrimination: sit, down, high five
- Discriminate objects: touch the ball vs touch the cup
Teach this first
Learn next
Sources
- Discriminative stimuli (clickertraining.com)
- The ten laws of shaping (Karen Pryor, clickertraining.com)
- Click and laugh: fun cat tricks (Karen Pryor, clickertraining.com)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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