Low hoop leap for cats: how to play
Teach your cat to step and hop through a hoop you hold up by hand, starting with a big hula hoop and using the same training steps as the straight hurdle.
- Time
- 5 min
- Energy
- Medium
- Space
- A room
You'll need
- large hula hoop (later a smaller PVC hoop)
- target stick
- clicker
- treats
- feather toy (optional lure)
Set up
Train this once your cat has the low straight hurdle down. Have a big hula hoop, your target stick, a clicker and small treats ready, and a feather toy if your cat prefers a lure. Keep the session short and stop while your cat is still enjoying it.
How to play
Start from the hurdle. Hoop work comes after your cat has the straight hurdle down, and it uses the same training steps.
Hold a big hula hoop up in one hand so it stands in front of your cat. Have your cat on one side and hold the target stick on the other side.
Let your cat touch the target stick once or twice through the hoop for a click and a treat. Then hold the stick further away, so your cat has to go through the hoop to reach it.
As soon as the first paw hits the other side, say 'Jump' and click and treat. Use the same word you use for the hurdle.
Repeat the whole thing from the other side, so your cat will go through the hoop in either direction.
Drop the target stick and use a hand signal with the word 'Jump', swinging your hand upward in an arc, the same signal as for the hurdle.
Shrink the hoop over later sessions. Use PVC pipe to work gradually down to a smaller hoop, and expect patience and convincing at the start.
House rules
- Use a toy or target stick as the lure. Your hands never touch the cat.
- Keep the same 'Jump' word and the same upward hand signal as for the straight hurdle.
- Train from both directions so your cat does not learn only one side.
- Keep it short. Cats work in short bursts, so stop and pick it up again later.
- Make it easier
- Use the biggest hoop you have and hold it up by hand, as the sources describe with an outgrown hula hoop. Hold the target stick through it and click and treat every touch, and stay patient at the start.
- Make it harder
- Move gradually down to a smaller hoop using PVC pipe and drop the target stick, asking with the hand signal and the word 'Jump' alone.
Signs it's having fun
Your cat steps or hops through the hoop for the next click and treat and comes back for another go within the short session.
Stop if you see
Your cat stops going through the hoop or its attention wanders. End the session and pick it up again later.
Safety
Safety- Do not touch the cat with your hands to push it through the hoop. Encourage it with the toy instead.
- Many cats avoid hoop jumps more than any other obstacle, so go slowly and stop if your cat is unsure.
- Cats work in short bursts. If your cat loses interest, stop and resume training later.
Sources
- What Is Feline Agility? (CFA's Agility Cats)
- Clicker Training (CFA's Agility Cats)
- Zoom, Zoom! Agility Training Gets Cats Off The Couch (Fear Free Happy Homes)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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