Target stick perch moves for cats: how to play

Teach your cat to follow a target stick, then use it to lead your cat up onto and down off low furniture, and to turn left, right or the opposite way. Target following is one of the easiest and most useful behaviours to teach a cat.

Time: 5 min
Energy: Low
Space: Small room

You'll need

target stick, or a pencil, ruler or your hand
your cat's favourite treats
clicker or anything that makes a clicking noise

Set up

Pick a quiet area that is comfortable for you and your cat. Have a special treat ready, plus a clicker or any object that clicks (even a ballpoint pen), and a target stick or a stand-in such as a pencil, ruler or your hand.

How to play

Click once and give a treat to check your cat is not afraid of the sound. Then hold the target an inch or two in front of your cat and wait.
Your cat will most likely look at or sniff the end of the target. Click the moment the nose touches it and give a treat.
The instant your cat finishes chewing, offer the target again. Wait for a touch, click and treat. Repeat a few times, then end the session.
Once touching is reliable, hold the target a few inches further away so your cat takes a few steps to reach it. Click and treat each touch, moving the stick a few more inches each time.
Keep going until your cat follows the target freely. Then use the target to lead your cat onto or off a piece of low furniture.
Change direction: turn the target so your cat turns left, right or the opposite way. Four to six repetitions is plenty for one session.

House rules

Offer the target again only after your cat has finished the last treat.
Make each move small enough that your cat can reach the target easily.
Finish while your cat is still interested, then reward and stop.

Make it easier: Hold the target an inch or two in front of your cat's nose and click and treat every touch. Move it a few inches further only once touching is reliable.
Make it harder: Move the target a few more inches each time so your cat walks further to reach it, add turns, and use it to lead your cat onto and off furniture.

Signs it's having fun

Eyes on the target, an eager nose touch each time it is offered, and coming back for the next repetition after the treat.

Stop if you see

Your cat walks off. That means the session is over, so try again later or the next day.

Safety

Use positive reinforcement only. Never get cross or punish your cat for a wrong or missing response; ignore it and try again.
Teach without physical manipulation. Guide with the target, not by pushing or lifting your cat.
Keep sessions brief. Short sessions two or three times a day beat one long session that leaves your cat bored.
If your cat walks off, the session is over. Try again later or the next day.

Sources

Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.

Games for cats →

Game · 10 min

Wall shelf highway run for cats: how to play

Build a circuit of cat-friendly shelves and perches around a room, then hide treats and put toys up there so your cat explores the whole route.

Game · 2 min

Wand play at the scratching post for cats: how to play

A short wand game played low, next to a tall scratching post. Your cat stalks, bats and catches the toy, and the post gives it somewhere to scratch and stretch.