Cat tricks, step by step

Yes, cats learn tricks. Every guide here is a lesson from the Tumble app: short clicker sessions, one small step at a time, with a clear sign of when to move on. Start with Foundations.

99 guides

Foundations

The building blocks every other lesson uses: a marker that means 'yes, treat coming', targets, simple positions, coming when called and a clear way to end a session.

16 lessons

Lesson · 2 min

Clicker training for cats: how to charge the clicker

Teach your cat that one short sound always means a treat is coming. Pick a clicker, soft click or word.

Lesson · 2 min

How to teach your cat to respond to its name

Teach your cat that hearing its name means something good, so it looks at you when you say it.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to touch your finger with its nose

Your cat learns to touch its nose to your finger or palm so you can move it without lifting.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to follow a target stick

Your cat touches a stick tip with its nose and follows it, to guide your cat from a distance.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to sit

Teach a cued sit by capturing or luring, so your cat can ask politely instead of pawing, jumping or meowing.

Lesson · 2 min

How to teach your cat to look at you on cue

Capture a brief, relaxed look at your face, then cue it so your cat can switch attention.

Lesson · 1 min

How to end a training session with your cat

Teach a clear end signal so your cat knows training is over and the treats have stopped.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to come when called

Pair a special recall sound with great treats, then call your cat from further away.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to lie down

Guide your cat from sit to down, then fade the lure into a cue.

Lesson · 4 min

How to teach your cat to go to its mat

Teach your cat to go to a mat on cue and stay. Use it for counters, doors, dinner and visitors.

Lesson · 4 min

How to teach your cat to wait

Teach your cat to stay on the mat until you say a release word, adding time, distance and distractions.

Lesson · 5 min

How to teach your cat to settle and relax on cue

Reward relaxing, not just staying: a settled cat lies down, loosens its body and lets the world go by.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to touch a spot with its paw

Your cat learns to touch a sticky note or target disc anywhere with nose or paw.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to hop up and off on cue

Teach your cat to hop up and off on cue, so grooming, weighing and vet checks need no lifting.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to touch objects with its nose

Move the nose touch from your hand to a portable target so your cat will touch it anywhere.

Lesson · 4 min

How to teach your cat to stay

Your cat holds a sit or down as you move, and you return to reward. Different from 'wait'.

Handling and care

Cooperative care training that teaches your cat to accept and enjoy grooming, health checks, medication and veterinary handling with calm consent.

10 lessons

Lesson · 2 min

Chin rest: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Teach your cat to rest its chin on your hand or a soft target as a calm consent cue.

Lesson · 2 min

Gentle body handling: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Teach your cat to welcome gentle touch on cheeks, shoulders, paws, and body by inviting petting and watching for overstimulation.

Lesson · 3 min

Brushing and combing: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Introduce the brush at your cat's pace with cheek rubs and short strokes to prevent tangles and hairballs.

Lesson · 2 min

Step on the scale: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Train your cat to pause on a flat scale for calm monthly weigh-ins and body condition checks.

Lesson · 3 min

Towel wrap comfort: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Teach your cat to rest calm and secure in a folded towel wrap for vet exams.

Lesson · 3 min

Ear and eye checks: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Acclimate your cat to ear handling, flap lifting, and eye checks with gentle touch and rewards.

Lesson · 3 min

Nail trim comfort: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Teach your cat calm claw trims with toe touches, claw extensions, clipper sounds, and treats.

Lesson · 2 min

Tooth brushing: a step-by-step lesson for cats

From tasting feline toothpaste to brushing cheek and canine teeth 30 seconds per side.

Lesson · 3 min

Pill and liquid medicine: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Give pills and liquid medicine calmly using food disguise, head angling, and syringe placement behind the canine teeth.

Lesson · 3 min

Vet exam prep: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Prepare your cat for low-stress vet visits with raised-surface stationing, full-body exam touches, and calm carrier entry.

Carrier and travel

Step-by-step training to turn the carrier into a safe haven, handle car rides smoothly, and explore comfortably in a harness and lead.

8 lessons

Lesson · 3 min

Carrier love: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Turn your cat's carrier into a familiar, cosy retreat by leaving it out year-round with soft bedding and daily treats.

Lesson · 2 min

Enter the carrier on cue: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Train your cat to enter the carrier on cue, stay calm with the door closed, and accept gentle lifting.

Lesson · 3 min

Wearing a harness: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Introduce a secure cat harness step by step indoors, pairing sniffing, buckling, and walking with high-value food rewards.

Lesson · 3 min

Walking on a lead indoors: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Clip a lightweight lead to the harness indoors, let your cat trail it, then follow with slack.

Lesson · 5 min

Short car rides: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Build calm car rides by pairing engine sounds and short drives around the block with treats and a secured carrier.

Lesson · 5 min

Carrier at the vet: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Keep your cat calm in transit and the waiting room, then unclip the carrier top for a low-stress exam.

Lesson · 5 min

Settling into a new home: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Help your cat settle calmly in a new home with a safe room, familiar scents and steady routines.

Lesson · 5 min

Walking on a lead outdoors safely: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Move lead walking outside safely: watch for dogs, keep a clear retreat route, and let your cat explore calmly.

House manners

Essential household habits for a calm, polite cat, from furniture-friendly scratching to peaceful meals and quiet nights.

7 lessons

Lesson · 3 min

Scratch the post, not the sofa: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Move scratching from sofa to a sturdy post with smart placement, appealing textures and rewards.

Lesson · 3 min

Gentle play without hands: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Teach your cat toys are for pouncing and biting while hands and ankles stay off-limits.

Lesson · 3 min

Counter alternative: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Train your cat to choose a dedicated high kitchen perch instead of jumping on food prep counters.

Lesson · 5 min

Nighttime calm: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Set an evening play, feed, and sleep routine so your cat settles through the night without waking you.

Lesson · 4 min

Calm with visitors: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Help your cat stay calm when guests visit with high retreats, no forced greetings, and rewards for relaxed observation.

Lesson · 4 min

Calm with children: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Build calm, safe bonds between your cat and children with clear boundaries, quiet play and a retreat zone.

Lesson · 5 min

Peaceful feeding: a step-by-step lesson for cats

Establish separated feeding stations and low-stress mealtime routines to prevent food competition and conflict in multi-cat homes.

Starter tricks

Paw tricks, spins, boops and jumps your cat can learn in a few short sessions. Every trick here builds on a nose target and a charged marker.

13 lessons

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to touch things with its paw

Your cat learns to paw a lid or sticky note. Paw targeting is the base for high five and more.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to high five

Your cat taps your raised palm with a front paw, a friendly first trick most cats learn in a week.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to shake paws

Your cat places a front paw in your open, palm-up hand and holds it there a moment.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to wave

Your cat lifts a paw and paddles it in the air without touching anything. Built straight from high five.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to spin in a circle

Your cat follows your hand in a full circle and returns facing you. Fun and fast to learn.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to sit pretty

From a sit, your cat lifts both front paws off the floor and balances upright on its haunches.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to give a kiss (nose boop)

Your cat touches its nose to your cheek, chin or finger for a gentle 'kiss'; great for photos.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to head bump on cue

Your cat rubs its cheek on your offered hand on cue, turning a natural greeting into a named trick.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to jump up on cue

Your cat jumps onto a stool or chair on cue, the first step toward agility.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to jump down on cue

Your cat hops down from a chair or bed onto a spot you point to, on a polite cue.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to follow a target

Your cat follows a target stick at a walk, across the room and round furniture.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to go round a pole

Your cat walks round a pole, chair leg or plant pot and comes back to you.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to ring a bell

Your cat taps a desk bell with a paw to ring it. Later it can ring for dinner or play.

Intermediate tricks

Roll over, hoops, fetch, shoulder rides and useful household tricks. Longer to teach, built from the starter tricks.

17 lessons

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to roll over

From a down, your cat follows a treat lure onto its side, over its back and onto the other side.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to play dead

Your cat flops onto its side and stays until you release it, using roll over and stay.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to jump through a hoop

Your cat goes through a hoop on the floor, then raised a little until it hops through.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to jump over a bar

Your cat jumps over a low bar between two supports, first walking over it, then hopping.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to ride on your shoulder

Your cat jumps from a chair or counter onto your shoulders when you pat, then rides there.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to fetch

Your cat brings a small toy back to your hand, taught backwards from the drop with shaping.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to come to a whistle

Your cat learns that a whistle means run to you for something great.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to stand tall on its back legs

Your cat stands up on hind legs with front paws in the air, then comes back down.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to close a drawer

Your cat pushes a slightly open drawer or cupboard door shut with a paw or nose.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to weave through your legs

Your cat weaves in and out of your legs as you stand, then as you walk slowly.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to go to bed on cue

Your cat goes to its own bed or cat tree from anywhere in the room and lies down there.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to walk by your side

Your cat walks next to your leg round the room, following a target or your hand.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to go to its mat from a distance

Your cat goes to a mat several metres away and sits on it while you stay where you are.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to open a door

Your cat pulls a cupboard door open by tugging a soft fabric loop tied to the handle.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to put its toys away

Your cat picks up a toy and drops it into a low box on cue.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to turn on a light

Your cat taps a battery push-light to switch it on or off. A safe version of the light-switch trick.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to say hello on cue

Capture your cat's natural meow or chirp, give it a cue, and get an answer when you ask.

Agility

Tunnels, jumps, hoops, weave poles, steps and ramps, then linking them into a timed course like the ones run at CFA and ICAT cat shows. Every obstacle is taught with a target or toy lure, never by placing the cat.

14 lessons

Lesson · 10 min

How to build a cat agility course at home

Set up a safe, low home agility course from household items and let your cat explore it before training.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to follow a lure over agility obstacles

Your cat follows a target stick, then a wand toy, at walking and trotting speed around the room.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to run through a tunnel

Your cat runs through a tunnel on cue, starting short and scrunched, building to a full or curved tunnel.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to take jumps in a line

Your cat takes bar jumps on a course: one, then a row of three, keeping a steady rhythm on cue.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to jump hoops on a stand

Your cat jumps a standing hoop on cue, so you can run alongside instead of holding it.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to weave through poles

Your cat weaves in and out of upright poles, starting with two and building to six.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to stop on a pause table

Your cat jumps onto a low table, sits or lies down, and waits 3 to 5 before release.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to climb agility steps

Your cat climbs a short set of steps, crosses the top and comes down the other side.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to climb a ramp and A-frame

Your cat walks up a ramp, over a low A-frame and down, keeping all four feet on the board.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to climb a cat wall

Your cat climbs wall shelves or a steep sisal ramp to a landing, then comes down a safe route.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to run ahead to an obstacle

Your cat leaves your side and takes the obstacle you point to, from 1, then 2, then 3 metres away.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to link two agility obstacles

Join two known obstacles back to back so your cat earns one reward after the whole sequence.

Lesson · 4 min

How to teach your cat to link four agility obstacles

Your cat runs four obstacles with turns between them for one reward while you handle from the side.

Lesson · 5 min

How to teach your cat to run a full agility course

Run a full 8 to 10 obstacle course on cue, timed start to finish like a show.

Advanced and shaping

Teach without lures, link tricks into chains, put cues under real stimulus control and take skills anywhere. Ends with a filmed trick routine.

14 lessons

Lesson · 3 min

Free shaping for cats: teach anything in small steps

Mark tiny steps your cat offers, with no lure, pointing or pushing; first project: paw in a bowl.

Lesson · 3 min

101 things to do with a box: a shaping game for cats

Put a box on the floor and mark every new thing your cat offers: step in, paw, push, sit, tip.

Lesson · 4 min

How to teach your cat a chain of tricks

Link three behaviours your cat knows into one sequence ending in one reward, built backwards.

Lesson · 3 min

Distance, duration and distraction: proofing your cat's tricks

Make a known behaviour stronger by raising one of three Ds: distance, duration, distraction.

Lesson · 3 min

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.

Lesson · 3 min

Stimulus control: tricks only when you ask

Polish one trick to pass four tests: on cue, never uncued, not to other cues, nothing else.

Lesson · 3 min

How to get your cat to do tricks anywhere

Take one trick to new rooms, people, positions and times until your cat does it anywhere.

Lesson · 3 min

How to fade the lure and the clicker

Fade a trick from treat lure to hand signal to word, then mix rewards; clicker stays for new learning.

Lesson · 5 min

How to build a trick routine with your cat

Plan, practise and film 5 or more tricks in one continuous take for a video exam.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to find a treat under a cup

Your cat finds which of three upside-down cups hides a treat and shows you with a nose or paw touch.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to spin left and right

Your cat spins clockwise on one cue and anticlockwise on another, and knows which is which.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to freeze on cue

Your cat stops and holds still in whatever position it is in, even mid-step, until you release it.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to back up

Your cat backs up on cue, shaped one back-foot step at a time in a narrow lane.

Lesson · 3 min

How to teach your cat to crawl

From a down, your cat creeps forward low, first under a low bridge, then on open floor.

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