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.

Difficulty: Advanced
Session: 5 min
To learn: 15-30 sessions

You'll need

wand toy
small soft treats
8 to 10 obstacles
stopwatch or phone timer
a helper to time (optional)

Why it matters

Final exam: timed first obstacle to last, 4 min 30 s limit, 15 points per obstacle plus a bonus per second under the limit if all done. Cats get up to three runs; best counts.

Before you start

Play first, then let your cat settle in the room for a few minutes. Have water nearby. Walk the course yourself first.

Step by step

Build the course
Lay out 8 to 10 obstacles in a loop running counter-clockwise, with steps first. Use only obstacles your cat already does on cue.
Move on when: 8 to 10 obstacles set and checked.
Tip: Mix fast obstacles (tunnel, jumps) with control obstacles (pause table, weave).
Run it in halves
Run obstacles 1 to 5, reward. Rest. Run 6 to 10, reward.
Move on when: Both halves clean.
Tip: Give water and a minute's rest between halves.
Full run, untimed
Run all 10 with the toy lure. Reward with a jackpot and a toy catch at the end.
Move on when: Completes all obstacles in one run.
Tip: If a refusal happens, go back and retry that obstacle once, then carry on.
Time it
Start the clock when your cat touches obstacle 1 and stop it after the last. Write down the time.
Move on when: A finished, timed run under 4 min 30 s.
Tip: Speed comes from flow and confidence, not from rushing your cat.
Three runs, best counts
Do up to 3 timed runs with a rest between. Log your best.
Move on when: Best of 3 runs logged.
Tip: Two runs is plenty for many cats. Stop while it is keen.
Score it
Give 15 points per obstacle completed. If every obstacle was done, add 1 bonus point per second under 270.
Move on when: Score logged with 15 points per obstacle.
Tip: Beat your own score next week; that is the real goal.

The cue

Say: “Let's go”
Hand signal: Toy lure leads; point to each obstacle

If it isn't working

Stops and wanders off mid-course: Show rings and long courses are a lot. Go back to 4 to 6 obstacles and add one per week.
Refuses the same obstacle every time: Take that obstacle out and train it alone again, lower and easier.
Gets faster but sloppier: Slow down. Accuracy first: a completed course scores more than a fast one with misses.
Stressed in a new place: Practise in 2 or 3 rooms at home before any show. Many cats never enjoy shows; home runs count just as much.

Safety

Kittens: elbow height until about a year. Arthritic cats: floor level, vet first.
Use non-slip surfaces; no slippery floors or wobbly furniture.
Cats overheat: stop at open-mouth breathing and keep sessions short.

Mastered when

Completes a full course of 8 or more obstacles on cue in under 4 min 30 s, all obstacles done, in 2 different layouts

Video check: Film one full timed run start to finish with the timer visible on screen; this unlocks the Agility certificate

Variations

ICAT-style course with a mirror jump and a triple jump
Speed course of only jumps and tunnels
Course in the garden on a harness and long line

Teach this first

Learn next

Sources

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

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You'll need

Why it matters

Before you start

Step by step

Build the course

Run it in halves

Full run, untimed

Time it

Three runs, best counts

Score it