How to teach your cat to weave through poles

You'll need

• clicker or a word like “yes”
• small soft treats
• target stick
• 6 weave poles, 50 to 60 cm apart
• non-slip mat

Why it matters

Weaving is the hardest obstacle to teach and the most impressive to watch. Cats are so flexible that ICAT sometimes swaps poles for low weave jumps, but a clean weave is still a show stopper.

Before you start

Warm up with wand play, then train before a meal. Start with a hand target and one easy obstacle. Quiet room, doors closed, non-slip mats under every obstacle.

Step by step

1. 1

   Through a gate of two

   Set two poles 50 to 60 cm apart. Lead your cat between them with the target. Click as it passes the gap.

   Move on when: Passes between 2 poles 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Always enter with the first pole on your cat's left, as in dog agility.

2. 2

   Two, then the turn

   Lead through the gap, then curve back round the second pole. Click the turn.

   Move on when: Through and round 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Move the target in a gentle S, not a zig-zag.

3. 3

   Four poles

   Add two more poles in line. Lead through all four with a smooth snake of the target.

   Move on when: Weaves 4 poles 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Treat after pole 2 at first, then only at the end.

4. 4

   Six poles

   Add the last two. Click at the exit.

   Move on when: Weaves 6 poles with the target 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Progress past 3 or 4 poles is often slow; stay at 4 as needed.

5. 5

   Cue, then fade the target

   Say "Weave" with a snaking hand. Lift the target higher and further away each session until a hand signal is enough.

   Move on when: Weaves 6 poles with a hand signal 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: If your cat pops out, put the target back for one rep.

6. 6

   Both ends

   Start from the other end, still entering with the first pole on the left.

   Move on when: Weaves 6 from either end 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: One entry rule from both ends keeps it simple for your cat.

The cue

Say

“Weave”

Hand signal

Hand moving in a low S shape along the poles

If it isn't working

Skips poles

Go back to the number it can do. Add channel guides (two rows of cereal boxes) either side to make the path clear.

Goes down the outside

Put the poles along a wall so the outside is blocked on one side, and lead more slowly.

Knocks poles over

Use heavier bases or water-filled bottles. Widen the gap to 60 cm.

Mastered when

Weaves 6 poles on cue and hand signal, entering correctly, from either end, 4 out of 5 times

Video check: Film 2 full six-pole weaves, one from each end

Variations

• Weave jumps: 4 low bars set in a zig-zag
• Weave with you on the other side
• Weave then tunnel

Teach this first

• How to teach your cat to weave through your legs →
• How to teach your cat to follow a lure over agility obstacles →

Learn next

• How to teach your cat to link four agility obstacles →