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.
- Difficulty
- Some practice
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 6-12 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
- target stick
- stable pole or broom handle in a stand
Why it matters
Sending your cat round an object is a first step toward distance work and agility handling.
Before you start
Play with a wand toy first, then train in a quiet room before a meal, when your cat is a little hungry. Have 10 to 15 pea-sized soft treats ready.
Step by step
Lure round
Stand next to the pole. Use the target stick to lead your cat in a tight circle round it. Click when it comes out the other side.
Move on when: Circles with the target 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Keep the circle tight; the pole sits inside the curve.
Less help
Lead your cat halfway round, then lift the stick away. Click as it finishes the circle on its own.
Move on when: Finishes the second half alone 6 out of 10 tries
Tip: Toss the treat where your cat ends to keep the flow.
Point only
Point at the pole and step toward it. Click when your cat goes round.
Move on when: Goes round to a point 6 out of 10 tries
Tip: Your body helps: lean and step in the direction of travel.
Add cue and distance
Say "Round" and point. Take one step back each session.
Move on when: Goes round on cue from 1 m, 4 out of 5 times
Tip: If it falls apart at distance, go back a step for 3 wins.
The cue
- Say
- “Round”
- Hand signal
- Point at the pole, arm sweeping in the direction of travel
If it isn't working
- Cat cuts the corner and comes straight back
- Use the stick again for a few tries, and mark only when the cat passes behind the pole.
- Cat sits by the pole
- Move faster yourself; walk with your cat for the first half.
- Cat only goes one way
- That is normal. Teach the other direction as a separate cue later.
Safety
Safety- Use a stable pole that cannot tip on the cat.
- Count training treats as part of daily food to keep a healthy weight.
Mastered when
Goes round a pole on cue from 1 m, in 2 places, 4 out of 5 times
Video check: Film 3 cued go-rounds from 1 m
Variations
- Round a cone in agility
- Round your legs (leads to weaving)
- Round a chair from across the room
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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