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.
- Difficulty
- Takes time
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 15-30 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
- sturdy chair
- thick jumper or towel over your shoulders
Why it matters
Shoulder rides are a crowd-pleaser and a fun way to carry a confident cat. Many cats love a high perch.
Before you start
Play with a wand toy. Train in a quiet room before a meal when hungry. Warm up with 2 or 3 known tricks. Wear thick jumper or towel; trim nails.
Step by step
Paws on your back
Sit on the floor next to a chair your cat is on. Lean forward so your back is level with the seat. Click front paws on your shoulder and treat.
Move on when: Front paws on your shoulders 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Pat your shoulder and hold a treat just over it.
All the way on
Lure all four feet onto your shoulders and back. Click, then feed 2 or 3 treats while your cat stands there.
Move on when: Stands on your back 5 seconds, 6 out of 10 tries
Tip: Stay very still, like a piece of furniture right now.
Sit up slowly
With your cat on, slowly sit up a few centimetres. Treat. Lean forward to let it off.
Move on when: Stays on while you sit up a little, 5 times
Tip: Move like a sloth, because one wobble can scare your cat off.
Higher starting point
Kneel next to a chair, then sit on a low stool, then stand with your cat on a counter. Each time: pat, click the landing, treat.
Move on when: Jumps from counter onto shoulders while standing, 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Keep the gap small: your shoulder right next to the edge.
Add the cue and ride
Say "Shoulder" and pat. Walk a few steps with one hand lightly by your cat's side.
Move on when: Rides 5 steps calmly 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Let your cat off with a cued 'off' onto the counter, not the floor.
The cue
- Say
- “Shoulder”
- Hand signal
- Pat your shoulder twice
If it isn't working
- Digs claws in
- Go back to standing still with a thicker towel. Move less; claws mean the cat feels unsteady.
- Only front paws up
- Lean further forward so your back is flat and level with the surface.
- Jumps and slides off
- The gap is too big. Stand closer to the edge, or go back to sitting.
Safety
Safety- Only for fit adult cats; not for kittens, seniors or cats with arthritis.
- Never walk near stairs, doorframes or stoves; let your cat off onto a surface.
- Jumping less or lower can mean arthritis or pain: skip this and see your vet.
Mastered when
Jumps onto your shoulders on cue from a counter and rides 10 steps calmly, 4 out of 5 times
Video check: Film one cued shoulder jump and a short walk, then a cued 'off' onto the counter
Variations
- Shoulder ride for photos
- Back jump (cat lands on your back while you kneel)
- Shoulder to shoulder of two people
Teach this first
Learn next
Sources
- Click and laugh: fun cat tricks (Karen Pryor, clickertraining.com)
- Osteoarthritis in cats (American College of Veterinary Surgeons)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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