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.
- Difficulty
- Some practice
- Session
- 3 min
- To learn
- 8-15 sessions
You'll need
- clicker or a word like “yes”
- small soft treats
Why it matters
Sit pretty builds core strength and balance and is a classic trick title skill.
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
Start in a sit
Ask for a sit. Hold a treat at the nose, then raise it 3 cm. Click when the front paws lighten or one lifts.
Move on when: One paw lifts 8 out of 10 tries
Tip: Go straight up, not forward. Forward makes the cat stand.
Both paws up
Raise the treat a little higher, straight up. Click the moment both front paws leave the floor.
Move on when: Both paws off the floor 6 out of 10 tries
Tip: Mark fast. The cat only needs to be up for a blink at first.
Balance
Wait one second with paws up, then click. Build to 2 or 3 seconds.
Move on when: Holds 2 seconds 6 out of 10 tries
Tip: Let your cat rest a paw on your other hand for balance if it wobbles.
Fade the treat
Use the same upward movement with an empty hand. Click and treat from the other hand.
Move on when: Sits pretty for an empty hand 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Keep the signal hand above the head, palm down.
Add the cue
Say "Pretty" before your hand rises.
Move on when: Sits pretty on cue 4 out of 5 times
Tip: Ask for only 3 to 5 per session. It is hard work for the legs.
The cue
- Say
- “Pretty”
- Hand signal
- Flat hand, palm down, lifted slowly above the cat's head
If it isn't working
- Stands up fully on hind legs and walks
- Lower the treat. Mark before the bottom leaves the floor. A bottom on the floor is the rule.
- Grabs at your hand
- Mark earlier, before the paws reach you, and deliver the treat at nose height.
- Falls over to one side
- Offer your free hand under the front paws to lean on. Build balance slowly.
Safety
Safety- Skip for cats with back, hip or knee problems, or seniors with arthritis.
- Keep sets short (3 to 5 tries) so muscles do not tire.
Mastered when
Sits pretty on cue for 3 seconds, 4 out of 5 times
Video check: Film 2 cued sit prettys, each held for 3 seconds
Variations
- Sit pretty and wave
- Sit pretty on a stool
Teach this first
Learn next
Sources
- 3 easy tricks to teach your cat (Fear Free Happy Homes)
- Click and laugh: fun cat tricks (Karen Pryor, clickertraining.com)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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