Stimulus control: tricks only when you ask

You'll need

• clicker or a word like “yes”
• small soft treats
• notebook or the app's session log

Why it matters

Tricks that appear only when asked stop becoming constant pestering. Stimulus control means the trick happens on cue and stays quiet when you do not ask.

Before you start

Play a few minutes first, then train in a quiet room before a meal. Have 30 to 50 tiny treats ready and warm up with one easy trick.

Step by step

1. 1

   Pick one trick

   Choose a strong trick your cat offers a lot, like high five.

   Move on when: Trick chosen

   Tip: Offered-a-lot tricks are the best test.

2. 2

   Test 1: on cue

   Ask 10 times across a session. Count correct responses within 2 seconds.

   Move on when: 9 out of 10 correct responses within 2 seconds

   Tip: If it is slow, reward only fast responses for a session.

3. 3

   Test 2: no cue

   Stand quietly for 30 seconds. If your cat offers the trick, do not click; wait, then cue something else and reward that.

   Move on when: Offers it 0 to 1 times in 30 seconds

   Tip: Reward a calm sit or down in between, so something works.

4. 4

   Test 3: other cues

   Cue other tricks. Count how often it does this trick instead.

   Move on when: Wrong trick 1 or fewer in 10

   Tip: Mix in the trick's own cue now and then to keep your cat keen.

5. 5

   Test 4: only this cue

   Cue this trick. Count any other behaviour offered instead.

   Move on when: Other behaviour 1 or fewer in 10

   Tip: Mark only for the exact trick and ignore near misses.

6. 6

   Retest weekly

   Run all four tests once a week for 3 weeks.

   Move on when: Passes all four, 3 weeks in a row

   Tip: Log scores so you can see progress.

The cue

Say

“The trick's own cue”

Hand signal

The trick's own signal

If it isn't working

Offers the trick constantly

Reward a default behaviour like a sit or mat when you have not cued anything. Put the treat pouch away between sessions.

Slow on cue

Mark only for quick responses and keep sessions shorter.

Frustrated during quiet test

Shorten the quiet time to 5 seconds, then build up.

Mastered when

Passes all four stimulus-control tests for one trick, 3 weeks running

Video check: Film Test 2 (30 seconds of quiet) and then 5 cues of the trick

Variations

• Do the same for a second trick
• Use a 'mat' default so your cat has a go-to

Teach this first

• Cue discrimination: teach your cat to tell cues apart →

Learn next

• How to build a trick routine with your cat →
• How to fade the lure and the clicker →