How to teach your cat to wave

You'll need

• clicker or a word like “yes”
• small soft treats
• wand toy (optional)

Why it matters

Wave teaches your cat that the marker can mark a movement in the air, not just a touch. That idea unlocks harder tricks later.

Before you start

Play with a wand toy for a few minutes first. Train in a quiet room before a meal, when slightly hungry. Have 10 to 15 pea-sized soft treats ready.

Step by step

1. 1

   High five warm-up

   Do 3 easy high fives to start.

   Move on when: 3 clean high fives

   Tip: Warm-ups remind your cat the game is on.

2. 2

   Mark before the touch

   Offer your palm for a high five and click just before the paw reaches it. Pull your hand back a little as you click.

   Move on when: Paw lifts toward the palm 8 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Your marker timing matters most here. Practise marking at a ball thrown in the air.

3. 3

   Raise the hand

   Hold your palm higher and further back so the paw reaches but cannot touch. Click the highest reach.

   Move on when: Paw lifts above head height without touching 6 out of 10

   Tip: If your cat stands up, lower your hand a little.

4. 4

   Change the signal

   Switch from a flat palm to a small wiggle of your fingers from further away. Click the lifted paw.

   Move on when: Waves at finger wiggle from 50 cm, 6 out of 10 tries

   Tip: Keep the old palm handy as a helper for a try or two.

5. 5

   Add the cue

   Say "Wave" before the finger wiggle. Click a paw lift.

   Move on when: Waves on cue 4 out of 5 times

   Tip: Mark two paddles in a row later to get a bigger wave.

The cue

Say

“Wave”

Hand signal

Wiggle your fingers at the cat from about 50 cm away

If it isn't working

Cat keeps reaching for your hand

Mark earlier, mid-lift, and move your hand away as you mark. Then treat low.

Paw only lifts a little

That is fine for now. Mark the small lifts and raise the bar by 2 cm a session.

Cat gets frustrated and swats

Go back to two easy high fives, pay well, and end the session.

Mastered when

Waves on the verbal cue with a hand signal from 1 m, 4 out of 5 times, in 2 rooms

Video check: Film 3 cued waves in a row with no hand touch

Variations

• Wave goodbye from a doorway
• Wave with either paw
• Toy-dangle method: mark a bat at a toy hung out of reach

Teach this first

• How to teach your cat to high five →

Learn next

• How to teach your cat to sit pretty →