Many people don’t realise that cats, just like dogs, can be trained using positive reinforcement methods. Marker training, which includes using a clicker or a verbal “YES” marker, is an effective and quick way to help your cat understand what you want and teach them new behaviours.
When I was doing lots of work with cats for film and TV projects, clicker training was the primary method we relied on to teach cats to do all sorts of weird and wonderful behaviours!
Whether you’re working with a kitten or an adult cat, clicker training can strengthen your bond while helping your cat learn useful commands.
What is marker training?
A marker is a tool that helps identify the exact moment your cat performs the desired behaviour. This marker can be a verbal “YES” or the sound of a clicker (a small handheld box tool that makes a distinctive click noise). It serves as a promise to your cat that a reward (a high-value treat) will follow. This consistent pairing helps your cat associate the marker with positive outcomes, making it an effective communication tool.
Using a clicker versus a “YES” marker:
There are some advantages to using a clicker:
The clicker’s sound is consistent and unemotional, eliminating any of the confusing emotional messages your voice may contain. This allows you to be more precise.
It can help your cat switch into a calm and focused “learning state,” even in distracting environments.
With its consistent and accurate sound, it’s a more effective marker for advanced training.
We sell clickers here on our website. However, if you don’t have a clicker but want to get started immediately, or find the coordination of using a clicker a bit tricky, you can absolutely just use the word “YES” in place of the click - just ensure you use a positive, consistent, brief, “up” tone of voice.
Key things to remember:
Think of the clicker like a camera - you click immediately when you see the behaviour you want, as if you’re trying to take a photo of it.
A click or “yes” marker is a promise - it must ALWAYS be followed by a treat.
Timing is everything, you must click the split second your cat does the behaviour you want.
It is a temporary tool, you start by clicking and rewarding every time, then intermittently, then finally you fade it out once your cat is responding reliably.
Once your cat understands how the marker works, and that it’s always followed by a yummy treat, they will learn faster each time you use it to train a new behaviour.
When should you start?
As with any pet training, you’ll get the best results if you start early - ideally in your cat’s formative period (between 3-9 weeks old). They will usually respond well right through to 20 weeks old though, as long as they have had some human socialisation in 3-7 week period. However clicker training can also be introduced to older cats!
Getting started
Equipment needed:
Clicker
High-value treats (e.g. small pieces of cooked chicken or your cat’s favourite treats)
Training table or quiet, distraction-free area
Optional: A tennis ball for practising your timing
Preparation:
Set up: Have your clicker on a wrist lanyard on your non-dominant hand, and treats in a pouch on your waist.
Practise timing: Without your cat in earshot, bounce a tennis ball and practise clicking or saying “YES” the moment it hits the ground. This ensures you’re ready to mark behaviours accurately.
Choose treats: Select small, high-value treats your cat loves, like cheese, butter or roast chicken bits. Trim your cat’s regular meals slightly to maintain a healthy diet. Repetition is more important than the size of the treat, so if using something like cooked chicken, cut it into very small cubes.
Adjust the environment: Begin in a quiet space with minimal distractions to help your cat focus.
Patience: Some cats (particularly older cats) can take a wee while to make the association the first time, but once on it they are away.So be prepared to practise some patience.
Short sessions: Cats have a shorter concentration span than dogs, so practise more often but for short sessions - just 5 to 10 minutes.
Introducing the clicker:
Pair the clicker with food:
Do this training session before your cat’s first meal of the day, so they are hungry and motivated to focus on you and those treats! Or whenever they are most interested in you and your goodies.
Start with the clicker behind your back, in your pocket or inside a sock to soften the sound.
Throw a treat on the ground, then click just as your cat eats it. Repeat 5-10 times until you can see your cat relaxing in response to the sound.
When your cat is comfortable, click then immediately give your cat a treat from your hand. Repeat this 5-10 times.
If your cat seems scared of the clicker, use a softer “puppy clicker” or switch to a verbal “YES” marker.
Build positive associations:
Keep sessions upbeat. Pair the clicker with treats until your cat eagerly responds to the sound. Bring out a favourite toy after a good session is complete to further reward their learning and give them some play to keep them happy!
Teaching the Sit command:
Step 1: Set up
Set up in a simple, distraction free environment and contain your cat up on a table. Some cats will be okay to be free or work in a corner or a more contained space.
Step 2: Lure the behaviour
Place yourself in front of your cat with the food lure in your hand and get your cat focused on the treat.
Hold a treat near your cat’s nose, then slowly move it upward and slightly back over their head. This motion naturally encourages a sitting position.
As soon as your cat’s bottom touches the ground, immediately click or say “YES” and reward with a treat.
Cats typically try lots of other behaviours first such as swiping at your hand, so just try any way you can to get them to Sit so you can click and reward. I do some real antics to get the sit to begin with, because they don’t know what you want until you can mark it with the clicker and reward!
Step 3: Repeat and reinforce
Practise the sit motion several times, ensuring you click or mark the behaviour the moment it happens. Stay patient, cats tend to like to stand up more so this can be harder than it is with a dog.
Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) to prevent frustration or boredom.
Step 4: Add a verbal command
Once your cat reliably sits, introduce the verbal command “Sit” as you lure the behaviour with the treat in your hand.
Gradually reduce the use of the food lure, relying more on the verbal command and a hand signal.
Step 5: Fade the clicker
After 20 or more successful repetitions (this will take several sessions), begin clicking and rewarding intermittently, (eg every 3rd, 6th, 2nd times randomly). Over time, phase out the clicker and treats, relying only on the verbal command and hand signal. This may take a month or more! Bring the marker back any time they start to fade in their behaviour
Teaching recall:
Step 1: Start in an enclosed space
Have your cat closed into one room with minimal distractions, so they’re not going to be too far away from you
Step 2: Call your cat to you
Call your cat’s name followed by a “Come!” command in a positive, encouraging tone of voice. Hold out a favourite treat or shake the treat bag as an incentive for them to make their way to you.
Click as soon as your cat looks to you or moves towards you, then reward with a treat when they reach you.
Toss a treat or toy away from you to get your cat to move a metre or more away, then repeat 5-10 times in a session.
Step 3: Gradually add distance
Begin at a short distance with nothing else more exciting going on, then gradually practise with a bit more distance. Increase slowly and incrementally!
At first, click as soon as your cat looks at you or starts moving to you, then gradually delay and only click when your cat reaches you.
Step 4: Fade the clicker
After 20 or more successful repetitions, begin clicking and rewarding intermittently. Over time, phase out the clicker and treats, relying only on the verbal command. If your cat stops responding, continue to use the clicker and treats for a little longer.
Troubleshooting tips
If your cat struggles to focus, move to a quieter environment.
If your cat isn’t responding, you may be progressing too fast - return to an earlier training step and repeat.
If your cat is sensitive to the clicker noise, use a verbal “YES” marker instead of the clicker.
Consistency is key
Train in short sessions (5-10 minutes) twice a day, several times a week. Repeat the behaviours consistently, and always end on a positive note. Clicker training is not only about teaching commands but also about building trust and a deeper connection with your cat.
Benefits of clicker training
Using a clicker will make training your cat so much faster - cats quickly learn to associate the marker with food rewards, which helps them understand that the click means they’re doing the right behaviour. The process also builds trust and strengthens your relationship with your cat, and provides mental stimulation to reduce boredom and the associated unwanted behaviours.
It’s a fun way to engage with your cat on a deeper level and can transform the way you communicate with each other!
What’s next?
Once your cat becomes familiar with what the clicker means, you can use it to teach a plethora of tricks and behaviours! You can even use it to help correct behavioural issues, help increase a cat’s confidence with new people or encourage a cat to be more affectionate. The world is your oyster!
Whether you’re teaching a simple “sit” or more advanced tricks, your cat will thrive with the guidance of marker-based training!
