Does your cat hate being picked up? In this cat training tutorial, we will show you how to overcome this challenge and help your cat learn to enjoy being held. To change your cat's feelings about being carried, you need to use food your cat loves. If your cat isn't food-motivated, watch our video on treats: • The Best Treats For Tr...
Have fun training!
Julie and Jones
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⭐ START TRAINING ⭐
🧰 STEP 1: Get your Cat School Training Toolkit
Includes all the clicker tools your need to start training your cat
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• Amazon (Canada): www.amazon.ca/dp/B084NHN1ST/r
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📺 Step 2: WATCH OUR BEGINNER CAT TRAINING TUTORIALS
How to Start Clicker Training Your Cat: • How To Start Clicker T...
Cat Training 101 - Why You Need a Clicker!: • Cat Training 101 - Why...
Best Treats for Training Cats: • The Best Treats For Tr...
30 Tricks to Teach Your Cat: • 30 Tricks To Teach You...
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🙋🏻♀️ Step 3: GET HELP AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Join the Cat School online platform to follow our training roadmap and earn badges for your accomplishments. Students who purchase our tools get one month for free! Training support included. www.catschool.co/membership
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👩🏻💻 MEET THE TEACHER
Welcome to Cat School. I am Julie Posluns, an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist (ACAAB). My mission is to help people enrich their cat’s life with clicker training. My assistant in the videos is a black cat named Jones, who has a full scholarship to Cat School..
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Me: "picks up my cat" My cat: slithers out like a snake within 2 seconds
Black cats are the cutest
I've picked up cats who, according to their owner, are notorious for not liking to be picked up. And they would stay there and just chill, to the utter surprise of their owner. The key is to pick them up as a toddler. Put their front paws on your shoulder and let their hind paws sit on your hip/side. Then put one arm under their butt to support their weight. That way, they can feel stable while still being held. Plus, you'll have one hand free to do whatever with.
tried that, scratched my nipple!!
I would carry my cat around as a toddler, she grew out of it in adulthood.
@@12mohameda12 hahaha sorry for laughing 😂
Yeah, I’d love to see you try that with one we just got from the shelter. He goes insane the moment you elevate him. I have two others that are fine being carried all over the house. A forth one is okay with being elevated, but only for brief moments and short distances. It truly depends on the cat.
@@F16_viper_pilotMine, whom is kinda feral (had her since 5 weeks, she’s 9 years now) doesn’t like being picked up either. She goes insane lol. I’ve been training with her for a few days now and she’s doing so much better. I only started training her when she was 6, different things. It’s possible even when it’s later in their life!! And mine is SO intellectual it’s CRAZY. Good luck! ❤
Holy cow this is brilliant. I just rescued a three month old baby cat who is super sweet, but I don't know ANYTHING about cats, and I want to approach handling him in a way that isn't threatening. Thank you for this awesome resource
I love the clicker method my cat has learned so fast and he loves getting treats!
hey can u tell me something
It doesn't make sense to me. I have to have the clicker with me all the times or it wouldn't work
Thank you so much for this video! Any time I’ve had to pick her up her ears immediately go back and she gets scared. She’s a rescue so I think someone definitely held her wrong at some point! 😭
Ive got a rescue too. Ive never been able to pick her up. Ive had going on 2 yrs and she's about 3. But im gonna try this.
Yeah, all mine are rescues. Two are fine being picked up, one is okay for a few moments, and the forth goes Tasmanian Devil.
@@naddypearl did it help?
THANK YOU! Im gonna try this because my cat HATES being picked up and cries then she eventually growls so I needed this!!!
Just hold your palm underneath their back feet. They can stand on your hand, and shoulder while the front hand tucks them into the body so they can't wobble much.
My cat will stare intently at me and just purr when they want to get picked up… sometimes if I’m sitting and they want me to pick them up, they will “climb” me
My cat loves it 🥰she meows when she wants me to pick her up like a baby and be pet❤️
This is so helpful!!! Thank you.
My cat literally hates being picked up or pet😔she screams and growls if you pick her up and squirms to get away and if you pet her she runs away really quick
Thank you so much for these training videos 🐱
What a great video! I can’t wait to try this with mine.
You are really good at training!
Thank you for this helpful video! You and Jones are always amazing! I’ve been following your channel for months and my little cat can do several tricks now! I do feel that training really helps to build up a bond between me and my cat. Thank you again for the your brilliant guide! I saw Jones doing the Spanish walk in another video, could you please make a tutorial for that? It will be super adorable!
Seems like a great guide! I'm going to try this for sure.
What a gorgeous cat!
Wow, this video makes it look so easy. I like that we go step by step, my cat doesn't like being held on the hind legs yet, I could only put my hand a long time on the front shoulders without having him angry, but I hope he will respond to a treat.
Thank you very much for this video. Fostering a cat now that does not like to be picked up. We have come a long way already but have to work on these tips and tricks. She only likes lickable treats and it was a pleasant surprise to see that you were also using lickable treats on your video. Thank you
I can pick my cat up as long as she is able to see something interesting, like looking out a window or walking around looking at the counter or table. Other than that she wants down. Likes to be in control. If I used treats she probably would stay but then she would beg. And she can be quite insistent, which could be annoying. I’ll just pick her up and when she wants down she jumps right down. Maybe after awhile she will get to like it, 🤷♀
Yeah, mine sometimes like it, sometimes not, but they're generally more receptive if I walk around rather than just stand in one place. I don't think they're uncomfortable in my case, I think they just get bored with it fast and are quickly ready to move on to something else. They're also more receptive if I carry them in the direction they were planning on going anyway. Which I can usually figure out just because I'm apparently better at understanding cats than humans
Thank you for the detailed tutorial. I have one that is very timid and goes full berserker mode when lifted. Two others I have are fine being carried around.
Such a big boy! Thanks for sharing all you know about cat training! :)
Right back at you!!!
thank you for this
This was really good.
I have had cat ferals, rescues, fostercare,etc for 30+ years.... watching you video taught me new trick/ideas... you are amazing.... keep up the good work. We I/wife are working on a perminent foster care family of three cats, Lefty the girl, is super scared when we try to pick her up, it claws, climbs up an over you or jumps, amd hides she is so fast she is a blurrrr.
He looks super healthy and adorable!
Thank you for this video!!! This will keep me and my cat busy for a long time with a goal to work towards that'll be fun for us both!
Or maybe not that much time... Day 2 and she doesn't care about my hand on her booty as long as the snacks keep coming :'D :'D :'D
Did it work?!
I've got three cat siblings, 4 years old. One loves to be carried around, rests on my chest or belly when I'm laying on the couch or bed. One loves to sit and lay on my shoulder, witch style. One is the biggest cuddly sweetheart, but she starts to make very scared noises as soon as she is being picked up, and after a few seconds she starts to thrash around, still wailing and finally scratching if not put down onto the ground. I just ordered a clicker and a target stick, and start practising. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Amazing I would try this with my cat
Yes - this is what I wanted
I've read a few comments about some cats who growl, hiss when they're being picked up. Fortunately, my cats are not like that, they allow me to pick them up but they don't love it, and they can't wait until I put them back on the floor. I try to respect that though. I am not either someone who loves hugs and that's fine 😅
ty
Going to try this with our boy. He wriggles protests when carried.
I think I lucked out my cats never really had a problem with me picking him up but it might also be because I always make sure that all four of his legs are laying on my arms when I carry him so he could jump off anytime he wants
Great tips. I'll try with my kitty boy. Beautiful black cat! He looks so much like my other cat that was with me for 14 years. :(
*guide your cat with food to put their paws on your arm* My cat: *sees that he needs to reach up to reach food* *Leaves because too much effort* 🤦♀️ Maybe I need tastier treats
Lucky for your there are only two variables you need to figure out: 1) Is the job too hard? 2) Is the paycheck too little? If you want to use those treats make the "job" easier. As a first step, can your cat put two paws on a yoga block or other object? We have a video on that: kzhead.info/sun/i6yHcr2pqoiNeIU/bejne.html
@@CatSchool thank you for the tip! I'll try that first then, training him to put his paws on an object first.
Both my cats are extremely lazy, even though they're crazy about cat cream (when I take it out of the cupboard they almost climb me like a tree, they want it so bad. But when I link it to having to do sth they think FU). So far I've not come far with any kind of training because they just don't want to participate. Not giving up though. I just like the interaction too much and think it'll make both of our lives easier at one point.
Love this video. What is the treat you are feeding him? My cat refuses to eat unless the food is on the floor.
A great video! Do you think it's possible to teach a cat to be ok with water/baths ect?
I have 3 cats and they continually show me that they love me BUT, none of them will let me pick them up. Roxi. my Russian Blue is at my side 24/7. She still refuses to let me pick her up. Your training method looks absolutely doable. II just found that the "Temptations Creamy Purrrree pouch treats are like crack for all three. It'll help immensely for training. Thank you SO MUCH for this informative video!
how did it go?
My cat is not particularly fond of being held or carried but she does seem to enjoy sitting on my shoulder like a parrot. She'll even stay up there as I slowly (fast movement is asking for pain and blood) walk around. Work in progress to get her to trust me enough to not latch on with claws. Been teaching her to not use claws for various activities using the phrase "soft paws"
What happens when the treat is gone? How do you transition from giving a treat while being held to just being held? Thanks! PS: Your method has worked perfectly for a homeless six month old kitten who showed up on our deck two weeks ago and was quite fearful of people. Now I can hold her in my arms-as long as the treat holds out!
Important to note: If you are raising your cat from a kitten, especially if it is a tomcat, the easiest way to make sure you have a holdable cat in the future, is to pick them up and hold them each and every day while they are still a kitten. Eventually you can Skip days, and have them still accept the way you are comfortable holding them. Thanks for the video!
I love your videos ❤️❤️❤️🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛ and I have a dark black cat and he loves eating 🍽 hahaha
haha
hahah
We have a cat that adopted us when we lived in an RV park. We fed him and loved on him. The owners didn't want him and let him roam free outside. I have 2 other cats (female) so we were a little cautious. We went to Hawaii on vacation and said if he is still around when we get back then we will take him to the vet and get him vaxed and then eventually neutered. It has been about 4 yrs now and he doesn't like to be held, and I just want to cuddle him so much. When we first met him, we thought he was Siamese, but as the months went on, he got big and fluffy. We did a DNA test and he has 10% mainecoon and more the ragdoll type. The vet thought I had a different cat. His name is Walter, and my other 2 are Maui and Hana. Do you really think he will start to like to be held if I do these steps? Since he was a wild cat, I'm thinking he will always be on guard. He is 17 lbs and fluffy. Me and my husband want so badly for him to cuddle and let us hold him.
Yes, it will work, but you may want to introduce some easier skills first. The other path to achieve this is to teach him to jump on your lap.
I found it. It will be interesting to try because what I didn't mention is my kitty was thrown from a vehicle and had injuries. Her claws also don't retract. Not sure if she was born that way or if it's from the accident. Even though I'm on blood thinners, we didn't want to have them removed. If we try to hold her she freaks out.. So if I can ever hold her, hopefully she'll be gentle with the claws
Thanks so much for posting this video! I had wondered if it was possible for ages so I’m very excited to try it. I tried the first step with her the other day and initially she was great at putting her paws onto my arm, but now she has stopped and will either try and whack the mousse packet out of my hand or will jump over my arm (she seems to remember that well from teaching her to jump through the arm hoop). The treat is extremely high value, I’ve never seen her so focussed on a food before. Any suggestions for what I can try? Thanks so much!
Teach your cat to put two paws on an object first. Gradually raise the object until it is the same height as your arm and switch to your arm: kzhead.info/sun/i6yHcr2pqoiNeIU/bejne.html For more support, please consider joining our online class.
Nice
I wish I HAD to learn this lmfao. I've got a 16lb Domestic Short-hair that will jump onto my shoulders when I'm not paying attention to him. Its flattering he thinks my shoulders are a ledge, but when he misses it hurts 😭🤣
Great video and tips! I’m curious to know the treats you use for training Jones? I worry that I may be over feeding my cat during these trainings and was wondering if there are any low calorie options for them. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
Check out our video on treats: kzhead.info/sun/l8WIdsl-oqurgIk/bejne.html
I use Redbarn protein puffs, just 0.3 calories each
We are definitely getting there! My cat is clawing into me though. Any tips on that? Thanks!!
It's hard to say without seeing your training. Your cat might be responding to the feeling of instability. Go slow to build your cat's confidence and consider wearing a jean jacket during training while you work on improving this.
@@CatSchool why do cats do this? I see so many that are cuddling in bed with their human and on the shoulder without training. This cat I’ve had since she was a few weeks old is very attached to me and we’re bonded but picking her up is an absolute NO for her. She follows me walks next to me sleeps above my head on my bed and strangely taught me she only wants fresh bottled water no stale water bowls. So when she wants water she goes to the fridge and I get her bottle of eat and she starts drinking. This goes on several times a day so I just bought her a drinking fountain that runs fresh water and has a faucet water runs constantly from. I can’t wait for her to see it. And I can’t wait to stop breaking my back spoiling my cat. I wouldn’t want to drink the same water out of the same bowl every day but somehow we expect animals too. My cat isn’t having it.
@@falloutman565 Different cats have different preferences and comfort levels with how they like to be touched. It's literally the same as with people.
I really googled this. You can really find anything on the internet so thank you random cat Lady
Mine turns its head like she's going to bite me and gives a loud, angry meow. She is semi-feral.
Hi, I have look youtub find from your video show the world. I wonder why the reason my cat is most the black, my cat her named 'Bear', also she has not liked to pick up hold and bit me then i let leave her less for since and her age one old. Now you have great vidoe teach your cat awareness and im interested. I will do that learn about it🥰 soon. THANK YOU FOR HELPFUL 😇
Nice Video. So. Since my parents never learned about Cats and First I was a dumb Teenager my Cats aren't thst Trained. But even as Seniors I notice they can get Trained. But still I want them Some Things to learn.like being picked Up (Our living room is "forbidden" Said by my parents. I Trained them to mostly Go Out of the room Just by Leading them in my side, calling them. Bit sometimes they are to comfy ob the chairs so I Need to Pick them Up. )
Great video as always! However, why don't we start with clicker training from the get go? I was following the video on how to train your cat to "hug" you and it is very similar but you use clicker training from the start. Why is it different for picking them up? Thanks!
Great question and you're right - we could use clicker training for those first two steps because you are teaching your cat an action (two paws on the shoulder). However, as soon as you touch the cat's hind end (in step 3), you would be switching to counter conditioning. Since the overarching goal is changing the cat's feelings, I chose to focus more on that and reserve the clicker training for the end.
im so glad one of my cats just loves being picked up without any training. For the other two.... one is a bit too fat to be just picked up by the underside ( rightfully it compresses her too much), so it never happens that way (while the other has no problem with the underside grab, as hes very lean and fit, i suspect hes part ragdoll XD), and she is too stubborn for tricks, we are still trying to teach her to press the button, as se just taps it and doesnt compress it. The other one, i suspect she has a sensitivity to touch, as she is long furred and its hard to tell if everything is allright under there. Unfortunately this last cat isnt under my care, but my grandmas, so i cant really do anything about it...
How long did it take for this cat to learn that trick, in days of practice?
What treats do you give your cats as a lot of treats have high fat value and make the cat overweight.
Do you have a nail clipping session. Would love to learn, we have been going to vet to get it done. She is an angel there, but at home will not stay still long enough. Need Help!
Yes, please visit our website (catschool.co) to check out our membership program. Nail trimming is in there.
Any suggestions for training a cat that doesn't like treats? My cat has no interest in treats. In fact, she doesn't like anything outside of her dry food
I have a question about your training program. Does it have some sort of recommended progression for training? I thought my cat how to sit relatively easily. I the. Tried to teach him to sit pretty but he always grabs my arm instead of balancing just on his two hind paws. I'm not sure if the trick is too difficult and I should be trying a simpler one.
Yes, the online class is more of a training roadmap. Building balance in Sit Pretty takes time. Try feeding your cat with wet food on a spoon, as I show here on this Instagram post: instagram.com/reel/CNm5DFXgGAz/?
What treat are you using?
My cat is pretty receptive to training just with vocal "good job" type stuff, but won't eat any treats of any kind. She don't seem to like the taste of anything, just eats her food when she's hungry and nothing else. Are there any other things I can use as reinforcement?
Esta información vale millones 🤑
How old is Jones? Great video, btw!
Jones is 6 :)
@@CatSchool Thanks! Your videos seem even more impressive, now that I know that he’s an adult, since cats may get lazy when they age. He’s also really handsome! Imo, black cats (regardless of breed) are the most beautiful cats, after the jaguar-like bengals.
ohh thank you for this video! (3rd comment btww)
I tried to train my 3 kittens for a year now to being picked up without using treats, I was able to train my cats without treats whatsoever without issues the whole time, but I guess I'm gonna have to start training them being picked up with treats now, because they still don't like it. They are kind of control "freaks", they only like it when they're doing it on their own initiative.
I recently got a cat. He's a toddler and his previous owner used to carry him like this. But he's very shy and scratched some ppl home! Idk what to do.. And he doesn't like being picked up or being near us, he'll run or scratch us!
What treats did u use???
What is that treat? It looks like something that can be licked -- not like a dry kibble or wet food. Thanks for the tips and info on this. 👍
It’s called churu and it’s basically a lickable cat treat
Can you tell me what type of squeeze treats you use?
Inaba Churu Puree
I have a kitty that loves attention, but conplsins about close contact. She really does not care about food. She'll eat it when she needs to but really doesn't like treats. Not normal treats, fish, chicken bacon etc. What do I do?
Sorry if I missed it, but what is the name of the treats you are using here?
You might be referring to the Inaba Churu Puree.
I've never seen someone put their hand on the cats actual butt area usually I've seen people supporting the hind legs with the back paws in their hands
I adopted two kittens recently and they’re 13 weeks old now and don’t let me carry them and refuse to sit on my lap :( They love being pet and like sitting close to me, but once I try to pick them they move away. I know I’m holding them right but they immediately want to get off, and when I present the treats they love, they refuse to eat if while in my arms, or take it and immediately move away to eat it. I’m starting to feel helpless about training them, but I just really want to be able to hold them and let them sleep in my lap :(
Switch to using a lickable treat like Inaba Churu purée or wet food on a spoon. The food needs to be delivered with the cat in the position. Try feeding them on your lap first before working on carrying them. For more support, please consider joining our online program.
What is the name of the treat you were using in the beginning? Looks like some sort of packet.
they are squeeze up treats. Churu treats is a good brand that my cats go crazy for
What if you have a cat who isn't really food motivated? she has some fav treats, but is totally fine leaving them
Check out our video on treats: kzhead.info/sun/l8WIdsl-oqurgIk/bejne.html
Omg I know this is an old video but I wonder if anyone can help. Can I just use a pen that retracts (has a clicking sound) for the clicker training? Or does it need to be louder?
It can TECHNICALLY be any sound that can be recreated exactly and right when you want it, as long as they can hear it and associate that with reward you should be okay
@@daisymay6505 thank you for the response! Hope you have a good day!
How do you teach cats not to use claws when playing
Sadly, my cat is soooo dumb. He is adorable & super affectionate, but hates to be picked up. He just cant understand the instructions. Any other suggestions or way to pick up?
What should I do if my cat bites/hits me? Should we stop the training session altogether and try again at a different time? I want to teach her that biting will not be rewarded and promote more desirable behaviors
What if the cat does not step on me, so stage 1. is a fail?
Your cats like eating from your hands but some cats just don’t like that, so how does this work,
what about if you don't have cat food😮
My cat likes me hold him but only standing up if I sit down holding he doesn't like it idk why
Yaxthat didn't work my cat wouldn't put her paws up at all she kept going under my arm ..
My name is Jones 😂
My cat contorts to bite if you try to pick her up
my cat doesn’t do the first step when i put my hands up😊
My cat won’t do that with food though only 1 will and she already lets us pick her up
Y know what cats are funny they are hard animals
my cat: nah
You see I’m trying the steps, putting the treat on my arm but you see he doesn’t notice where the treat is whatever I do. I snap as well
rofl i would not like some strange woman hell even my mom crattling my butt either i dont blame him lol. on a more serious note very beautiful cat.
But mine is a British shorthair it is in their blood.
My cat is scared of the clicker 💀
No 44℅
I attempted step 1, and my cat would rather stand on her two feet to reach the treat than to put her paws on my arm 😭
wait, so does that mean you'd forever have to give a treat each time the cat climbs your shoulder?