Can I train a kitten to ride around the house on my shoulder without jumping off?

Question

I've always wanted my baby kitty to do that :D

Answer 1

i didnt train my cat to he just does it =S

Answer 2

You can - I trained an adult cat to do that (or maybe she trained me).  I could do housework or use the computer with her riding on my shoulders :)

You need to always wear clothing he can grip onto with his claws i.e. nothing with thin straps otherwise he's going to dig into bare flesh (he will need to use claws in order to keep a grip when you move around).  Start by putting him on your shoulders while you are sitting down and give him treats while he is on your shoulders.  Once he learns to associate resting on your shoulders with getting treats you can start to move around with him there.  Never force him to stay up there if he gets uneasy or nervous, but always make it enjoyable.

Answer 3

Yes it's possible and easy.

I've done it with my cat who is also trained to give the paw (right and left on command), give me a high five, roll over, turn around and follow my steps like a dog.

1) Find his prefered treats. Have his food removed 4 to 5 hours before his training sessions. Training sessions should not last more than 7 minutes. Several short session are preferable to few long ones.

2) The trick is to make him understand that he gets rewarded for staying on your shoulder. You must find a position where he naturally stays there for at least 3 to 4 seconds. Don't be to picky about the position. Your cat needs to feel secure in order to stay in one place so sitting on your shoulder is probably not a good position. Laying down on your should is probably more of a winner (that's the position my cat prefers.)

3) Take him, put him on your shoulder and present him the treats WITHOUT giving it to him. If he stays more than 3 seconds, than give it to him. Otherwise take him back up and do it again until he understand that in order to have the treat, he needs to stay there 3 seconds. Once he do it, give him the treat and say "GOOD KITTY" and pet him.

4) Once he did that three times in a row, then get to 5 seconds....then to 10 seconds.......and so on....DO NOT FORCE HIM TO STAY EVER. He needs to have fun doing it. You could also use his prefered game/toy to associate the position with something fun. Play as long as he stays there and stop when he jumps off.

5) One important thing though. Never give the treat more than 3 times.....the forth time, just say "GOOD BOY" like you always do. Then the fifth time come backs with the treats. Never finish a session without the threat though. That will tell your cat that he doesn't always get a treats....but more often he does. The only way to know if he gets one is to stay there!

The process will take probably a month with two or three session a day in order for him to stay there long enough for you to walk with him,

Good luck and please write to me to tell me how well it worked.

Answer 4

That sounds fun :D. Probaly just look it up online.