A Docile Pupil to Teach - The Underlying Principle to Observe - Easy Tricks - Jumping Ringing a Bell - Asking to Go Out - Rolling a Ball - Begging

Although the cat is by nature ashy animal, she is not nearly as difficult a subject to teach tricks as people imagine. Patience and gentleness are the great secrets of success.

Never lose your temper when trying to instruct a cat, for there is no intentional stupidity on her part, but simply the fact that she does not understand what you wish her to do.

A few minutes' tuition regularly every day is of far greater value than a longer period of intermittent intervals, for puss soon tires of a game the meaning of which she fails to comprehend.

Watch carefully, in order to ascertain which tricks most closely correspond to her natural habits, and then set to work.

At first she will greatly resent interference, but a reward in the form of a small piece of favourite food will quickly reconcile her wounded feelings, and she will before long grasp the fact that by complying with her owner's wishes she is paving the way to obtaining something tasty for herself.

Quite one of the easiest tricks to teach is to make her jump over the arms or through a hoop.

In order to do this, kneel upon the ground, holding the hands clasped in front, with the cat in the space between them and yourself. Get someone to call her, and after a minute or two she will walk over the barrier.

Do this several times, until she has firmly grasped what you mean her to do.

Next raise the hands slightly, but not sufficiently for her to crawl beneath, and have her again enticed out.

Once this difficulty has been conquered, it is merely a matter of time to persuade her to jump higher and higher, until finally she will spring through the arms when held level with the shoulders - the trainer, of course, kneeling.

A trick successfully accomplished should always be rewarded by the dainty most appreciated by the performer; this, of course, acts as a stimulus.

Simple Tricks

To teach a cat to ring the bell for dinner is a simple matter, for every feline enjoys playing with a piece of string.

Tie a light bell to the end of a thick woollen cord, and fasten this over the back of a chair - or to the wall, if preferred - and make her pull the free end before she is given her dinner. At first she will only play with it, but by holding her, and giving it a little pull, and patting her when the bell rings, she will very soon learn to pull it for herself.

Place the bell in position before feeding her, but should she fail to accomplish the task, do not rob her of her food, but try gentle persuasion.

Should she prove obstinate upon any occasion - and cats are as perverse as human beings - ring the bell for her, and let her off for that day. By tinkling the little bell, she will learn to associate its sound with food.

A cat which knew this trick thoroughly used not merely to ring when he wanted food, but in the middle of eating his bread and milk would calmly walk to his bell and pull it - for more milk!

One of the most useful things a cat can be taught is to pull up the corner of the mat and drop it quickly when she wants to go out. This makes quite a loud noise.

Hold her gently but firmly, and with the right hand place her paw in such a position that the claws can reach the edge of the mat. Then illustrate what you wish her to do, by pulling up the corner and letting it drop. After about half a dozen demonstrations, let her out.

A Cat Who Thought

Do this regularly when she goes out, and she will soon grasp what you mean. After that she will do it at the word of command, and then she will be heard to ask to be allowed out. A cat living near London was taught this so successfully that she would knock with the heavy hall mat several times in succession, and upon its failing to arouse the household, would give vent to her feelings in no soft and silvery tones, the combined music seldom failing to attract someone's attention.

One of the most simple tricks to teach a cat is to make her run a ball quickly down the room, using the forefeet alternately.

Hold the cat in position, and make her hit the ball - one made of celluloid or rubber being best - first with one paw and then with the other. It will take her a little time to understand that both feet must be used, but it is a trick that she will like, for most felines enjoy playing with a ball.

A Cat Acrobat

Another trick, but one which requires a more experienced performer, is to place her on a big rubber ball, and teach her to propel it herself whilst keeping her balance.

First she must learn to stand steadily upon its summit; this is quite a simple matter, as any cat can prowl along an inch-wide fence with ease. When that has been learned, whilst holding her firmly, push the ball a few inches and stop. Repeat this several times, and then end the lesson for that day. Do this fairly frequently, and she will soon make an effort herself. The ball, of course, moves in a backward direction as she uses the walking movement.

Although a cat can beg as easily as a rabbit, she seldom exhibits the faculty. In order to train her, hold a piece of meat just above her head, and she will try to snatch it with her paw; but do not let her get it that way. Hold her in the required position, with a firm hand on her forepaws, and with the other hand hold the meat above her, and slightly behind. She will learn to beg really prettily in a very short time.

Not long ago, a lady who had been at great pains to teach her dog to "sit up," was heard to remark that the kitten, through jealousy and watching the dog perform, had taught herself the trick!

Feline Patriotism

Few people appear to know that begging is a trick natural to felines.

To die for its country" is always a favourite trick. At the word "die" gently roll the cat on the ground, where she must lie motionless, until "Policeman" is softly whispered, when she must be raised to her feet. After she has successfully - or unsuccessfully at first - performed give her a reward; these little prizes have a wonderful influence. This lesson, if persevered with, should be learned in a few days.