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If you're hoping to teach your cat some tricks, it is best to start with a check-up by your veterinarian to be sure that your cat isn't suffering from some hidden health problem, (IE - arthritis?), that will cause a problem with the training.
Teaching your cat to do a  trick can be either very difficult -- or very easy. It all depends on your cat, - and on the trick you're hoping for. A cat's disposition and personality is very different from a dog's; therefore, the training methods must be tailored to suit them. Cats aren't known for doing tricks. It isn't that they won't, but they need a reason to want to learn.You can't just decide to teach the cat a trick and expect them to want to do it just to please you. (What - ever gave You That Idea?) The cat has to want to be taught and (here’s the tricky part) must be in the mood to want to please you. It will be a big help is your cat is already doing something that you can build into a trick.
Cats are very individualistic. Each cat will react differently to your training attempts. He (or she) may treat you with contempt when you bring this idea up to them, - or she/he may be very curious. Cats are usually plenty smart enough to learn. They just aren’t inclined to pay attention to their owners like dogs do.
Since cats are more independent than dogs, you will need more patience to teach your cat, but think how nice it will be to be able to call your cat - and actually have them come!
 Younger cats are easier to train than older cats. (Cats can become set in their ways - just like humans!). However, just as older humans will try to learn about something that they’re interested in, older cats will too. You may have to watch for them to do something cute and quickly reward them for it. If they get something they want for doing it, you’ll be surprised how quickly they’ll learn.
Speaking of the treats: be sure you have their favorite treat, not what you think they should like. You really want this to be what they want. Some cats will respond to praises, but most cats are more mercenary than that. They expect to be paid – handsomely! It won’t hurt to provide both treats and plenty of praise at first. It is also a good idea to insist that they “earn” the treat.
Make sure that your cat is in the mood to train and that the place where you’ve chosen to train is quiet and free from distractions. If you're trying to share your training space with the television and/or a dog that's also interested in the treats, it’s going to be difficult. Also,- as cute as it is to watch the kids try their hand at the training,- restrict the trainer to One person. Too many trainers at the start will lead to inconsistency and will only confuse your cat. Let them work at their own pace and reward any progress enthusiasticly.
Cats are usually the most playful right before it's time to eat. (Have you noticed that you usually have their undivided attention right before you put their food down?) Even a cat who has "snubbed you" all day will suddenly find that you are "sooo fascinating!" Take advantage of that sudden interest. Don't withhold his food in an attempt to entice him/her to train. That will just get you a crabby cat. (Ever notice how cranky humans are when they're hungry? Same thing!)
The training sessions need to be short.  No more than 10 or 15 minutes. Decide on one trick at a time and stick with the one. I'm sure your cat is doing some really cute thing that you can build on and emphasize. (Does he reach up and bat at things? Maybe you could start by teaching him to 'Shake'. Maybe he likes to lay on his side and roll over. You could extend it into a for real 'Roll Over' command!) Keep all of the training sessions the same. Same trick, same time, same treats, same commands. Cats like routine. At first, you may have to ease your cat into a training session by using a short play period before training.
Teach the basics of the trick before expecting them to do it completely. Stay focused and consistent. If you change your commands or attitude during training, your cat will become confused.-- And stick to it. You need to train every day. For your cat, it's a lot like learning to play a musical instrument. They need to practice. It may take 2 or 3 weeks for your little Furry Einstein to suddenly say “Ah Ha!”
Never, never, never scold your cat for not doing the trick successfully, and don’t force them to do something if they refuse. Encourage them to perform the way you want by using a loving, affectionate tone of voice. Dogs respond to commands, cats don't. Cats can be incredibly stubborn. You will only invite a cold stare and a haughty retreat. You must be the definition of patience!. Quit before your cat does. You want him to still want to play this new game.
Here are a few suggestions to try:
- Come
- At mealtime, call your cat’s name and the command "come". ("Fluffy, come"). Tap on the food bowl to get his attention. Praise and reward him when he does come. It won’t be long before your
 cat will associate the food and the command "come". He will have learned his first trick!
- Shake Hands
- Cats like to touch things with their paws. Let’s use this to teach them to shake. With your cat sitting facing you, touch under and behind his paw and say "shake." (This is the same way we teach dogs to shake.) When he reacts and lifts his paw, gently take it and praise him while giving a treat. If your’re consistent in how you do this, it won’t take long for him to learn.
- Beg
- Have your cat sitting, facing you. Hold a treat just above your cat's head and say "beg." If he stands or jumps at the treat, refuse to give it to him. After he sits down again, repeat the command and wait for him to try again. You may have to hold the treat 3-4 inches above and in front of his eyes and move it up and back while he follows it into a "begging" position. When he gets into the correct position, give him the treat right away. Do the command a few more times before quitting for the day. If your cat should do this trick without being asked, by all means, reward her.
When you move on to teaching another trick, be sure to reinforce the first trick by having your cat do it at the start of each training session and in between sessions. Continue rewarding for doing the trick. After that, start teaching the second trick. Don’t reward for the second trick unless they do it.
If you find that you and your cat are having a good time teaching and learning tricks, you might want to consider some other tricks. Here are some very informative websites that you can surf on over to for more help.
Cats Play
Friskies Cat Tricks
Cat Agility
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