Quantitative evidence your cat is bored with you
Recently I decided that it would be a good idea to train the cat to ring a bell attached to a string when he wanted attention. As a reward for ringing the bell we got out the laser pointer and did a 2-3 minute routine around the carpet. The upside to the training is he has almost forgotten the bad behavior that got him attention before (chewing things and shaking potted trees). The downside is Linus gets really bored if you are sitting reading, watching TV, or talking. Really bored, like ring the bell 10 times an evening bored. After replacing the laser pointer batteries once, we have alternated the bell ringing with a treat.
If you want to know how to train a cat to ring a bell- here is the science:
1. Clicker train the cat to ring the bell with treats as a reward.
2. Next, reward each bell ring with a click and laser pointer session.
3. Step back and point the laser on the toy/bell until the cat swats it, then move the pointer on ground and then return it to the toy at the end of the session.
4. Be prepared to be annoyed.
This is equivalent to what Jonah has figured out on his own to do when he wants our attention.
If we’re watching TV, he turns the TV off.
If we are using our laptops, he slams the laptop lid closed.
If we are reading a book, he slams the book shut.
Then he grabs us by the arm and pulls us to where he wants us to go, depending on what he wants.
I can’t imagine how annoying it would be if all of our cats knew how to do the same thing.
Comment by bcompton — 10/18/2005 @ 1:49 pm
Yes! I guess animals and humans share the attention needing gene.
I guess there is a time nonverbal communication comes in handy for pets and children- although we probably already know what kids/pets are trying to tell us, they just find ways of making point crystal clear.
Comment by josiah — 10/18/2005 @ 11:02 pm