Cat Carrier Training

Cat Carrier Training

by Ellen Daly

1. Get a cat.

2. Choose carrier - I started with a hard carrier and later bought a soft carrier.  Both worked for me.

3. Introduce clicker training - I find it helpful to start with very motivating treats in the beginning.  I used her very favorite--cheese.  It is not really good for cats, but it is a very high-value treat.

4. Introduce carrier - Set it in the play area to make it part of the games and landscape.

5. Then just click and treat.

   - Place treat near carrier.

   - Click and praise.

   - Gradually move the treats in the carrier

   - Take your time; cats move at their own pace.

6. Gently close flap/door.

   - You might have to push your cat in at first.  He/she may back out, and let them in the beginning.  You don't want your cat to feel trapped.

   - Eventually, close the door/flap for real, but be prepared to open it enough to give your cat treats.

7. Zip up/close for just a very short time.  Slip in more treats, and dive a lot of pets and vocal praise.

8. Slowly increase the time your cat is closed in the carrier.  You can switch to more cat-friendly treats mixed in with high-value treats

Time to Travel

1. Lift up, set down and treat

   - Watch your cat looks comfortable being lifted.  If your cat looks stressed, slow down.  If your cat seems all right, you can go faster.

   - At this point, you might try putting treats in the carrier for your cat to just go in and eat.  I used the carrier as part of our play time.  Toys and treats get thrown into it all the time.  She has learned to follow my hand movement into the carrier and goes in to get a treat.

2. Traveling

   - Once your cat is okay with being lifted, it is time to travel.  My cat's carrier is in the basement, so I zip her in, bring her upstairs and carrier her around the house  I slip treats in as we go.  If you use a clicker, you can click/treat her.

   - I let her out of the carrier, load her back in and carry her some more

   - I have taken her outside in the carrier, and eventually, I'm going to try car rides.

   - She loves going in her carrier, and she no longer needs treats--I just talk to her and give her lots of praise.