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DyneDenethor OP t1_j6i5kys wrote

Reply to comment by BeanlitPuffaluff in Silly Hats: Unicorns! by DyneDenethor

Start small. Buy a specific bag of treats, and a simple headband. Hats that cover their ears are a lot harder.

Pick a photo spot, use the same spot all the time.

Praise them for trying, and only give those treats when trying hats, success of fail.

If they get bored/walk away, don’t force them, keep us pawisitive. Multiple smaller sessions is better than everyone getting frustrated. Don’t let your own frustration/disappointment show.

The goal is to build/reinforce muscle memory. To use smells, positions, etc, to help them remember how it works, and that it’s safe and fun.

And a camera trick is to hold your phone upside-down, it helps if they don’t want to look up.

We use different treats/spots for all of our activities, be it training, nail clipping, brushings, ear cleanings. Takes me less than 10 minutes to do 5 cats nails. Muscle memory is key.

Bonus: Silly Hat Cat Setup

https://imgur.com/gallery/tFwMlVp

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BeanlitPuffaluff t1_j6ib9lw wrote

I will definitely start trying to gently train my kitties. My black cat will probably never work with me but my orange tabby would. He is very food motivated.

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DyneDenethor OP t1_j6ichay wrote

Even just little stuff, like sitting, coming when called can be a good start.

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BeanlitPuffaluff t1_j6jvt2q wrote

I have one cat that is very food motivated. I think I'll start with him. Maybe my other cat will get jealous and join.

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DyneDenethor OP t1_j6kbzgf wrote

That’s how the cats joined in.

We started because the Pitt/mix needed to wear some items of clothing (long story, she was this way before I adopted her).

When my significant other and I bought our house, the dogs and cats mixed, the the orange cat (snarf) saw the doing doing hats, he tried doing the tricks I was teaching him, to get treats too.

So we tried the hats, and over the course of a few months, all of the cats were joining in.

Now I bring out the ring light and a hat, and I have a full house at the bottom of the stairs.

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