Browse ›
An elderly man in an argyle sweater vest sits on a patterned rug holding the white front paw of a tuxedo cat. 4 / 22

Everyone Told Grandpa Ken Cats Can't Learn Tricks. Domino Heard That.

AI imagetuxedo catcat tricksliving room

Lesson one is going remarkably well. Grandpa Ken sits cross-legged on the faded patterned rug in his argyle sweater vest, gently holding one of Domino's white front paws between his fingers. Domino sits tall with his chest puffed out, his yellow-green eyes looking straight ahead as if he has done this a hundred times. A toy mouse lies abandoned on the rug nearby, a plant sits by the wall, and a throw blanket is piled on the couch behind them. Ken's grin says this is the proudest moment of the afternoon.

Plenty of people assume cats can't learn tricks, but many cats pick up simple behaviors like sit, high five, or shake. The secret is short sessions and very small, tasty rewards. Cats usually respond best to a few minutes of practice when they are a little hungry and alert, rather than long drills. A common approach is to gently touch the paw, reward the moment it lifts, and gradually add a word or hand signal. Some owners use a clicker to mark the exact moment the cat does the right thing. Training also doubles as enrichment, giving indoor cats something new to think about, and it's a calm, seated activity that suits owners of any age. If your cat walks away, that's a fine place to end.

Domino may decide tomorrow that shaking hands is beneath him. For today, though, the deal is sealed with a paw.

More from this collection

All 22 →
An elderly man in a brown argyle vest paints at a wooden easel in a backyard while a tuxedo cat lies in the grass in front.Grandpa Ken Set Up His Easel to Paint the Garden. Domino Had Notes.An elderly man in a cream cable-knit vest tucks a cream knit blanket around a tuxedo cat lying in a gray pet bed.Domino Has a Bedtime Routine, and Grandpa Ken Follows It Exactly
An elderly man in a gray cable-knit vest sits in a wooden rocking chair with a sleeping tuxedo cat curled on his lap.Grandpa Ken Stopped Rocking His Chair. There Was a Very Good Reason.An elderly man in a tan sweater whittles a small piece of wood on a porch as curled shavings pile up beside a tuxedo cat.Grandpa Ken Thought Domino Was Watching Him Carve. Not Quite.An elderly man in an olive sweater sits on a covered porch beside a tuxedo cat perched on the railing as rain falls outside.The Rain Canceled Grandpa Ken's Plans. Domino Didn't Mind One Bit.An elderly man in a beige vest smiles at a tuxedo cat sitting on a lace-covered table beside tea and two round cookies.Grandpa Ken Set Out Two Cookies for Tea. Domino Counted Them Too.