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A smiling older man in a brown cardigan holds the raised paw of a grey Sphynx cat standing on a woven living room rug. 11 / 29

Everyone Told Grandpa Cats Can't Learn Tricks. His Sphynx Had Been Practicing.

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Down on the woven rug in a lived-in living room, Clarence is holding class. He kneels in a brown cardigan and green tee, glasses perched on his nose, with a broad, proud grin as Moonpie lifts one front paw and sets it right into his open hand. The grey Sphynx stands up on her back legs to reach, ears perked and eyes locked on his face. Around them are the comforts of home: a cushioned sofa, a stack of books and reading glasses, balls of yarn in a basket and a cup of coffee left cooling on the floor.

Plenty of people assume cats cannot be trained, but many cats learn simple tricks surprisingly well with the right approach. Short, positive sessions work best, usually just a few minutes at a time, with small treats or praise the instant the cat does the right thing. Clicker training is popular because it marks the exact moment of success. A shake or high five often starts by rewarding the cat for lifting a paw toward your hand, then gradually adding a cue word. Training also doubles as mental exercise, which can help curb boredom in smart, social breeds like the Sphynx. Keep it fun, stop before your cat loses interest, and never scold for mistakes.

Judging by Clarence's smile, Moonpie just aced today's lesson, and there is probably a well-earned treat on its way.

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