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An elderly couple in matching cream sweaters bend over a white Persian cat who lifts a paw into the man's hand on a rug. 2 / 34

Everyone Told Them Cats Can't Learn Tricks. Edna and Frank Kept Trying Anyway.

AI imagepersian catcat tricksliving room

It turns out cats can shake, at least when they feel like it. Frank is bent over on the living room rug, gently holding Duchess's raised white paw, and he is beaming like he just won the lottery. Edna leans in from the other side with her hands clasped, laughing, her silver hair pinned up in a bun. Both of them are wearing their matching cream cable-knit sweaters. Duchess sits tall in a cloud of white fur, paw extended, her copper eyes half closed with an air of great patience. Tea cups and a basket of yarn rest on the low table nearby.

Many people assume cats cannot be trained, but cats can learn simple cues with patience and the right motivation. The key is positive reinforcement: tiny, tasty rewards given right away when the cat does what you want. Short sessions of just a few minutes work best, since cats lose interest quickly, and it helps to train when they are a little hungry and alert. Never force a paw up or scold a cat during training. Persians are generally gentle and laid-back, so they may learn more slowly than some breeds, but they often enjoy the attention and treats that come with it.

Whether Duchess fully understands the trick or simply decided to humor her humans, the result is the same. Two proud grandparents and one very fluffy cat, all shaking on a good afternoon.

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