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An elderly man holds the paw of a seal point Birman sitting on a patterned rug in a lamp-lit living room. 29 / 32

Otis Taught Mocha to Shake Paws. She Took the Lesson Seriously.

AI imagebirmanshake pawsliving room

The lamp is glowing and the living room rug is patterned in rust and navy, and in the middle of it Otis sits on the floor with his knees bent and a patient look on his face. He wears a green-brown cardigan, and he holds Mocha's raised paw gently in his fingers like a very formal handshake. Mocha sits upright in front of him, her cream chest puffed, her ears turned to the sides, and her blue eyes watching his face. Framed pictures line a shelf behind them, and a basket of blankets sits near the sofa. The whole room has a quiet, hushed feel, like a classroom for two.

Cats can learn simple tricks just as dogs do, and short sessions with small rewards work best. Many cats respond to a gentle cue and a tiny treat, and shaking paws is an easy first lesson because they naturally lift a paw to touch things. Keep each session to a few minutes, stop before she loses interest, and never force her paw. Some cats enjoy the mental exercise a great deal, and training builds trust between a cat and her person. Choose a treat that is small and meant for cats, and keep the total in check so it does not replace her regular meals.

Mocha has the posture of a student who knows she is doing well. Otis, for his part, holds the paw as if it were the most important handshake of his week.

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