Behaviors You Can Train Using the Luring Method
Choose from among these behaviors when creating and submitting to The JGP your photos and video that show your proof of mastery of the Luring Method.
Coming When Called
Coming When Called (aka a “recall”) is a behavior that is defined by the cat turning toward and approaching the human. Most commonly, this behavior is complete once the cat has come within inches of the human who is calling her. It could even end by the cat jumping into a waiting human lap for positive attention!
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While holding the lure, move the lure toward you. If you are in a room where the cat can follow you, you can even back up a few steps to encourage your cat to approach you. Keep the lure as close to you as you want the cat to approach.
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When your cat approaches you within a few inches as a result of visually following the lure, click then reinforce.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is moving your hand (palm open and facing toward you) by bending your elbow. Go from an outstretched, straight arm to 90∘ bend in your elbow while moving your palm toward your belly button.
Eye Contact
“Eye Contact” is a behavior that is defined by the cat looking at the trainer and making direct eye contact. In contrast to a stare, both human and cat should be looking at one another with soft eyes. You may even observe slow blinking from the cat, which is a positive sign.
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While holding the lure, move it up to the location at the top of the bridge of your nose, located between your eyes.
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When your cat makes eye contact as a result of visually following the lure, click then reinforce.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is touching your nose or pointing toward your eyes.
High-Five, High-Ten or Wave
“High-Five” is a behavior that is defined by the cat placing a paw against a human hand.
“High-Ten” is a variation of this behavior that requires the cat to place both paws against human hands.
“Wave” is yet another version where the cat does not make contact with their paw, but rather repeatedly “waves” their paw up and down.
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Hold the lure in between your thumb and open palm. When your cat uses his paw to reach out to touch your palm, move your hand up so your palm is facing the cat.
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For Give Me Ten: You can move one or both hands toward the cat and slightly upward to encourage the cat to put both paws on your hands. This behavior will require the cat to balance on their back legs/hips.
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For Wave: As the cat reaches a paw toward the lure, move the lure up and down repeatedly just outside of the cat’s reach.
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When the cat follows the lure by moving his paw and then makes contact with your hand, click then reinforce.
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For Give Me Ten: Click then reinforce as soon as both paws make contact with your hand.
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For Wave: Click then reinforce after your cat moves his paw up and down at least once.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is placing your open palm facing the cat (fingers pointing upward) at about the cat’s shoulder level.
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For Give Me Ten: A common visual cue is placing both hands, open palms facing the cat (fingers pointing upward) at about the cat’s shoulder level.
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For Wave: A common visual cue is moving your hand up and down, palm facing down. Alternatively, you can repeatedly bend all fingers where your fingers join your hand.
Nose Bump or Head Bump
“Nose (or Head) Bump” is a behavior that is defined by the cat using his nose or forehead to touch an object.
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Hold the lure in your hand. Move the lure toward the object you want the cat to touch, eventually placing the lure (still in your hand) directly on the object.
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When the cat follows the lure, using his nose or head to touch the object, click then reinforce.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is pointing to the object you would like the cat to touch. A common verbal cue for this behavior is saying “touch” while pointing at the object.
Sit
“Sit” is a behavior that is defined by the cat bending her back legs and resting her hips on the floor while her front legs remain extended.
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While holding the lure, move it just above the cat’s head and back toward her ears. The cat should tip her head up to follow the lure. If you are holding the lure at the right distance, she will start to bend her back legs to follow the lure. This will result in a “sit” position.
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As soon as your cat completes the “sit” position, click then reinforce.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is moving your hand (palm open and facing upward) from about the cat’s chest level to above their head.
Jump Over an Object or Through a Hoop
“Jump” over an object or through a hoop is a behavior defined by the cat jumping from one side of an object (over or through) to the other side of the same object. Initially it may be easier to place the object directly on the floor, allowing the cat to walk over/through the object. As the cat gains confidence, you can begin slowly to move the object off of the floor requiring the cat to jump over/through the object.
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Hold the lure in your hand. Place your hand in front of the cat, moving it over/through the object.
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When the cat follows the lure by jumping over/through the object, click then reinforce.
You can choose to put this behavior on cue. A common visual cue for this behavior is moving your finger from the “start” to the “finish.”
