phryne retrieves keys on keyring

Here is Phryne's formal retrieve, finally worth videoing! Only took hmmm 8 months lol. I let it be for a while and now because its winter, decided to try harder.

Some tips... once you get a good pick up - distance. Micro distance! See my big Mat? I used the little squares first and then the big squares. Actually still am using this.

Did I mention she also loves Go To Mat? Maybe this has helped things along.

What else?
-feed for position
-position of the keys. Initially obviously, just where you want the hand. After that, I think I did head turn - you can see it is sort of unnaturally trained, she wrenches her head around.
-the paw. She has a rogue paw trained now as well at times. Pick up keys, wave paw. Its mild. haha
-timing - mouth clicks is the only way that I could do this
-on timing, I would always aim to click before the drop. Sounds obvious, but when you are trying to extend duration, man, this is super hard. I use my super fast counting method. Micro counting. Instead of seconds, you just count really fast. 1, 12, 123, 1234, 1 etc about 4 beats per second.
-metal keyring? Don't know, I like the challenge of metal. I started Phryne early chowing on metal, so she takes it in her stride.

Anyway, I am pretty happy with the behaviour, even if it isn't amazingly spectacular. It will be to some people... it is to me!

Thanks for watching & if you read this far, good luck with your training :)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• clicker
• cat
• training
• formal
• retrieve
• fetch

[MultiAnimalcrackers]

Excellent. i have got Izzy my cat to pick up a mouse but havent been able to get her to walk forward with it to me!! hve left this training for a while, will go back to it when i think about it more:)

[linzhenlong]

@MultiAnimalcrackers lol i want phryne to have a real mouse friend, but afraid she will nom it. I had a look at your channel, great dogs... I so want a dog!

[hsinyicohen]

Oh! That is so cool!! Well done! It's really difficult to motivate and train cats so you've done a great job!

[CourteousCats]

great job!