Category: Critters Other Than Dogs ¤
  Author: Christine Babiarz ¤
   Title: A Clicker Trained Cat in a Play ¤

 This is a dual post so I'll apologize in advance for anyone who has to see
 it twice ! :-}  Anyway, my cat Stu E., who is clicker trained, had his
 dress rehearsal last night in a play he is in for 3 weekends.  I was so
 impressed by his acting ability, his comedic timing, and his ad libbing,
 and attribute it all to the clicker.
 
 He is in a monologue with a woman who is so desperate to get a part in a
 play that she threatens to bash her cats head in with a hammer.  He must
 walk out on stage on a leash, hang out, beg for his life, then be carried
 off when the house lights dim.  Last night when we got there he was a
 little nervous, so I c/t'd him just for being there, and his natural
 gregariousness took over.  He still didn't want to walk on the stage and
 kept trying to get in the wings, so I pulled out his target stick and
c/t'd
 him for touches, then follows, then following the woman he appears with,
 then faded the target stick.  The people in the play were amazed and kept
 going "I didn't know you could train a cat!".
 
 When he finally had his turn on stage for the monologue, he walked out on
 stage well, laid down at her side, made some facial expressions right into
 the audience that corresponded beautifully with the monologue with I
 clicked, then instead of putting a paw up when she threatens to bash him
 over the head with a hammer, he rolled completely over on his back and put
 all four feet into the air.  c/Jackpot!!!!!  The big jackpot for him was
 really people's laughter.  I was so very very proud of him and what we
have
 been able to accomplish with the clicker.
 
 His confidence came right back when he heard clicks and saw his target
 stick, and he then proceeded to have a really good time.  Now, just to get
 him comfortable with thunderous applause and encores......
 
 Chris
 
 
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 Christine Babiarz, B.S.W.
 Animal Answers! Behavior and Training
 Ft. Collins and Loveland, CO
 970-493-3776 / trainer@verinet.com
 Positively Effective! 
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