Clicker Training - By George I think she's got it!

Great news - I got Vante to follow me around the house as I was clicking and giving her treats.  I would walk 5-15 feet away, click, put down a treat and she ran over (EVERY TIME).  The thing that really give me hope is that on the last click, Tucker started to paw at his door, she turned her head towards him, then ran over to the treat.  Now that's progress.

Today, by necessity I ran across this little gem - I put them within eyesight of each other and click and give them both a treat.  I did this twice and am going to remain optimistic and continue this line of good things happening in each other's presence.

YEAH!

Ginger

I know this is Vante's blog but I wanted to share this important household event. My sister-in-law's dog, Ginger, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Tuesday evening. She's in a much better place and is finally out of pain. Many thanks to our compassionate vet and the staff of Creature Comforts. She is greatly missed. 

Clicker training is going well enough. I'm doing it with all four cats, but as for Vante, I can't do too much training and give her too many treats because of her special diet. So I'm working with what I've got and hope that in a few days if she hears the clicker, that she'll turn her head. Right now she still ignores it.

But patience... I must be like a tortise.

Let the Clicker Training Begin!

I bought two training clickers from PetSmart this morning and we're going to do some association exercises this afternoon.  That means that I will get Vante to associate the click with something good - like treats or brushing (which might be a bigger motivator for her than food).

I'm following a handout from the Dumb Friends League, who gave me lots of advise and information about 1-2 months ago, but I was too (I'll be honest and say it) lazy to follow until now.  Here is the jist of what I'll be doing: I click, I give her a treat (or brush her). I click, I give her a treat. I do this 5 times, in different postures, areas and such to mix-it-up but let her know that the click means good things. Then to figure out if it worked, when she's looking away I click and if she looks at me, then it is working, if she ignores me, then I need to keep it up. I'll do this for at least a week to ensure it's 2nd nature for her before I move on to the next step, Shaping.

Don't worry, I'll keep the blog updated with her training - it should provide for an interesting couple of weeks-to-months.  In the meantime, here is a photo of her three new shelves - I took my inspiration from all the shelves Best Friends has.  She loves them!

Vante-1 Mouse-0

I woke up this morning to find a dead mouse in Vante's water.  She may be 15 years old but she's still a frisky little kitty. 

Boxing

This morning Vante decided to climb into this box, rearrange the newspapers and look a little menacing... like she was going to jump out and 'attack' my husband.  Alas, there was no attacking (I could have used a good laugh).  She enjoyed herself though.

Miss V is up to her usual tricks, napping, eating and telling the other cats that she's in charge.  For the most part they listen but little 2-year-old Tucker just has to be close to her and follow her.  Nobody has been hurt though, so don't worry about either of them.  They're both tough cookies.  There is lots of growling and if looks could kill... but there has not been a physical fight between the two of them.  (All talk.)

I adore Vante.  On a different note, sorry it's been so long since I posted.  I'm working for a month at Nellis and just had two finals and a clinical exam.  I finished my 4th and 5th class to be a Vet Tech and so far so good--straight As and I'm enjoying it. 

VANTE DAY!

Today, July 17th, is Vante Day!

Vante Day is the day when Vante left Best Friends and came home to live with me.  So Vante has been with me and my family for a year now and man... does time fly!

To celebrate Vante Day we have already played and chased lasers several times she's gotten lots of scratches and pets.  We took a nap together.  Currently she is napping but we have a full afternoon and evening planned for her to roam the house, nap wherever she wants and lock up the other cats.  This is her day and the house is hers. 

Vante adores cantip, especially those catnip bananas and cigars.  They say on the label that it's the most potent catnip in the world, well I believe it because all our cats just adore their products. 

Happy Independence Day!

Vante and I hope you and your pet families had a great (and safe) 4th of July celebration!

 

"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance."

-Andrew Jackson