Mar 15, 2023

Don´t Read Anything Else - 10 Must-Read Cat Training Books

They say it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills. Well, these 10 books took about 200 hours to read and I would say they teach everything one needs to know to train their cats, go on an adventure with them, and most importantly, keep them happy.

This means that the other 9,800 hours until mastery should be spent practicing.

I'm going to try to save you 200 hours of reading because I´ve summarized the main takeaways I got from these books and added all my personal knowledge to teach you how to teach your cat the best tricks in only 3 steps in a fun-packed card game, The Click Crusade!

If you would like to get to the source, below you´ll find summarized my favorite training books and if you decide to buy any of them, just click on the image of any particular book, I'll be adding links so that you can find them on Amazon.com, where I got them.

Let's start with this Cat Books Ranking:

1. "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor

This book is often considered the bible of clicker training. Pryor shares her experiences and insights on the use of operant conditioning to train a wide range of animals, including cats. The book provides a solid foundation on the principles of clicker training, and it's an excellent starting point for anyone new to this training technique.

Positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment in changing behavior.
Training should be fun and engaging for both the animal and the trainer.
Operant conditioning is a powerful tool for shaping behavior.

2. "Cat Clicker Training: A Comprehensive Guide" by Karen Pryor

This book is a more in-depth version of Pryor's "Clicker Training for Cats" and provides a detailed guide to training cats using the clicker. The book covers various training scenarios, including teaching cats to walk on a leash, perform tricks, and modify problem behaviors.

Some of the key takeaways from this book are:

Clicker training can be used to teach cats a wide range of behaviors, including complex tricks.
Positive reinforcement and shaping are powerful tools for behavior modification.
Consistency and patience are essential for successful training.

3. "The Trainable Cat" by John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis

This book provides a comprehensive guide to training cats using positive reinforcement techniques. The book covers a wide range of behaviors, including litter box training, basic obedience, and addressing problem behaviors like spraying and aggression.

Understanding feline behavior is crucial for successful training.
Positive reinforcement can be used to address many behavior problems.
Consistency and patience are key to successful training.

4. "The Power of Positive Cat Training" by Jackson Galaxy

This book focuses on training cats using positive reinforcement techniques. Galaxy, a renowned cat behaviorist, shares his insights on understanding feline behavior and using clicker training to address various issues, such as litter box problems, scratching, and aggression.

Positive reinforcement can be used to address a wide range of behavior issues.
Understanding feline behavior is essential to effective training.
Training should be tailored to the individual cat's personality and preferences.

5. "The Click That Teaches: A Step-By-Step Guide in Pictures" by Alexandra Kurland

This book is a visual guide to clicker training and covers various behaviors, including basic obedience, trick training, and problem behavior modification. The book provides step-by-step instructions and visual aids to help you train your cat effectively.

Clicker training is a visual and hands-on process.
Breaking behaviors down into small steps makes them easier to teach.
Patience and persistence are key to successful training.

6. Think Like a Cat

Think like a cat offers insight into the feline mind and behavior. It provides practical advice for solving common cat behavior problems and emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cats' instincts and needs.

Understanding cat behavior is key to resolving behavior problems.
Provide cats with plenty of opportunities for play and exercise.
Create an enriched environment that meets cats' physical and emotional needs.

7. Understanding Cat Behavior

Dig into the natural history of cats and their evolution into domesticated pets. It provides insight into cat behavior and communication and offers advice for understanding and resolving common cat behavior problems.

Understanding cat behavior is crucial for a happy, healthy relationship with your cat.
Addressing unwanted behavior requires understanding and addressing the root cause.
Positive reinforcement and environmental enrichment can help modify unwanted behavior.

8."Total Cat Mojo" by Jackson Galaxy

Total Cat Mojo offers insight into cat behavior and communication. It provides practical advice for improving the bond between cats and their owners and emphasizes the importance of meeting cats' physical and emotional needs for a happy, healthy relationship.

Understanding cat behavior and communication is crucial for building a strong bond.
Providing cats with a stimulating, enriched environment is essential for their well-being.
Positive reinforcement and play can help improve the relationship between cats and their owners.

9. "Cat Training in 10 Minutes" by Miriam Fields-Babineau

This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking for a quick and easy guide to clicker training their cat. The book covers essential training concepts, including positive reinforcement, shaping, and targeting, and provides practical advice for training specific behaviors.

Positive reinforcement is key to effective training.
Keep training sessions short and frequent for best results.
Targeting and shaping can be used to teach a wide range of behaviors.

10. "The Cat Whisperer" by Mieshelle Nagelschneider

This book focuses on addressing problem behaviors in cats, such as aggression, litter box problems, and destructive behavior. The book provides practical advice on understanding feline behavior and using positive reinforcement techniques to modify unwanted behavior.

Understanding feline behavior is essential to address problem behaviors.
Positive reinforcement and environmental enrichment can help modify unwanted behavior.
Training should be tailored to the individual cat's personality and preferences.

11. Decoding Your Cat

This book provides insight into cat behavior and communication. It offers advice for addressing common cat behavior problems and emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting cats' physical and emotional needs.

Understanding cat behavior and communication is key to addressing behavior problems.
Addressing the root cause of unwanted behavior is essential for success.
Meeting cats' physical and emotional needs is crucial for their well-being and happiness.

12. "Clicker Training for Clever Cats" by Martina Braun

This book is an excellent resource for teaching cats tricks and basic obedience using the clicker. The book covers a wide range of behaviors, from simple tricks like sitting and coming when called to more advanced behaviors like retrieving objects and walking on a leash.

Clicker training can be used to teach cats a variety of tricks and obedience behaviors.
Break behaviors down into small steps for easier training.
Clicker training can help build trust and improve the bond between cats and their owners.

13. "Cat Behavior and Training: Veterinary Advice for Owners" by Dr. Karen L. Overall

This book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding feline behavior and training cats using positive reinforcement techniques. The book covers various behaviors, including basic obedience, problem behavior modification, and training for medical procedures like taking medication and visiting the vet.

Positive reinforcement and counterconditioning can be used to address behavior problems.
Understanding feline behavior is crucial for successful training.
Training should be tailored to the individual cat's personality and preferences.

I hope you found value in this article!

Stay Wild, Stay Safe... I'll see you Outdoors!

Albert & Mia