How could our ancestors have domesticated a solitary predator?












6












$begingroup$


It is a well known fact throughout human history that cats are bloodthirsty psychopaths, and a menace to society. Cats murder billions of innocent rodents a year, cause ecological disasters, and give their owners fatal diseases. Caesar, Temujin, and even Hitler recognized the power that cats wield over humans, and rightly feared them. Yet despite the evidence, we have still allowed ourselves to be domesticated by them. They manipulate us into giving them food and board without offering anything in return but contempt, creating a secret empire right under our noses.



In this world, I have opted to change our fate by restoring power to humans and deposing our free loading enslavers. Wolves and their canine brethren have been exterminated due to a plague that wiped out a significant number of species. Our ancestors have chosen to breed cats for specific traits over thousands of years, conditioning them to be loyal to us. As a result, they have become bigger, stronger, and dutiful, taking the role that dogs would have had if they were present.



There is a fatal flaw in this plan. Dogs descend from wolves, which were pack hunters. They are led by an alpha male who controls destiny and access to food, making them suitable for cooperation with humans. Cats, by contrast, are solitary hunters, making them less dependent on our patronage. These homicidal monsters are not motivated by treats and are much difficult to train to be obedient to their masters.



What I need to do is make cats as a species to be more subservient to our will, and have that translate into present day. How can I make this work?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
    $endgroup$
    – Joe Bloggs
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
    $endgroup$
    – Pelinore
    3 hours ago








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    [1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
    $endgroup$
    – Giu Piete
    3 hours ago


















6












$begingroup$


It is a well known fact throughout human history that cats are bloodthirsty psychopaths, and a menace to society. Cats murder billions of innocent rodents a year, cause ecological disasters, and give their owners fatal diseases. Caesar, Temujin, and even Hitler recognized the power that cats wield over humans, and rightly feared them. Yet despite the evidence, we have still allowed ourselves to be domesticated by them. They manipulate us into giving them food and board without offering anything in return but contempt, creating a secret empire right under our noses.



In this world, I have opted to change our fate by restoring power to humans and deposing our free loading enslavers. Wolves and their canine brethren have been exterminated due to a plague that wiped out a significant number of species. Our ancestors have chosen to breed cats for specific traits over thousands of years, conditioning them to be loyal to us. As a result, they have become bigger, stronger, and dutiful, taking the role that dogs would have had if they were present.



There is a fatal flaw in this plan. Dogs descend from wolves, which were pack hunters. They are led by an alpha male who controls destiny and access to food, making them suitable for cooperation with humans. Cats, by contrast, are solitary hunters, making them less dependent on our patronage. These homicidal monsters are not motivated by treats and are much difficult to train to be obedient to their masters.



What I need to do is make cats as a species to be more subservient to our will, and have that translate into present day. How can I make this work?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
    $endgroup$
    – Joe Bloggs
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
    $endgroup$
    – Pelinore
    3 hours ago








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    [1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
    $endgroup$
    – Giu Piete
    3 hours ago
















6












6








6





$begingroup$


It is a well known fact throughout human history that cats are bloodthirsty psychopaths, and a menace to society. Cats murder billions of innocent rodents a year, cause ecological disasters, and give their owners fatal diseases. Caesar, Temujin, and even Hitler recognized the power that cats wield over humans, and rightly feared them. Yet despite the evidence, we have still allowed ourselves to be domesticated by them. They manipulate us into giving them food and board without offering anything in return but contempt, creating a secret empire right under our noses.



In this world, I have opted to change our fate by restoring power to humans and deposing our free loading enslavers. Wolves and their canine brethren have been exterminated due to a plague that wiped out a significant number of species. Our ancestors have chosen to breed cats for specific traits over thousands of years, conditioning them to be loyal to us. As a result, they have become bigger, stronger, and dutiful, taking the role that dogs would have had if they were present.



There is a fatal flaw in this plan. Dogs descend from wolves, which were pack hunters. They are led by an alpha male who controls destiny and access to food, making them suitable for cooperation with humans. Cats, by contrast, are solitary hunters, making them less dependent on our patronage. These homicidal monsters are not motivated by treats and are much difficult to train to be obedient to their masters.



What I need to do is make cats as a species to be more subservient to our will, and have that translate into present day. How can I make this work?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




It is a well known fact throughout human history that cats are bloodthirsty psychopaths, and a menace to society. Cats murder billions of innocent rodents a year, cause ecological disasters, and give their owners fatal diseases. Caesar, Temujin, and even Hitler recognized the power that cats wield over humans, and rightly feared them. Yet despite the evidence, we have still allowed ourselves to be domesticated by them. They manipulate us into giving them food and board without offering anything in return but contempt, creating a secret empire right under our noses.



In this world, I have opted to change our fate by restoring power to humans and deposing our free loading enslavers. Wolves and their canine brethren have been exterminated due to a plague that wiped out a significant number of species. Our ancestors have chosen to breed cats for specific traits over thousands of years, conditioning them to be loyal to us. As a result, they have become bigger, stronger, and dutiful, taking the role that dogs would have had if they were present.



There is a fatal flaw in this plan. Dogs descend from wolves, which were pack hunters. They are led by an alpha male who controls destiny and access to food, making them suitable for cooperation with humans. Cats, by contrast, are solitary hunters, making them less dependent on our patronage. These homicidal monsters are not motivated by treats and are much difficult to train to be obedient to their masters.



What I need to do is make cats as a species to be more subservient to our will, and have that translate into present day. How can I make this work?







domestication species






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago









Arkenstein XII

3,078833




3,078833










asked 4 hours ago









IncognitoIncognito

7,215763103




7,215763103








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
    $endgroup$
    – Joe Bloggs
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
    $endgroup$
    – Pelinore
    3 hours ago








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    [1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
    $endgroup$
    – Giu Piete
    3 hours ago
















  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
    $endgroup$
    – Joe Bloggs
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
    $endgroup$
    – Pelinore
    3 hours ago








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    [1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
    $endgroup$
    – Aaron
    3 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
    $endgroup$
    – Giu Piete
    3 hours ago










2




2




$begingroup$
Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
$endgroup$
– Joe Bloggs
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Do you mind if you only get female cats ‘under the thumb’?
$endgroup$
– Joe Bloggs
4 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
3 hours ago






$begingroup$
Protest too much? Do I detect someone who's currently feeling put out because their cat is giving them the cold shoulder at the moment? try some kitty treats, that usually brings them around.
$endgroup$
– Pelinore
3 hours ago






2




2




$begingroup$
Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
3 hours ago




$begingroup$
Your first paragraph does not describe all cats. It describes only Murder Cats[1]. Only 1 in 3 cats is a Murder Cat. Also, they give us more than just contempt; they also give us poop... which they expect us to scoop for them. I also find fault with your stereotypical "cats are bad and dogs are good" nonsense. Even though there is no "Murder Dogs" comic, dogs are violent too. And I have yet to see a dog more dutiful than a cat; they are about the same. The main difference is that dogs give us things when asked from obedience (eg: duck hunt) and cats give us gifts (eg: dead mouse) out of pity.
$endgroup$
– Aaron
3 hours ago




1




1




$begingroup$
[1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
$endgroup$
– Aaron
3 hours ago




$begingroup$
[1] theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
$endgroup$
– Aaron
3 hours ago












$begingroup$
first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
$endgroup$
– Giu Piete
3 hours ago






$begingroup$
first step would seem to be using your ancient plague that wiped out wolves, to also wipe out all of a cats easy prey(or competitors, either works). (that ofc doesn't need to be in one step,) the decline of competitors for cat food would increase cat population which would probably wipe out other species on which cats depend. if the disease is early enough to wipe out all canines (before separation) that's going to have very large consequences for animal populations over the intervening period. Cats may have become more social as a product of the higher population,
$endgroup$
– Giu Piete
3 hours ago












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















5












$begingroup$

It's a bit of a side-step of the question, but there's no reason we need to domesticate solitary cats if all our dogs and wolves are dead. There are plenty of social cats who could be bent to our will.



Lions are one option, but probably a bad one as they're so big. I'd posit that hyenas are the next best option. They're highly social endurance-predating feliforms and fill very similar niches to wolves in their environments.



They're even already well on their way to domestication in places like Harar.



Tame hyena






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    4












    $begingroup$

    Breed them for small, minimally functional brains.



    We are already doing this, and it turns out great, mostly. Brachiocephalic cats are prized pets because they are super sweet and docile and they sneeze a lot. This docility is in part because their brains are squashed and small, and missing some bits. The sneezing is probably because they barely have noses.



    https://www.improveinternational.com/us/brachycephaly-ventricular-dilation-and-skull-malformations-in-persian-cats/




    The results confirmed a correlation between high grades of
    brachycephaly with facial, dental and neurocranial abnormalities in
    Persian cats. These malformations were also linked to a reduced
    cranial capacity and internal hydrocephalus which can be clinically
    significant and cause a negative impact on animal welfare.




    brachiocephalic cats



    http://messybeast.com/brachycephaly.htm



    Maybe an impact on animal welfare if you expect the cat to hunt pigeons in the wild; it might struggle to figure out what it was supposed to do. But for a companion animal it is fine and if you explicity want the animal not to be a solitary predator it is great. The physical issues that go along with the brachycephaly breeding program also work fine with the non-predator kibblivorous human companion plan.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$





















      3












      $begingroup$

      It's already been done, many times. All you have to do is search for 'cat circus' on Youtube.



      Here is an example: https://youtu.be/8e0z3-iZ_TY?t=60



      enter image description here



      I personally trained my cat to high-five in an afternoon - they learn quickly. Here is an old video showing the method https://youtu.be/q787R2DNDJI?t=35



      You can search Youtube for 'cat clicker training'.





      An anecdote



      I was training my dog to jump on a chair and sit in return for a treat. The cat had been watching with great interest. A the end of the (short) session the cat jumped on the chair, sat, and looked at me expectantly. I gave him a treat! It was at that point I understood the expression, "copycat".






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$









      • 1




        $begingroup$
        "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
        $endgroup$
        – Pelinore
        3 hours ago










      • $begingroup$
        @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
        $endgroup$
        – chasly from UK
        3 hours ago











      Your Answer





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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      5












      $begingroup$

      It's a bit of a side-step of the question, but there's no reason we need to domesticate solitary cats if all our dogs and wolves are dead. There are plenty of social cats who could be bent to our will.



      Lions are one option, but probably a bad one as they're so big. I'd posit that hyenas are the next best option. They're highly social endurance-predating feliforms and fill very similar niches to wolves in their environments.



      They're even already well on their way to domestication in places like Harar.



      Tame hyena






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$


















        5












        $begingroup$

        It's a bit of a side-step of the question, but there's no reason we need to domesticate solitary cats if all our dogs and wolves are dead. There are plenty of social cats who could be bent to our will.



        Lions are one option, but probably a bad one as they're so big. I'd posit that hyenas are the next best option. They're highly social endurance-predating feliforms and fill very similar niches to wolves in their environments.



        They're even already well on their way to domestication in places like Harar.



        Tame hyena






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$
















          5












          5








          5





          $begingroup$

          It's a bit of a side-step of the question, but there's no reason we need to domesticate solitary cats if all our dogs and wolves are dead. There are plenty of social cats who could be bent to our will.



          Lions are one option, but probably a bad one as they're so big. I'd posit that hyenas are the next best option. They're highly social endurance-predating feliforms and fill very similar niches to wolves in their environments.



          They're even already well on their way to domestication in places like Harar.



          Tame hyena






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          It's a bit of a side-step of the question, but there's no reason we need to domesticate solitary cats if all our dogs and wolves are dead. There are plenty of social cats who could be bent to our will.



          Lions are one option, but probably a bad one as they're so big. I'd posit that hyenas are the next best option. They're highly social endurance-predating feliforms and fill very similar niches to wolves in their environments.



          They're even already well on their way to domestication in places like Harar.



          Tame hyena







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 1 hour ago

























          answered 3 hours ago









          YnneadwraithYnneadwraith

          4,23311125




          4,23311125























              4












              $begingroup$

              Breed them for small, minimally functional brains.



              We are already doing this, and it turns out great, mostly. Brachiocephalic cats are prized pets because they are super sweet and docile and they sneeze a lot. This docility is in part because their brains are squashed and small, and missing some bits. The sneezing is probably because they barely have noses.



              https://www.improveinternational.com/us/brachycephaly-ventricular-dilation-and-skull-malformations-in-persian-cats/




              The results confirmed a correlation between high grades of
              brachycephaly with facial, dental and neurocranial abnormalities in
              Persian cats. These malformations were also linked to a reduced
              cranial capacity and internal hydrocephalus which can be clinically
              significant and cause a negative impact on animal welfare.




              brachiocephalic cats



              http://messybeast.com/brachycephaly.htm



              Maybe an impact on animal welfare if you expect the cat to hunt pigeons in the wild; it might struggle to figure out what it was supposed to do. But for a companion animal it is fine and if you explicity want the animal not to be a solitary predator it is great. The physical issues that go along with the brachycephaly breeding program also work fine with the non-predator kibblivorous human companion plan.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$


















                4












                $begingroup$

                Breed them for small, minimally functional brains.



                We are already doing this, and it turns out great, mostly. Brachiocephalic cats are prized pets because they are super sweet and docile and they sneeze a lot. This docility is in part because their brains are squashed and small, and missing some bits. The sneezing is probably because they barely have noses.



                https://www.improveinternational.com/us/brachycephaly-ventricular-dilation-and-skull-malformations-in-persian-cats/




                The results confirmed a correlation between high grades of
                brachycephaly with facial, dental and neurocranial abnormalities in
                Persian cats. These malformations were also linked to a reduced
                cranial capacity and internal hydrocephalus which can be clinically
                significant and cause a negative impact on animal welfare.




                brachiocephalic cats



                http://messybeast.com/brachycephaly.htm



                Maybe an impact on animal welfare if you expect the cat to hunt pigeons in the wild; it might struggle to figure out what it was supposed to do. But for a companion animal it is fine and if you explicity want the animal not to be a solitary predator it is great. The physical issues that go along with the brachycephaly breeding program also work fine with the non-predator kibblivorous human companion plan.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$
















                  4












                  4








                  4





                  $begingroup$

                  Breed them for small, minimally functional brains.



                  We are already doing this, and it turns out great, mostly. Brachiocephalic cats are prized pets because they are super sweet and docile and they sneeze a lot. This docility is in part because their brains are squashed and small, and missing some bits. The sneezing is probably because they barely have noses.



                  https://www.improveinternational.com/us/brachycephaly-ventricular-dilation-and-skull-malformations-in-persian-cats/




                  The results confirmed a correlation between high grades of
                  brachycephaly with facial, dental and neurocranial abnormalities in
                  Persian cats. These malformations were also linked to a reduced
                  cranial capacity and internal hydrocephalus which can be clinically
                  significant and cause a negative impact on animal welfare.




                  brachiocephalic cats



                  http://messybeast.com/brachycephaly.htm



                  Maybe an impact on animal welfare if you expect the cat to hunt pigeons in the wild; it might struggle to figure out what it was supposed to do. But for a companion animal it is fine and if you explicity want the animal not to be a solitary predator it is great. The physical issues that go along with the brachycephaly breeding program also work fine with the non-predator kibblivorous human companion plan.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  Breed them for small, minimally functional brains.



                  We are already doing this, and it turns out great, mostly. Brachiocephalic cats are prized pets because they are super sweet and docile and they sneeze a lot. This docility is in part because their brains are squashed and small, and missing some bits. The sneezing is probably because they barely have noses.



                  https://www.improveinternational.com/us/brachycephaly-ventricular-dilation-and-skull-malformations-in-persian-cats/




                  The results confirmed a correlation between high grades of
                  brachycephaly with facial, dental and neurocranial abnormalities in
                  Persian cats. These malformations were also linked to a reduced
                  cranial capacity and internal hydrocephalus which can be clinically
                  significant and cause a negative impact on animal welfare.




                  brachiocephalic cats



                  http://messybeast.com/brachycephaly.htm



                  Maybe an impact on animal welfare if you expect the cat to hunt pigeons in the wild; it might struggle to figure out what it was supposed to do. But for a companion animal it is fine and if you explicity want the animal not to be a solitary predator it is great. The physical issues that go along with the brachycephaly breeding program also work fine with the non-predator kibblivorous human companion plan.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 3 hours ago









                  WillkWillk

                  112k27210471




                  112k27210471























                      3












                      $begingroup$

                      It's already been done, many times. All you have to do is search for 'cat circus' on Youtube.



                      Here is an example: https://youtu.be/8e0z3-iZ_TY?t=60



                      enter image description here



                      I personally trained my cat to high-five in an afternoon - they learn quickly. Here is an old video showing the method https://youtu.be/q787R2DNDJI?t=35



                      You can search Youtube for 'cat clicker training'.





                      An anecdote



                      I was training my dog to jump on a chair and sit in return for a treat. The cat had been watching with great interest. A the end of the (short) session the cat jumped on the chair, sat, and looked at me expectantly. I gave him a treat! It was at that point I understood the expression, "copycat".






                      share|improve this answer











                      $endgroup$









                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Pelinore
                        3 hours ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                        $endgroup$
                        – chasly from UK
                        3 hours ago
















                      3












                      $begingroup$

                      It's already been done, many times. All you have to do is search for 'cat circus' on Youtube.



                      Here is an example: https://youtu.be/8e0z3-iZ_TY?t=60



                      enter image description here



                      I personally trained my cat to high-five in an afternoon - they learn quickly. Here is an old video showing the method https://youtu.be/q787R2DNDJI?t=35



                      You can search Youtube for 'cat clicker training'.





                      An anecdote



                      I was training my dog to jump on a chair and sit in return for a treat. The cat had been watching with great interest. A the end of the (short) session the cat jumped on the chair, sat, and looked at me expectantly. I gave him a treat! It was at that point I understood the expression, "copycat".






                      share|improve this answer











                      $endgroup$









                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Pelinore
                        3 hours ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                        $endgroup$
                        – chasly from UK
                        3 hours ago














                      3












                      3








                      3





                      $begingroup$

                      It's already been done, many times. All you have to do is search for 'cat circus' on Youtube.



                      Here is an example: https://youtu.be/8e0z3-iZ_TY?t=60



                      enter image description here



                      I personally trained my cat to high-five in an afternoon - they learn quickly. Here is an old video showing the method https://youtu.be/q787R2DNDJI?t=35



                      You can search Youtube for 'cat clicker training'.





                      An anecdote



                      I was training my dog to jump on a chair and sit in return for a treat. The cat had been watching with great interest. A the end of the (short) session the cat jumped on the chair, sat, and looked at me expectantly. I gave him a treat! It was at that point I understood the expression, "copycat".






                      share|improve this answer











                      $endgroup$



                      It's already been done, many times. All you have to do is search for 'cat circus' on Youtube.



                      Here is an example: https://youtu.be/8e0z3-iZ_TY?t=60



                      enter image description here



                      I personally trained my cat to high-five in an afternoon - they learn quickly. Here is an old video showing the method https://youtu.be/q787R2DNDJI?t=35



                      You can search Youtube for 'cat clicker training'.





                      An anecdote



                      I was training my dog to jump on a chair and sit in return for a treat. The cat had been watching with great interest. A the end of the (short) session the cat jumped on the chair, sat, and looked at me expectantly. I gave him a treat! It was at that point I understood the expression, "copycat".







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited 3 hours ago

























                      answered 3 hours ago









                      chasly from UKchasly from UK

                      17.9k778162




                      17.9k778162








                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Pelinore
                        3 hours ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                        $endgroup$
                        – chasly from UK
                        3 hours ago














                      • 1




                        $begingroup$
                        "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Pelinore
                        3 hours ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                        $endgroup$
                        – chasly from UK
                        3 hours ago








                      1




                      1




                      $begingroup$
                      "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Pelinore
                      3 hours ago




                      $begingroup$
                      "they learn quickly" it took me exactly 2 days to teach mine that all surfaces in the kitchen are off limits & he's allowed only the floor (two when I got him) but surfaces anywhere else are OK ~ but it took considerably longer to teach him he wasn't allowed to follow me all the way to work including across main roads.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Pelinore
                      3 hours ago












                      $begingroup$
                      @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                      $endgroup$
                      – chasly from UK
                      3 hours ago




                      $begingroup$
                      @Pelinore - I had a dog and a cat at the time and we could get to the local wild park without crossing a road. The cat used to follow me and the dog as we walked through the woods on the way there but stop before the open part. One day I looked back and the cat had followed us right into the open. It was a worrying moment as there were dogs around. I shooed him back. Once I knew to watch for him I would make sure he didn't even follow us out of the driveway.
                      $endgroup$
                      – chasly from UK
                      3 hours ago


















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