Tricks You Can Teach Your Cat: Roll Over

Cats are smart animals capable of learning several commands. Teaching tricks like "roll over" provides healthy stimulation that will prevent boredom. Training your cat to perform tricks and follow commands will also strengthen your bond with your pet. Do not take training your cat too seriously; make sure that both you and your pet are enjoying the experience.

  1. Rewards

    • Use rewards to entice your cat to perform tricks like "roll over." Unlike dogs, cats do not care about pleasing their owners with tricks, so the reward you choose should be something special that your cat really wants, such as a favorite treat, a new toy with catnip or extra affection. For most cats, food treats work the best. Use verbal praise in conjunction with rewards. Give the treat immediately after your cat performs the roll over trick, so that it understands that it is being rewarded for that particular action.

    Timing

    • Find the right time to teach your cat how to roll over. If your cat is moody, tired or wants to be left alone, choose a different time. Find a time when your cat is playful, affectionate and wants your attention. Try two training sessions per day, and spend no more than five minutes for each session. When your cat loses interest in learning to roll over, end the session. Never punish your cat when it loses interest or fails to perform. Once your cat can roll over on cue, begin working on new commands, but practice the trick daily.

    Natural Habits

    • Use the actions your cat already performs when teaching your cat to roll over. For example, if your cat likes to lay down on the floor, gently guide it to roll over as you say the command, and then offer a reward. Repeat this action over several training sessions. Over time, your cat will learn to do the trick on its own. Use this principle when teaching your cat other tricks as well.

    Be Flexible

    • While cats are smart animals capable of being trained to perform tricks like "roll over," not every cat is interested in learning to perform tricks on command. If your cat is not receptive to your attempts at teaching it to roll over, try a simpler command, such as "come" to ease your cat into the idea of obeying commands. Or, reward your cat for actions it already performs to teach it to perform those actions when you give the command. For example, if your cat already sits, say "sit" as it sits down and then offer a treat. Over time, your cat will learn to associate the command with the action and reward, and will sit when you tell it to. Once your cat understands that it will receive a treat when it obeys your command, you can begin teaching more complex tricks like "roll over."