How to Teach a Tabby Kitten to Fetch

"Fetch boy! Fetch! Good...kitty?" When most people think of playing fetch, they think of their ever-so-eager golden retriever racing across the yard to catch the tennis ball. But you can have this same type of fun with your tabby kitten. The term "tabby," like the "golden" in golden retriever, actually refers to your cat's striped or spotted markings, not to a specific breed. Therefore, most breeds of cats are able to be taught to fetch, especially when they are young. Kittens are energetic and playful. Thanks to their hunting instinct, they love to chase things that move. This means that teaching your tabby kitten to fetch is as easy as reinforcing the behavior with positive reinforcement training.

Things You'll Need

Cat toy
Cat treats

Instructions

- 1
  Show your tabby kitten a small cat toy, such as a ball or stuffed mouse. Play with your kitten by shaking the toy, dragging it around and enticing your kitten to chase it and pounce on it. Hold it in the air for your kitten to jump at. Get your kitten in the mood to play and excited about the toy.
- 2
  Toss the toy a short distance away. Don't throw it more than a few feet at first. Talk to your kitten in a happy, excited voice and tell it to go get the toy. Praise it when it does.
- 3
  Reach over and grab the toy, dragging it back to you and encouraging your kitten to follow by calling it to you. When the kitten is near you again, reward it with a tasty kitty treat. Repeat this several times.
- 4
  Throw the toy again, gradually tossing it farther and farther away from you. After your kitten chases after it, call it back to you excitedly. If it brings the toy back, reward it with a treat. If it doesn't have the toy, retrieve the toy yourself (no treat for kitty) and try again.
- 5
  Stop giving treats gradually as rewards when your kitten starts to bring the toy back to you consistently. Reward it for fetching twice, then four times, then six, until you no longer need to rely on treats at all.