How to teach your cat to give a handshake

Cats are some of the most amazing animals on earth and are very intelligent. They are also some of the most stubborn. But that does not mean they can not be taught to do tricks on command. With a little patience, your kitty can be a world class performer in no time because of their intelligence.

1. Arrange a training session a couple of hours before the cat's regular mealtime. The cat should be a bit hungry, so that he will put in more effort to get the treats from you.

2. Have your cat's favorite treat on hand.

3. Show kitty the treat. Let him smell it.

4. Offer your hand. Offer the hand that does not have the treat in it by holding it palm up, slightly cupped, in front of kitty's face just above his eye level. Use a short word to associate the action with, so that saying "Shake" or "Give Paw" will later be understood by the cat as meaning a handshake (or "paw shake"). In search of the treat, your cat will instinctively put his paw in your hand.

- If this does not seem to work, try lifting the cat's paw and holding him while he eats the treat. In this way, he will associate eating the treat with having his paw in your hand.

5. Immediately reward with a treat after he has put his paw in your hand. At the same time, reinforce the desired response by saying "Good Cat!"

6. Repeat the training four or five more times. Begin again either later that day or the next day, remembering to use the command each time. Continue until it happens with ease.

Cats have short attention spans, so don't try for more than 3 to 5 minutes a session.

7. Praise your cat!

8. Finished.