Sorry for digging up past threads, but I saw this and had to comment.
I started clicker training a couple of months ago but it is a bit patchy because it is when I have the time (and a quiet house!).
I decided to try clicker training, not so I could control them, but to provide more mental stimulation for my boys (which I do sometimes have concerns about because they are indoors all the time). Murphy is very receptive and loves it - we haven't got that far yet, a few basic skills, but I have only introduced and established one cue word which is 'dinner'. When I say dinner they both go and sit on their mat in the kitchen and wait while I prepare their food - no snaking round my legs or climbing on to the work surface or trying to eat it out of the pouch while I'm holding it or fighting to both get there head in one bowl, they sit very patiently and watch me. I only taught Murphy this (Thomas doesn't accept bribery!
) Tom has just copied his behaviour, which made it very easy for me. When I have put their meals into their separate bowls, I place them on the floor, say dinner again and then they start eating. It is easier for me but also has much greater implications. For example, when I'm cooking tea, and want to get something out of the oven, I say dinner and the boys go and sit in their place on the far side of the kitchen. I can open the oven safely without worrying if the cats might try and jump up and can place food on the side without worrying a cat might jump up and eat it (when they were very little, they did a lot of this!). When I have finished, I give them both a yummy treat and then they know they can move again.
I don't want my cats to jump through hoops or do somersaults but the interaction between us and the positive outcomes of some of their learned behaviours is really great. At the moment I am using clicker training to try and make them more comfortable with walking outside on a lead. They are both comfortable wearing a harness and lead (and now understand that if they feel tension on the lead they need to walk backwards or stop rather than pulling on it) but are scared of the outside world. Now it is getting a bit warmer and lighter in the evenings I will try taking them round to people's (quiet) gardens to see if that helps them.
If you find something your cat really likes then clicker training isn't really that difficult at all. Murphy has Natures Menu moist cat treats (which I cut into tiny bits). The pieces need to be small enough so they don't take time to eat it and to keep them interested. I find it best to do a bit of training just before tea time when they are hungry because cats are so wilful - I suppose if you free feed this wouldn't be so easy I suppose. Training doesn't last very long, normally only up to 20 or 30 clicks (which would be up to about 10 minutes). When we started, we were only having about 5 click and treats per session as you need to finish the 'game' while they are still interested - if you 'bore' them they will be wary about doing it again.
It can be very useful for training your cat to accept nail trimming, brushing and coming when called though - cats are very intelligent and soon realise it might be worth sitting through something if they get rewarded at the end.
I think some people get scared by the phrase 'clicker training'. How many people shake the biscuit box (or have some other stimulus) to get their cat to come in? It is the same principle really.
