Target training is a type of clicker training in which the animal is offered a target stick, and when the animal touches it, the trainer clicks to mark the behavior and then gives a reward for reinforcement. Target training can be a useful tool for resolving problem behaviors in cats. In this presentation, I will focus on its use in three contexts: establishing trust with cats displaying fear aggression; teaching prosocial behavior as a step to integrating a new cat into a home with existing cats; and as enrichment, especially for bored or high-energy cats. Because most clients have little to no experience training their cats (in fact, many embrace the misbelief that cats are incapable of being trained), teaching them how to target train their cats is key to its successful use. With this in mind, I will also discuss strategies for educating clients in the effective use of target training.

Sponsor:IAABC Foundation
Speaker(s):**Kate Luse

Contact:
 Email: courses@iaabcfoundation.org
 Web: https://iaabcfoundation.org/events