My cat won't use technology.
February 10, 2022 11:24 AM Subscribe
Last year y'all helped me adopt my roommate's cat, and now I have a much lower-stakes question about life with him. I installed a chip-reading pet door so Mugen can let himself in and out of my room, but he won't use it by himself yet. Do you have any tips on training a cat to do a "scary" thing?
Mugen has an asshole housemate (Norman) who likes to bully him, chase him, and pick fights, so we installed an IoT pet door into my room. In theory, Mugen can let himself in and out of my room (his refuge) without scratching to get my attention, and will have access when I'm not home.
Right now we're at the stage of Mugen using the pet door if it is already ajar (preferrably wide open), but he is not yet pushing on the flap on his own. How can I get him to do this without traumatizing him? He's already a bit of a nervous/skittish cat, and things like putting him in a box or carrying him into an unfamiliar room (or even near a window) can cause him to get stressed and freaking out (ears back, flailing, scratching to escape).
Things I'm currently doing:
- Not allowing him to enter/exit through the human door
- If he wants in/out, I call him to the pet door and hold it open until he goes through
- A couple times a day I put wet food on the side where he is not, and hold the door ajar until his food motivation overcomes his reluctance.
- Occasionally, if he is being very affectionate, we will play the "use the pet door" game where pets and cuddles are the prize.
In theory I can tape the pet door open and shut Norman into a different part of the house, but this requires my human housemates to remember to keep that door closed. (Both parts of the house have food and litterbox access when the door is closed)
I have pushed/forced Mugen through once (right after installation), and he was Not Happy about the experience. One of my housemates also tried the brute force method, but Mugen wigged out and escaped their grip (and now avoids that housemate more than usual). I'm worried that putting him through that kind of stress repeatedly would make him associate the pet door with distress and discomfort (rather than a way to access comfort) and make him stop using it altogether.
My current plan is to keep on with wet food rewards and not allowing use of the human door and hoping that at some point *magic happens* and he tries pushing through the pet door without my help.
Anything else I can try?
Mugen has an asshole housemate (Norman) who likes to bully him, chase him, and pick fights, so we installed an IoT pet door into my room. In theory, Mugen can let himself in and out of my room (his refuge) without scratching to get my attention, and will have access when I'm not home.
Right now we're at the stage of Mugen using the pet door if it is already ajar (preferrably wide open), but he is not yet pushing on the flap on his own. How can I get him to do this without traumatizing him? He's already a bit of a nervous/skittish cat, and things like putting him in a box or carrying him into an unfamiliar room (or even near a window) can cause him to get stressed and freaking out (ears back, flailing, scratching to escape).
Things I'm currently doing:
- Not allowing him to enter/exit through the human door
- If he wants in/out, I call him to the pet door and hold it open until he goes through
- A couple times a day I put wet food on the side where he is not, and hold the door ajar until his food motivation overcomes his reluctance.
- Occasionally, if he is being very affectionate, we will play the "use the pet door" game where pets and cuddles are the prize.
In theory I can tape the pet door open and shut Norman into a different part of the house, but this requires my human housemates to remember to keep that door closed. (Both parts of the house have food and litterbox access when the door is closed)
I have pushed/forced Mugen through once (right after installation), and he was Not Happy about the experience. One of my housemates also tried the brute force method, but Mugen wigged out and escaped their grip (and now avoids that housemate more than usual). I'm worried that putting him through that kind of stress repeatedly would make him associate the pet door with distress and discomfort (rather than a way to access comfort) and make him stop using it altogether.
My current plan is to keep on with wet food rewards and not allowing use of the human door and hoping that at some point *magic happens* and he tries pushing through the pet door without my help.
Anything else I can try?
Norman is the bhole, here.
"In theory I can tape the pet door open and shut Norman into a different part of the house, but this requires my human housemates to remember to keep that door closed." This is probably your game.
Don't force him, it'll make it worse. I would create positive association with the open door, first, then soft door afterward.
Cats sometimes hate technology.
posted by firstdaffodils at 11:36 AM on February 10, 2022
"In theory I can tape the pet door open and shut Norman into a different part of the house, but this requires my human housemates to remember to keep that door closed." This is probably your game.
Don't force him, it'll make it worse. I would create positive association with the open door, first, then soft door afterward.
Cats sometimes hate technology.
posted by firstdaffodils at 11:36 AM on February 10, 2022
Also, get the best, stinkiest, most delicious treats, and the only way that Mugen gets the treats is to go through the ever more closed flap.
posted by rockindata at 11:43 AM on February 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 11:43 AM on February 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
I think the gradual approach rockindata mentioned is probably your best bet. Definitely don't force him, just keep bribing.
That said, there is a chance he'll never like it. I think among my four cats, two would happily accept any challenges to get to food or top notch treats, one would be reluctant but decide after watching the first two that it was probably safe, and my oldest cat would almost certainly rather starve than interact with a robot door. I'm hopeful for you since Mugen will go through it when partly open.
posted by ktkt at 11:46 AM on February 10, 2022
That said, there is a chance he'll never like it. I think among my four cats, two would happily accept any challenges to get to food or top notch treats, one would be reluctant but decide after watching the first two that it was probably safe, and my oldest cat would almost certainly rather starve than interact with a robot door. I'm hopeful for you since Mugen will go through it when partly open.
posted by ktkt at 11:46 AM on February 10, 2022
PS: I remember your earlier post. Thanks for taking responsibility for him and working to give him a better life :)
posted by ktkt at 11:55 AM on February 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by ktkt at 11:55 AM on February 10, 2022 [8 favorites]
I have used the approach rockindata describes, though with plain cat-flaps, not fancy electronic doors. Took less than a week for the cats to get habituated.
posted by adamrice at 12:08 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by adamrice at 12:08 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Awww, Mugen! I'm so glad to hear he's doing OK!
My suggestion is to not focus on prodding/enticing him toward this specific behavior, but to allow him to feel tons more secure so that he's able to experiment on his own.
Between the pancreatitis (is that still happening?) and the general skittishness, it sounds like _safety_ is what Mugen needs to feel most. Since there's a jerk cat out in the rest of the house, would you be willing to just let him stay in your room all the time, so that he never has to encounter that other cat?
I'd be willing to bet that after a while, if he can feel truly safe (for some weeks or maybe months), he'd become bolder and more willing to experiment with technology on his own.
I realize this may not be practical, but take heart! There's a lot more you can do to help his (completely rational) anxiety.
--> You've already addressed his physical pain. This is huge, both for anxiety and for general cognitive facility.
--> Cats can feel a LOT more safe if they have appropriate spaces to hang out, where they can see any other animals (humans and/or jerky cats) approaching, sprawl in a relaxed way, and see a reasonably rich panorama of life (i.e. a window).
--> You've probably already heard about meds and/or Feliway. Expensive, and maybe not necessary if you do the other things -- but worth keeping in mind, or trying temporarily to gauge effectiveness.
--> With multiple cats in the household, giving them a sense of multiple, complex, discrete "places to be" can be super helpful. Do do do read and watch anything you can find on Jackson Galaxy's ideas about "catification". It could change Mugen's life :)
Current thinking about both teaching//learning and innovation for humans centers a lot on creating a sense of safety. I think what it really shows is how much of life's opportunities are lost when we don't have that sense of safety. It's easy to imagine this is also central for all creatures.
posted by amtho at 1:01 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
My suggestion is to not focus on prodding/enticing him toward this specific behavior, but to allow him to feel tons more secure so that he's able to experiment on his own.
Between the pancreatitis (is that still happening?) and the general skittishness, it sounds like _safety_ is what Mugen needs to feel most. Since there's a jerk cat out in the rest of the house, would you be willing to just let him stay in your room all the time, so that he never has to encounter that other cat?
I'd be willing to bet that after a while, if he can feel truly safe (for some weeks or maybe months), he'd become bolder and more willing to experiment with technology on his own.
I realize this may not be practical, but take heart! There's a lot more you can do to help his (completely rational) anxiety.
--> You've already addressed his physical pain. This is huge, both for anxiety and for general cognitive facility.
--> Cats can feel a LOT more safe if they have appropriate spaces to hang out, where they can see any other animals (humans and/or jerky cats) approaching, sprawl in a relaxed way, and see a reasonably rich panorama of life (i.e. a window).
--> You've probably already heard about meds and/or Feliway. Expensive, and maybe not necessary if you do the other things -- but worth keeping in mind, or trying temporarily to gauge effectiveness.
--> With multiple cats in the household, giving them a sense of multiple, complex, discrete "places to be" can be super helpful. Do do do read and watch anything you can find on Jackson Galaxy's ideas about "catification". It could change Mugen's life :)
Current thinking about both teaching//learning and innovation for humans centers a lot on creating a sense of safety. I think what it really shows is how much of life's opportunities are lost when we don't have that sense of safety. It's easy to imagine this is also central for all creatures.
posted by amtho at 1:01 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Clicker training was made for these situations. You'll need about a week, I think.
- permanently tape the flap open (or remove the flap for now), even if that makes things uncomfortable for Norman (as he'll be stuck in a room). Use signs on the door handle to remind all humans that cat training is happening. When Mugen loves to walk through his cat tunnel, only then can you add the flap. In fact, with a skittish animal, I would do an in-between step of some fairly thick cloth duct-taped over the tunnel (a thick towel or similar). With that, he can learn to push through without being punished by a heavy plastic thing hitting him on his back.
- get a cat clicker and some freeze-dried liver or other favourite treats
- about five times a day, sit down with Mugen and do your thing. Any movement towards the flap = click and treat thrown away from the flap. Stop after three to five minutes, even if it's going great or terribly
- let Mugen enter through the human door still. It will not confuse him, he already knows it exists. All creatures learn better when there is no pressure. The new trick being the only exit from a scary housemate is far too much pressure
- never, ever shove a cat (or dog, or human) towards something you want them to enjoy. You're a great cat friend, I remember from your last thread. It's normal to think that if you can just make him see how easy it is, he'll get it. But it will never work.
posted by toucan at 1:10 PM on February 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
- permanently tape the flap open (or remove the flap for now), even if that makes things uncomfortable for Norman (as he'll be stuck in a room). Use signs on the door handle to remind all humans that cat training is happening. When Mugen loves to walk through his cat tunnel, only then can you add the flap. In fact, with a skittish animal, I would do an in-between step of some fairly thick cloth duct-taped over the tunnel (a thick towel or similar). With that, he can learn to push through without being punished by a heavy plastic thing hitting him on his back.
- get a cat clicker and some freeze-dried liver or other favourite treats
- about five times a day, sit down with Mugen and do your thing. Any movement towards the flap = click and treat thrown away from the flap. Stop after three to five minutes, even if it's going great or terribly
- let Mugen enter through the human door still. It will not confuse him, he already knows it exists. All creatures learn better when there is no pressure. The new trick being the only exit from a scary housemate is far too much pressure
- never, ever shove a cat (or dog, or human) towards something you want them to enjoy. You're a great cat friend, I remember from your last thread. It's normal to think that if you can just make him see how easy it is, he'll get it. But it will never work.
posted by toucan at 1:10 PM on February 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
How long have you had this door? I have one of this company's feeders and it took probably a couple of weeks before my cat would use it by herself.
I apologize if this sounds very obvious, but the manual and website had a ton of tips for the feeders that I found helpful. Have you tried looking to see what they recommend for this door?
posted by sm1tten at 2:55 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I apologize if this sounds very obvious, but the manual and website had a ton of tips for the feeders that I found helpful. Have you tried looking to see what they recommend for this door?
posted by sm1tten at 2:55 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yes, clicker training! Get the book "Clicker Training for Cats" -- it's a tiny book that will make a wonderfully big difference in joy in your life.
Also: freeze-dried turkey treats. Mugen's life is about to get even better :)
posted by amtho at 3:11 PM on February 10, 2022
Also: freeze-dried turkey treats. Mugen's life is about to get even better :)
posted by amtho at 3:11 PM on February 10, 2022
What usually works with my cat is sitting with her by New Thing, showing her how New Thing works by doing it myself a bunch of times, and waiting with her as emotional support while she futzes with New Thing herself until she gets it. (See: me scratching my own nails on a scratching post until she tried it.)
What happens if you don’t try to force or even really engage Mugen, but instead just play with the door yourself for awhile—flip it open and shut, stick your arm through, pet or wave at him from the other side, pull a string or toss toys through from side to side. Basically, make it seem fun, or at least like something that is interesting to you. That would be enough to get my cat to come and at least try to bat it around a bit.
(I also remember your previous question, and I am so happy for this update. I’m glad you found each other!)
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 3:51 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
What happens if you don’t try to force or even really engage Mugen, but instead just play with the door yourself for awhile—flip it open and shut, stick your arm through, pet or wave at him from the other side, pull a string or toss toys through from side to side. Basically, make it seem fun, or at least like something that is interesting to you. That would be enough to get my cat to come and at least try to bat it around a bit.
(I also remember your previous question, and I am so happy for this update. I’m glad you found each other!)
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 3:51 PM on February 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I vividly remember your question from last year and am so happy to hear that Mungen is doing better in your care! We've been trying to acclimate our cats to feeder robots and had despaired at the one week mark of our older one getting it. But by patiently keeping at it with the freshest kibble (spiked with treats), he eventually got with the program. Nthing not to force it in any way but to be very patient and encouraging and to keep up the positive associations!
posted by merriment at 4:03 PM on February 10, 2022
posted by merriment at 4:03 PM on February 10, 2022
Make sure he knows the door lets him go in both directions so he doesn't fear entrapment on either side.
(I too remember the previous question and join the glad metafilter chorus!)
posted by scrubjay at 4:23 PM on February 10, 2022
(I too remember the previous question and join the glad metafilter chorus!)
posted by scrubjay at 4:23 PM on February 10, 2022
It's normal to think that if you can just make him see how easy it is, he'll get it. But it will never work.
This is excellent advice for parents as well as cat staff.
posted by flabdablet at 8:53 PM on February 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
This is excellent advice for parents as well as cat staff.
posted by flabdablet at 8:53 PM on February 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Start with a happy, purring kitty, lift their paw to push the flap open, treats inside. Make the goal positive experiences building to the successful outcome, not the immediate successful outcome.
posted by k3ninho at 2:48 AM on February 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by k3ninho at 2:48 AM on February 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
You may have to lock Norman away during training. What you really DON'T want is Norman chasing through the unsecured flap and also entering the "safe" space.
Once the secured flap, that only opens for Mugen , is installed, it might help for Mugen to see that Norman can't get through.
My experience is with my extra-weird, especially intelligent, (and sadly departed) cat and a roommate's small dog, so mileage may vary.
posted by MuChao at 9:31 AM on February 12, 2022
Once the secured flap, that only opens for Mugen , is installed, it might help for Mugen to see that Norman can't get through.
My experience is with my extra-weird, especially intelligent, (and sadly departed) cat and a roommate's small dog, so mileage may vary.
posted by MuChao at 9:31 AM on February 12, 2022
IIRC it took about a week with focused treat training for our cats, but 1) there were not the distractions that you have, 2) they really really really wanted to be able to go outside, 3) they are HIGHLY food motivated. I think the partial propping/slowly lowering method with some excellent treats is the way to go.
I would continue to allow him to enter/exit through the human door right now, so that you're not adding more stress. Don't tie using the cat door to *the only escape from Norman*. You want cat door to be fun and easy treat game and then have it become access.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:49 PM on February 12, 2022
I would continue to allow him to enter/exit through the human door right now, so that you're not adding more stress. Don't tie using the cat door to *the only escape from Norman*. You want cat door to be fun and easy treat game and then have it become access.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:49 PM on February 12, 2022
For treats, our dudes really love freeze dried liver, hearts or fish. You also don't want to associate his regular food with something that may be stressful right now.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:51 PM on February 12, 2022
posted by oneirodynia at 4:51 PM on February 12, 2022
Response by poster: Great news!
A few minutes ago Mugen was outside my room. I opened the door, let him smell/lick the wet food on my hand, then closed it in his face. After ~20 seconds, he went around to his pet door (which was closed but not locked), and pushed his face against it to open the door and come inside for wet food!
Thank you for all your reassurance that patience and practice were enough.
I was away for the weekend, so today we got back to training. Until this last time, it still took verbal coaxing and me propping the door open an inch or two. But now he's done the brave thing once on his own! I'm so proud.
posted by itesser at 6:28 PM on February 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
A few minutes ago Mugen was outside my room. I opened the door, let him smell/lick the wet food on my hand, then closed it in his face. After ~20 seconds, he went around to his pet door (which was closed but not locked), and pushed his face against it to open the door and come inside for wet food!
Thank you for all your reassurance that patience and practice were enough.
I was away for the weekend, so today we got back to training. Until this last time, it still took verbal coaxing and me propping the door open an inch or two. But now he's done the brave thing once on his own! I'm so proud.
posted by itesser at 6:28 PM on February 14, 2022 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Eventually the flap will be all the way closed, yay.
This may take weeks.
posted by rockindata at 11:36 AM on February 10, 2022 [23 favorites]