I'm running into a problem while attempting to clicker train my feline family. I've attempted to seperate them into carriers, while I'm working with one, but the problem here is multi-fold.
I have no "private space" that I can work in and close off from the others, so I'm left to contain all the other cats, leaving one out. The one I'm working with, is then distracted by the lunatics in the carrier throwing a fit.
If I let them all out, then they swarm (five hungry kitties and a bowl full of treats does not organization make).
Will they associate the click if there is more than one of them, just because I'm clicking and then putting the food down on the plate, even if only one of them can get at the food at once (in the vein of one of them steals the treat before the others get to it)...?
I attempted to "move on" to touching the target stick, but if I'm only clicking the one touching (and more than one might be touching), the others then hear it, so are they associating what they're doing with the treat? Since they're all basically in front of me, I don't know if they're going to discern that I'm only clicking one of them. Would it be better to use the click, and say the name of the one I'm working with?
I just sort of seem to be stuck at this portion. I know the little loons are smart enough, there just seems to be too much going on to distract them no matter which way I try it.
I have begun clicking right before actual feeding time, when they're all waiting for their food dishes to hit the ground.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Heather
