Superstar Cats

A BIT ABOUT ME

I’ve been an animal trainer for film and television for more than twenty years, something I still pinch myself about. Animals have always been my absolute passion; at thirteen, I started working in a poodle parlor on Saturdays, and I did my apprenticeship there when I left school, becoming a doggy hairdresser soon after. It hadn’t crossed my mind to look into animal training as a career until a friend’s father—an art director in the film industry—told me the job existed. I couldn’t believe it: getting paid to play with animals all day and go on film sets? It was too good to be true.

I felt sure I didn’t stand a chance of breaking into it, but I managed to find the names of some agencies through a friend in the industry, and I eagerly contacted all of them. I did a lot of work for free before I finally landed a full-time job, and a few years later I was given an amazing opportunity when I was asked to work for an internationally acclaimed training company, Birds and Animals. I’ve now run the U.K. branch for eighteen years.

One of the things I love about my job is how different each day is. At any one time, I might be working on anything between one and eight feature films, as well as commercials and TV shows, and over the years I’ve trained reindeer, monkeys, mongooses, and bats, to name just a few. But, after dogs, cats are the animal I’m asked to train most often—not surprising, as they are one of the most popular pets in the world. (Fish are the most popular—but luckily I’ve never been asked to train them!)

I love cats, but they can be stubborn little so-and-so’s: they’re all clever enough to be trained, but it takes the right sort of nature to get success—just like humans, not all cats want to be actors. This means casting the right cat is very important. The main thing I look for is confidence. Some cats get very stressed by being moved around, which is really unfair for them, so I’m always on the lookout for brave cats who I know will enjoy the limelight. The second thing I look for is greediness! I’m always after a cat who likes to be pet and picked up, but if they’re really motivated by treats then that makes trick training much easier.

I try to rescommand as many animals as I can when it comes to casting. Once I have the description of the particular type of animal needed, I contact rescommand centers to see if they have any that fit the bill and are in need of a home. My favorite cat I’ve cast was Crookshanks for the Harry Potter series. The casting team wanted a grumpy-looking cat, so I right away thought of a Persian. I love them; they have such characterful faces. I found the perfect candidate—a cat named Crackerjack who was just the best cat to work with; he’d trot along beside me almost like a dog. We were real partners for many years, and he continued living with me after the films ended. I sadly lost him to old age in 2016, but I still have Max, who played Mrs. Norris!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Hopefully you’ve bought (or been given) this book because you already have a cat; so long as you have one, the rest is very simple!

Each time you finish a trick, sign the box at the bottom of the page. Then, when your cat has successfully completed all the tricks in the book, award him or her the coveted certificate at the very back, and let your cat do a smug lap of honor around your living room.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS

The below FAQs provide some useful advice on how to approach trick training and to give you and your cat the best chance of success. Read through these before you get started on the tricks.

Q: Where is the best place to teach my cat tricks?

A: It’s important to do your sessions somewhere your cat is very familiar with. Make sure it’s quiet and that there’s nothing to distract your cat while you train together.

Q:When is the best time to teach my cat a trick?

A: Before a meal—that way they will be much more motivated by the treat reward. When cats are full, all they want to think about is sleeping—not that we can blame them!

Q:How long should the training sessions be?

A: Cats generally need shorter training sessions than dogs, as they can get frustrated quickly if they don’t understand what you are asking for (and they’re generally much more free-spirited!). Practice little and often, instead of doing long, frustrating training sessions. I’d recommend bursts of 15–20 minutes and no more than four sessions a day.

Q: How many tricks can I teach my cat at once?

A: