They showed this on our news tonight so I went looking for the youtube video.

I just hope the link works.


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A day in the life of Didga and Ollie

Wow... that was (as one comment said) PAWsome!

Thanks Lara! I'm going to check out his other videos too.
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It is newly up at YouTube...should be interesting to watch the views grow.

You know some cats love to do what people do. I could see Maya doing this...she loves to play with me and do complex things. But I wouldn't have a clue as to how to train her. When she was a kitten all I had to do was tap the play chair with a stick (the end of her bird feather toy) and she'd come running! She comes when called now.
I started with the stick, because upNorth she hid for most of the vacation. She was feral and not used to humans. But she loved those feathers on the stick, and they had a tinkle bell too. So she quickly learned I would play with her. I'd count one.... two.... threeeeee... and she'd jump up onto the sofa, and play. So we do that 1, 2, threeeee, thing now with other games including her flying discs.

But a MOVING object... that is a totally different thing.

This was wonderful, to have the first big laugh of the morning!

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IME training methods with pets aren't much different than learning methods with people in that what works for one pet may/may not work for another, so it's worth trying different techniques/methods until we figure out what motivates each pet.

Ol' Furface loves to learn but the same technique doesn't always work for each task.

I'm not up on current theory about cats' attention spans, but working with a dog for 10 minutes twice a day (per task) seems most effective. If we push them too hard, they get bored/tired/disinterested/frustrated, which can be counterproductive.

The (ahem) 'trick' is to keep trying/try different methods until something clicks (if it's going to).
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Doc

I've been to local cat shows...sponsored by Friskies. They gave away clickers...to whoever wanted them.

There was a little show, and then the trainer explained about cat training. It was similar to the video this guy has for training your cat on a leash.

But one thing she said, stuck with me. She said the cats they have trained for this little show, showed aptitude before the training for that task. She said that some cats will do certain things, and others not...no matter how motivated the owner. So I see with Maya she is easy to train, when it comes to things SHE likes. But other things...eh? not interested. The trainer said that their cats were trained to different tricks for the show, but they had the aptitude before the training.

So the skateboard thing, I think the cat would have to like movement and excitement. Like some cats like cars and others don't. When I was living in a college town, I used to see cats on bikes, and motorcycles! Sometimes upNorth we see them on boats going by or anchored. Our Late Oreo would sit in our docked pontoon every night with hubby...but she didn't like it when it was moving. Weezie won't go NEAR it...still.

I had the feeling that Didga is a male...he had that "air" about him. Certainly he is not a timid type cat like we have!
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He really liked being out and about!

Cool video. I'm actually more intrigued by the camera rigs/techniques!

Can't help but notice that his role is more passive (along for the ride) vs. say...
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who's more active in control—propulsion and steering. OTOH, the dogs can't compete with the cat's acrobatic skills (not bulldogs, anyway—I know some small dogs who could do the jumping tricks). Just means each to their own best skills.

I was wondering if it makes a difference if the cat(s) learned surfing first, as many of the dogs have, but doing a quick review of available videos, it appears likewise—the cats are more along for the ride (and not terribly enthusiastic) while the dogs are definitely into it.

(I thought it better not to post what I found of surfing cats as they were obviously um... less than enthusiastic).


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The narrator claims it's due to cats' innate aversion to water, but other videos have pretty much shot holes in that theory.


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I also can't help but wonder if it's related to the species' respective affinities for riding in general. I know some cats enjoy rides in cars, but I think dogs would drive themselves if they could!


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Doc

I agree; I had one of the world's only retrievers that never figured out what a ball was for. Just trying to help if you felt motivated to work with Maya on the things you think she's into.

Doc

I would like to train her on a leash. I am afraid to let her out at all, since she bolts. (did this once upNorth).

And she shows some proclivity for toilet use....the way she perches on the edge of her litter box...she could do that easily on a toilet. Maya is very into "process" and very curious. When I get her shrimp treat ready she observes every move. She loves watching water. We had to turn our main off because of a burst pipe last week, so we put 6 inches the bathtub just in case. She was playing with it and leaned over too far and the mat which was drying out on the rim slipped in and she with it. That was a big surprise for her. We can't use a water dispenser bottle for her, as she whacks the daylights out of it...making huge messes. So I have put it in the bathtub now, so she wails on it with both paws like a prize fighter! LOL She is really a unique cat...unlike any we have ever had!

I keep getting error messages this morning.
Nothing has changed on my computer since logging out of here last night my time.
Just wondering if the video is still working for you all?

It was slow to start, and there was a message about the music being slow that YouTube "didn't like it" or something?

It is running okay now, I just tested it. Views up from 155 to 398 today. Hasn't hit viral status yet.

It is a great fun video to watch. I love how the cat runs after the skateboard and jumps on! His owner is one great trainer!
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Thanks. I've no idea why it won't work for me this morning. I'll check it later.

I did worry about the Didga's feet burning on the hot footpath, but maybe he filmed it in winter.
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I wish my kitty spent her time doing something fun on her own instead of waking me up constantly from 1.30am every morning to play and feed her.
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Food is a great motivator isn't it! lol