I whistle trained my wife's cat......

I never had cats before. About 5 years ago my wife took in our neighbors cats because she felt like they were being treated poorly. The were being ignored and left in the neighbors garage while the house was being renovated. Our neighbor traveled a lot on business and was OK with that.

So wife brings 2 cats home. I told her I wouldn't call the cats the names (Boo & Belle) she gave them because cats are too dumb to learn to respond to a given name. I just called them "Cat and the other cat......" Anyway, shortly thereafter we got a new Sheltie puppy. That's a Shetland Sheepdog. Looks just like Lassie but much smaller. Now these animals have it quite good. We live on about 3/4 acres, wooded lot in S. Charlotte. Have a dog door to the back deck and the back yard. The animals come and go as they wish. Whilst training up my dog,(Scot)I whistled every time I was about to feed him (twice a day) or give him a treat. Cat & the other cat learned this and started to come running whenever I whistled for Scot to come. I started giving them treats while Scot-dog ate.

Now, anytime I want either Cat or Scot to come..... I just whistle. Cat can be a couple of yards away yet she comes flying over the fence and up on the deck and in through the dog/cat door.

Regrettably, 2 years ago The Other Cat failed to show up one night. Wife was upset and went to work while I drove around looking. The Other Cat was found dead a block away by a busy road. We miss him alot as he was a damn good cat.

Anyway..... It's easy to whistle train an animal. Just whistle prior to feeding time.

Also...... Cat answers to the name...... Cat..... but not Belle.

"I whistled-trained my wife's COAT."

Where'd I leave those eyes of mine??

:P :P

I drag the word out and they understand it means a treat, like tuna water, canned cat food (they're used to dry), etc.
It's the same as your whistle. Sorry to hear about the loss of The Other Cat.

focused on their food. If I even take a few steps away from the animal feeding area, after I've whistled, say to remove my coat.... the animals seem to be upset for the 4 second delay in bringing them there food. I mean, I like a good bacon cheese burger and a bottle of beer but I don't whine if it's 4 seconds late in arriving, and all.

It's a funny sight to see the cat and dog flying down the stairs knowing theirs a bit of Pounce or Milk Bone involved.