Every dog parent knows that their furry friends are renowned for their remarkable ability to learn a multitude of tricks.
From simple tasks like shaking paws and rolling over to more complex feats like turning lights on and off or even taking selfies, our beloved pups are truly masters of trickery.
But dog lovers aren’t the only ones who can beam with pride – cat aficionados, take note! Our feline companions are equally capable of learning new tricks.
While they might not seem as eager to please and obey rules as dogs, with the right approach, cats can definitely be taught to perform impressive feats, too!
Take Rhonda, for example, a fellow cat mom who managed to train her calico cat to associate Gloria Estefan’s song Conga with treat time. It’s a must-see and goes to show just how trainable cats can be!
Pavlov’s Theory Of Learning
It’s very likely that Rhonda followed the principle of Pavlovian Conditioning to teach her cat this amusing trick.
According to this principle, also known as classical conditioning or Pavlov’s theory of learning, certain behaviors can be acquired through the association between different stimuli.
Pavlov uncovered this phenomenon through his famous experiments with dogs, where he observed that they began to salivate not only at the sight of food but also at the sound of a bell that preceded their feeding.
By associating the sound of a bell (a neutral stimulus) with food (a meaningful stimulus), Pavlov’s dogs learned to respond automatically, demonstrating the powerful influence of associations on behavior.
Similarly, Rhonda’s ingenious training led her cat to expect a treat the moment Gloria Estefan’s song started playing. Pretty incredible, right?
I guess her cat “can’t control herself any longer,” if you catch my drift, haha.
A Neverending Feline Fiesta
Rhonda posted the results of her successful training on TikTok, where it caught a lot of attention – garnering over a million views, to be precise!
Her video is a delightful compilation of clips where her cat springs into action at the sound of trumpets and runs over to Rhonda, expecting treats.
Whether she’s napping or just chilling in her pineapple-shaped cat bed, this adorable Calico jumps to her paws at the call of music, every single time!
Ready to see the video I’ve been talking about? Brace yourself: Your day is about to get a whole lot groovier!
@rhonda.tv Proof that you absolutely can train a cat… mine learned to love Gloria Estefan! 😆 #catsoftiktiok #funnycats #sillycats #cutecat #calicocat #gloriaestefan ♬ original sound – Rhonda 🌸👗🎨🐈💕
People didn’t hesitate to express their enthusiasm in the comments. Melanie Hope wrote:
“…you’ve given me an idea for my weekend plans.”
Christin jokingly remarked:
“I’m clearly not taking full advantage of my spare time.”
Another user, LK, who is also a fellow cat mom, asked Rhonda how long it took to teach her cat that handy trick, likely hoping to replicate the success. Rhonda replied:
“She picked it up surprisingly quick! She gets her treats once a day and she made the association in under a week. The other cat, however, is not such a smartypants and hasn’t figured it out”
Well, don’t worry, Rhonda! I’m sure your other fluff will catch on soon!
You don’t have to be a Gloria Estefan fan to recognize how incredible and hilarious this video is! I swear, it’s literally the best thing I’ve seen online in a while!
I hope you enjoyed it too! Make sure to share this article with your friends and family – and don’t hesitate to try teaching your fluffy friend the same trick. You can even try a different song! I know I will!
Leave a comment