Running out of fresh ways to spark engagement in your cat training community? Community challenges are a proven way to get members active, learning, and sharing together. This template library gives you everything you need to launch exciting cat training challenges that your members will love.
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Community challenges tap into our natural desire for fun, progress, and recognition. When members see a clear, achievable goal and others participating, they are much more likely to join in. Challenges also create a sense of camaraderie, making the community feel alive and welcoming.
For cat training communities, challenges help members break through training plateaus by turning learning into a playful group activity. They lower the barrier to sharing, as everyone is working on the same task, and encourage both lurkers and regulars to post updates. Rewarding participation, even with simple recognition, increases intrinsic motivation and keeps members coming back.
This week, teach your cat a new trick and share a photo or video of their progress.
💡 Example: "This week, teach your cat to sit and share a photo of them doing it!"
Challenge: Can your cat come when called? Try it for three days and report your results.
💡 Example: "Challenge: Can your cat come when called? Try for three days and let us know how it goes."
Who can get their cat to sit on command this week? Share your training tips or a quick video.
💡 Example: "Share your best 'sit' training videos and tips below!"
Try introducing your cat to a new toy and describe their reaction. Funniest story gets a shout-out!
💡 Example: "I gave my cat a feather wand and she did a backflip! What did your cat do?"
Post a before-and-after photo of your cat's training progress this month.
💡 Example: "Here is Luna before and after learning to high five!"
Let’s do a 'treat puzzle challenge'! Show us how your cat solves their puzzle feeder.
💡 Example: "Watch my cat solve her treat ball in under a minute!"
Can your cat touch their nose to your finger? Try it and tell us how you taught them.
💡 Example: "I used treats to teach my cat the nose touch trick!"
Flash Challenge: Spend 5 minutes clicker training today and share what you worked on.
💡 Example: "We worked on 'sit' for five minutes with the clicker. Your turn!"
What is your cat’s favorite reward? Try using it in training and report how it goes.
💡 Example: "I used tuna for training. My cat loved it! What works for you?"
Share your best tip for litter box training and try someone else’s advice this week.
💡 Example: "I tried the covered box tip and it worked wonders!"
Weeklong Challenge: Practice 'stay' with your cat each day and update us midweek.
💡 Example: "Day three of 'stay' practice: my cat held position for five seconds!"
Can your cat learn their name? Practice calling them and tell us your results.
💡 Example: "After a week, Mittens responds to her name every time!"
Try leash training your cat for 10 minutes and share a photo of your adventure.
💡 Example: "Here is Whiskers exploring the backyard on his leash!"
What new command do you want your cat to learn? Set a goal and update us by Friday.
💡 Example: "I want my cat to learn 'high five' by Friday. Who is with me?"
Training challenge: Reduce unwanted scratching this week and share what methods worked.
💡 Example: "I used double-sided tape on my sofa and it worked!"
Test your cat’s agility with a homemade obstacle course. Post a video or describe your setup.
💡 Example: "Check out my cardboard box tunnel run!"
Challenge: Teach your cat to touch a target stick and share your process.
💡 Example: "We used a chopstick as a target stick and practiced each day."
Try rewarding your cat with play instead of treats and note any changes in behavior.
💡 Example: "Playing with a wand toy was more motivating for my cat than food!"
Can your cat do a spin? Teach them this trick and share your results with the group.
💡 Example: "Here is a video of my cat spinning on cue!"
Challenge: Try a new positive reinforcement method and tell us how your cat responded.
💡 Example: "I used clicker and treats, and my cat picked up 'sit' faster!"
Who can get their cat to wear a harness for five minutes? Share your tips or photos.
💡 Example: "We finally got the harness on! Here is our photo."
Flash poll: What is the hardest trick you have taught your cat? Try to improve it this week.
💡 Example: "The hardest for me is 'come.' I will work on it daily this week."
Try teaching your cat to 'high five' and upload your funniest attempt.
💡 Example: "Check out this video of my cat missing the high five!"
Share a photo of your cat's cutest training fail. The most adorable one gets featured!
💡 Example: "Here is my kitten falling asleep in the middle of training!"
Can you get your cat to use a scratching post every day this week? Share your progress.
💡 Example: "Day four and my cat is finally using the new post!"
Try a new command with your cat today and tell us how it went.
💡 Example: "I tried 'down' but my cat just blinked at me. Anyone have tips?"
Challenge: Share your best tip for calming a nervous cat during training sessions.
💡 Example: "I use Feliway spray and soft music to help my cat relax."
Try clicker training with your cat for the first time and share your experience.
💡 Example: "My cat was a bit confused at first but soon got the idea!"
Who can create the funniest training obstacle for their cat? Share a photo or video!
💡 Example: "Here is my cat jumping over a line of stuffed toys!"
Teach your cat to go to their bed on cue and post your progress by the end of the week.
💡 Example: "My cat now goes to her bed when I say 'bedtime'!"
Try training in a new room and note if your cat behaves differently. Share your observations.
💡 Example: "Training in the kitchen was a disaster for us. Too many smells!"
Can your cat follow a hand signal? Teach one this week and show us your results.
💡 Example: "My cat now sits when I raise my hand!"
Post your favorite cat training meme or gif to celebrate this week’s progress.
💡 Example: "Here is a gif of a cat doing a high five to sum up our week!"
How many days in a row can you train your cat this week? Share your streak!
💡 Example: "Made it to five days in a row! Anyone beat that?"
Try using a new treat for training and tell us if your cat liked it.
💡 Example: "I tried freeze-dried chicken and my cat loved it!"
Who can get the most creative with their clicker training reward? Share your idea.
💡 Example: "I used bubbles as a reward and my cat chased them everywhere!"
Share a funny or surprising outcome from a recent training session.
💡 Example: "My cat learned to open the treat jar instead of sitting!"
Try a group training session with a friend’s cat and compare notes here.
💡 Example: "My cat and my neighbor’s cat both learned 'sit' together."
Challenge: Teach your cat to touch a bell and show us your success or tips.
💡 Example: "My cat rings the bell for treats now!"
What is your biggest cat training win this month? Tell us and inspire the group.
💡 Example: "My biggest win: my cat now comes when called every time."
Pick a challenge template that fits your community's current skill level and interests. Announce it with clear steps, a time frame, and a small reward or shout-out for participation. Pin or highlight the challenge so everyone sees it. Invite members to post progress, photos, or questions as they go. At the end, recap the results, thank everyone, and spotlight standout participants to reinforce positive engagement.
These templates are designed to work on any platform, from forums to Facebook groups and Discord servers. Use platform features like pinned posts, hashtags, or threads to organize challenge entries. Encourage members to tag friends or use reaction features to cheer each other on. Adjust the format for the platform's preferred content style, such as using images or polls on social media.
To encourage consistent clicker training, create a structured challenge such as '21 Days of Clicker Cues,' where members share daily progress, videos, and troubleshoot issues like shaping or luring. Offer badges or highlights for milestones (e.g., first target touch, recall success). Incorporate weekly Q&As to address challenges like cats losing interest or confusion with cues.
Set up challenges like 'Scratch Post Success Stories,' where members post before-and-after photos, track their use of deterrents and positive reinforcement, and share tips for redirecting scratching. Include prompts about using pheromone sprays, different post materials, or environmental enrichment. Reward participation with features or expert feedback on their specific scenarios.
Offer tiered challenge prompts—'Beginner: Litter Box Consistency,' 'Intermediate: Sit & High Five,' 'Advanced: Tunnel Run.' Encourage members to self-select and post their progress in the appropriate thread. Provide resources for each level, such as video tutorials or troubleshooting FAQs for specific training setbacks like regression or distraction.
Create themed weeks, for example 'Peaceful Mealtimes Week,' where members share their setup for separate feeding stations, success with desensitization exercises, or enrichment solutions to minimize resource guarding. Encourage sharing of progress videos and discuss feline body language and stress signals specific to multi-cat training.
Clearly state in your challenge guidelines that the group prioritizes science-based, force-free methods. Encourage members to share experiences with target training, shaping, and positive reinforcement, while respectfully discussing why certain methods (like spray bottles or scruffing) are discouraged. Offer expert-led sessions or resources highlighting the benefits and safety of humane training approaches.
Break long-term challenges into weekly mini-goals, such as 'Week 1: Harness Introduction,' 'Week 2: Wearing the Harness Indoors,' and so on. Prompt members to share videos, progress logs, and setbacks. Celebrate small wins, spotlight creative techniques (like using high-value treats or clicker games), and host supportive check-ins to address common issues like cats freezing or backing out of harnesses.
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