Can You Teach a Maine Coon Tricks?

by Jeannie
(Florida)

Hi there! I have a playful one-year-old Maine Coon named Mungo, and he’s always surprising me with how smart he is.

Lately, he’s been bringing me his toys - sometimes even dropping them right at my feet like he wants me to do something with them!

It got me wondering... I’ve heard Maine Coons can actually learn tricks. Is that true?

And if so, what’s the easiest trick to start with? I’d love to try teaching Mungo something fun, but I have no idea where to begin!

Can You Teach a Maine Coon Tricks? Yes! Here’s Where to Start

Hi Jeannie! First of all, I love that Mungo is already bringing you his toys - he’s definitely giving you a hint that he’s ready for some next-level fun!

Maine Coons are incredibly smart and playful, and many of them take to training just like dogs.

If he’s already showing an interest in interacting with you this way, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to introduce some tricks.

Fetch might be a natural next step, but there are also some other fun and easy tricks to try. Let’s get into it!

What’s the Easiest Trick to Teach a Maine Coon?

The easiest trick to start with is usually “high five” or “shake paw.” Why?

Because Maine Coons love using their paws! They bat at toys, pat at their humans, and some even dip their food in water.

Teaching them to give a paw on command plays right into their natural tendencies. Plus, it’s a fun way to strengthen your bond with Mungo while reinforcing positive interactions.

Fetch is another great choice, especially since Mungo already likes to bring you toys.

Many Maine Coons pick up on fetch naturally, and if he’s halfway there, it won’t take much to turn it into a structured game!

How to Teach “High Five” (or “Shake”)

You’ll want to use positive reinforcement and maybe even a clicker if you have one. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Pick the Right Time: Mungo should be in a playful or treat-motivated mood but not too hyper. Right before mealtime can be perfect since he’ll be more interested in rewards.

2. Use a Treat as Lure: Hold a small treat in your hand and let Mungo see and smell it. Then, close your fist around it and wait. Most cats will instinctively reach out with a paw to investigate.

3. Reward the Motion: The moment he touches your hand with his paw, immediately reward him with a treat and some praise. You can say “Good job, Mungo!” or “Yes!” in an upbeat tone.

4. Introduce the Command: Once he’s consistently touching your hand, add the cue: “High five!” or “Shake!” right before he reaches out.

5. Gradually Raise Your Hand: Start by having him touch your hand while it’s close to the ground, then slowly raise it higher to resemble a real high five.

6. Practice in Short Bursts: Keep training sessions short—just a few minutes at a time—so he doesn’t lose interest.

7. Phase Out the Treats: Once he understands the trick, start rewarding every other time, then every few times, so he does it for fun and not just for food.

Teaching Fetch (Since Mungo Is Halfway There!)

Since Mungo already enjoys bringing toys to you, reinforcing fetch should be pretty easy. Here’s how to guide him into a real game:

1. Pick a Favorite Toy: Choose one of his favorite lightweight toys - something small enough to carry but not so tiny that it disappears under furniture.

2. Encourage the Carry: If he brings you a toy, praise him like crazy! Give him a treat and say something like, “Good fetch!” to reinforce that this is a fun and rewarding activity.

3. Add the Throw: Toss the toy just a short distance (a couple of feet away) and encourage him to grab it.

4. Call Him Back: When he picks it up, pat your lap or the floor near you to invite him back. If he comes back, even if he doesn’t drop the toy, reward him immediately so he knows that returning is part of the game.

5. Reinforce the Drop: If he brings it but doesn’t drop it, gently trade for a treat while saying “Drop it!” Then toss the toy again to keep the fun going.

6. Repeat in Short Sessions: Like with any trick, keep the sessions short and stop while he’s still interested so it remains a fun experience.

And don't worry if he gets a little sneaky about it! As Kathy shared about her Maine Coon mix, Fraser: "Fraser also loves to play catch! He has a favorite mouse toy or sometimes a ball.

But he hides the mice, and we never find them - so we keep buying more. One day we’ll probably uncover a giant stash!"

Other Fun Tricks to Try

Once Mungo masters his first trick, you might find that he’s eager to learn more! Here are a few other easy tricks to teach Maine Coons:

• Spin in a Circle: Use a treat to guide him in a small circle and reward when he completes it.


• Sit on Command: Use a treat above his head to get him to sit naturally, then introduce the word “sit.”


• Jump Through a Hoop: Start low and reward when he steps through, then slowly raise the height.




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Maine Coons are one of the most trainable cat breeds, and Mungo is already showing signs that he’s ready to learn!

Whether you start with high five, fetch, or another fun trick, the key is patience, positive reinforcement, and keeping it fun.

Before you know it, Mungo will be showing off his new skills - and you’ll have a great party trick to impress your friends!

Let us know how it goes - we’d love to hear if Mungo takes to training! 😊



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Maine Coons doing tricks: Many of our MCCN friends have their own versions of doing tricks!

Check out Centauri: Denny says: "He shakes hand, comes when you whistle for him (if he wants to), hi 5s, low 5s, rolls over and always ready for a head bump."



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Share your thoughts! Does your Maine Coon have any fun tricks they like to do? Tell us about it! ⬇️

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