The dinner bell

[dun1urkin]

I've decided to train my cats to come running when they hear a bell ringing (for times when they are out, and I want them in)
They already come to the sound of a wet pouch being shaken, but a bell sound will carry further.
So I've acquired a tinkly bell, and started to ring it lightly when I feed them. So far so good in theory, except boycat (the greediest) is scared of the noise. Girlcat is less bothered.
Is this a mistake? Am I going to give boycat a complex? Please let me know your experiences...

Try using the bell when cats aren't in the room and you shake the pouch. Then stop the bell. That way is paired with the arrival of food rather than disturbing eating.

I only have to rustle a plastic packet and my pair come flomping along. (Couldn't describe it as running). They'd never be able to relate a bell to food. They are a bit thick!

I just whistled before every feed, then just down to their treat feed - half a pouch shared before fed.

Perhaps the bell is too harsh a sound?

Will give that a try, I think that's a good idea.
Although the 'when they aren't in the room' made me as a rule, if I am in the room, they are in the room.
If I could tape and broadcast the sound of me doing a wee that'd work a treat - our morning routine is wake up, do a wee, feed the cats. So they get excited whenever I do a wee....

Maybe the sound is too harsh. Hmm.
Maybe I should record the sound of me pissing

Ours were 2 when we got them, learnt quickly enough!

Dog learnt too, even though she doesn't actually get fed...

@toddlerteaplease flomping

I rattled my keys when I wanted mine to come in.

Ours respond to a high pitched whistle. LongGirlCat responds to the rattle of a spoon in a yoghurt pot!

I gave the bell the lightest of tinkles before breakfast this morning. He was hesitant but didn't leg it. I'm going to persist, but take it very slowly.

Ours now appears when even half asleep! He'll thud off the bed, then after another whistle thunder down the stairs and collapse... def hard wired into his subconscious.

We have a bell but it is paired with a Thrive treat. Dr Mewler drops anything she's doing when she hears that bell. Everyone knows that if they even slightly move the bell she must have a treat and if they want to give her a treat they must also ring the bell, even if she's there waiting. Thrive are expensive but she only gets one each time and we only need to call her once or twice a week at most. Best thing I did cat-wise