Teaching 7-month old to use cat flap

[LargeProsecco]

I've just had a cat flap installed in my ground floor flat patio doors so that my 7-month old kitten can go outside.

He's microchipped so I bought a Sure-flap microchip entry/exit one.

He's managed to get the hang of getting outside - but not back in.

Tried the usual Dreamies, catnip mouse etc to tempt him back in but we're not getting there so far.

Any suggestions?

I had to tape ours open for one of mine until he got the hang of it

I used to wait till dinner time then open the door to call him, and quickly close it - so he had to get in if he wanted his dinner. A couple of times DD stood in the outside to nudge him in, while I had the bowl waiting. He is quite motivated by food though; they aren’t all like that!

We had to post DCat through a few times (quickly followed by a handful of Dreamies) before he got it.
He's a bit dim.

We've tried putting him head-first in it - but by the time we struggle with getting him in to position, the mechanism for the flap closure is off (it's triggered by the proximity of the microchip) and the damn thing shuts.

He seems afraid/lacking confidence in putting his head in the tunnel bit.

And he loves being outside so no incentive to come back in - even Dreamies!

Tape it open so he can get used to the clicky noise as he just goes through without having to push the flap. Mine hated it at first but got used to it fairly quickly and now use it as a doorbell - if DFluffyCat can see me in the conservatory she sticks her head in so it clicks constantly until I open the back door for her

Another vote for taping it open. Not the best weather for it though.

One of ours never learned he could go through it both ways - went out normally, but to come back in he pulls it up towards him with a claw. Clever but also very very dumb, that boy.