2 Simple ways to teach your cat.
By Aingealicia
@Aingealicia (1905)
United States
January 27, 2008 2:44pm CST
My roomie and I have 2 cats, Marshmallow and Prince. Prince is a pain at times and gets into everything. Marshmallow found us and claimed us because all cat owners know we do not pick the cat the cat picks us.
Anyway, with Marshmallow she has a tendency to get up on counters. I cook a lot so this is not an acceptable decision on the cats part.
Prince had a habit of jumping on my dresser and scratching at the door.
Notice the word had.
To correct these issues with the two of them this is what we did.
The first tip is take a spay bottle fill with regular water. Put the nozzle on mist. Every time that your kitty does something you don't like, spray him or her. This will teach them you are not ok with this and they do learn. Just like with children, be consistent. It is one of the most non evasive, non blood pressure rising, non angry ways to deal with your kitty's misbehavior.
The second is get either a glass jar or coffee tin that is metal. Place some pennies in it, the more the better. When the kitty misbehaves shake the can. Oh does Prince hate this but let me tell you he does not even think about scratching at the door or jumping on my dresser anymore.
They both detest the water.
They are now almost well behaved kitties. Also never correct them if they are not doing something wrong. This will in steal distrust and anger towards you from your cat. You may find a present in your shoes, on your clothes, or they may just shred you with their nails.
2 people like this
4 responses
@viliux27 (103)
• Lithuania
28 Jan 08
The spraying was the weapon I used.
It worked for a month, but then my cat got brave and didn't run away :)
I didn't want him to soke wet so I thought of a better way (since my cat is called Bandit for a reason)
If my cat misbehaves I hit him on the paw.Then he hits me back...After a bit of time this get into a real fight, but i allways win (i have good hand armor) so when i show him that he cant hurt me, he runs from me :)
This is working until today, but is you dont like to have a wound or so - don't do it :)
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Oh I play with Prince, his mommy rejected him so he needed kitty time. He bites me and grabs me and then when I get him a fake mouse he will actually fetch it. I tell him all the time he is a dog trapped in a cats body. For some reason he still does not believe me.
Aingealicia
1 person likes this
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
30 Jan 08
That is what the pennies are for. They hate the sound, good luck there.
Aingealicia
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
27 Jan 08
Oh this is very good information, I always thought it impossible to train a cat, I always thought they were jusy too independent, maybe you should be called a cat whisperer.... thank you great info...
1 person likes this
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Well thank you and I would love that. My little guy is learning this week not to scratch my furniture. So discipline only when they are behaving badly or it numbs them or they become skittish.
Good luck there with your little one.
Aingealicia
Oh yes and remember always let them think they are your owners, they are much nicer with the claws then.
1 person likes this
@gantwick (849)
• United States
27 Jan 08
I dunno, Ainge, I think you're getting a bit controversial on this one. You like living on the edge? LOL!
Actually, those are both excellent ways of doing a little attitude adjustment on cats. Gracie Lou (our cat) is not too fond of water. She starts to run when she sees us reach for the spray bottle. Another thing that works is shaking a plastic grocery bag.
Never tried the penny can idea. But I think she'll respond to that as well.
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Prince did. He even sees me grabbing for the can and he runs.
Also he plays in the bags, will climb in my laundry bag, and when we moved from Staten Island to where we are now. He packed himself. Go figure. LOL
I know,I love controversy as I am sure you have read. LOL
Ainge
1 person likes this
