Cats!

clsCorwin

Or rather my 8 month old kitten. Hes a little devil, and constantly jumped on tables and counters (where we have fish, and other such food) and will dig right into your food if you don't watch out. We have a spray bottle. It deters at the moment when used, be he never faikls to return. Dunking him in water does not even help deter him.

Any ideas on how I can get him to behave?

Sir Red of the Manti

Loud noises tend to work. Either use a hand-held vacuum or shake a can with some rocks in it and watch the hilarity ensue. He should learn after a few rounds of that, but make sure to stay on him.

MichaelLC

With all animals, it's repetition, repetition, repetition.
see what I did there?

We actually had pretty good XMas this year because we kept on our cat whenever he'd go for the tree. Everytime he started to chew...BAM - water in the face/backside.

With cats, I've heard it helps if you can get them to associate the unpleastentness with what their actions, and not you - i.e., they don't care if you don't want them jumping up, but if they think jumping = water, it holds better.

DrZiplock

I've been training my two kittens as well.

However, they like water..thus...the spray bottle solution is right out.

They have, however, developed a healthy respect for my Nerf Magnum handgun. Not so much that I would shoot them with it (though, they have taken a body shot). The sound of it cocking and then firing is loud enough to freak them out.

Now I just need to look at it and they're all "oh god..I wasn't up there. sorry sorry sorry. Look I'm purring! purrrr. love me?"

zhen_rogue

Buy a roll of packing tape (the clear stuff - about 2" wide).

Tear strips of tape about 18"-24" long, and lay them face up along the perimeter of counters, tables, desks, appliances, etc. at night (when you can't use a spray bottle).

After a night or two of getting itself wound up/captured in tape - it won't hop up there again.

tony_important

zhen_rogue wrote:

Buy a roll of packing tape (the clear stuff - about 2" wide).

Tear strips of tape about 18"-24" long, and lay them face up along the perimeter of counters, tables, desks, appliances, etc. at night (when you can't use a spray bottle).

After a night or two of getting itself wound up/captured in tape - it won't hop up there again.

I think I'm going to do this at my girlfriend's house for kicks.

her cat is outta control, and it drives me nuts.

clsCorwin

zhen_rogue wrote:

Buy a roll of packing tape (the clear stuff - about 2" wide).

Tear strips of tape about 18"-24" long, and lay them face up along the perimeter of counters, tables, desks, appliances, etc. at night (when you can't use a spray bottle).

After a night or two of getting itself wound up/captured in tape - it won't hop up there again.

Genious, pure genious. I will let you know how this goes. And the hilarity of it, too

Heir

I find a can of compressed air (air duster) works better than a spray bottle, as you don't actually have to hit them. The noise sounds like a hissing cat and when I use it both of our kitties tear out of the room faster than a speeding bullet.

But I second (or third?) the tape idea. Foil works well too.

Vindicta_

I'd be careful with the tape idea, as if it gets them too well and they're on top of something tall, they might not be falling on to their feet.

clsCorwin

Hilarity did indeed ensue. My older cat who didn't really have the problem bit first. We were upstairs, and with all the noise she made, it sounded like a plastic bag gained sentience and decided to charge up the stairs. I waited patiently for another 12 hours before the wee kitten took his turn, and it was just funny watching him gnaw at the tape.