I just adopted my cat today and I don't want to have to bring him back to the animal shelter. I don't want to declaw him either.I need to know what are some good training techniques I can try.Also, name suggestions would be helpful.
The first thing I would do is get him a cat scratcher and place it right next to the sofa. If he has already seemed to be scratching your sofa, try to pick out a scratcher that has the same type of texture. Otherwise, I would try a cardboard scratcher (they are like $5-7 from Petsmart), and it comes with catnip. You sprinkle the catnip onto the scratcher, and then it will distract him from going to your couch. However, you may need to do a little more to keep him away. What I did with my cat was purchase a small spray bottle, fill it with water, and every time she tried to play with the wires around my nightstand (that was her bad habit) I sprayed her with the water. Just a small spray once or twice. Cats HATE water, so she would run away really quickly. Now she has completely stopped, because she associates the wires with getting sprayed. But of course, water is harmless so it's a positive way of disciplining your cat. I hope this advice is useful! =)
1) Get a scratching post. You can easily make them with strong cardboard tubes some old carpet. I find my kittens like scratching in the natural fiber door mats. 2) In pet shops you should be able to find sticky pads that make it unpleasant to scratch. 3) reward the cat with a food treat when you see it scratching on the pad or other approved area. 4) Use a loud clap, stomp and Low voice when you see the cat scratching the sofa. 5) be patient. Make sure the cat has toys (empty boxes, drinking straws, wool are all cheap toys) Good luck :)
Don't make him to get declaw,people don't have any idea of how this procedure is done.Is really painful and after the cat is declaw some time they get into depression or aggression.Declaw is like if somebody cut your finger in the middle.I work in an animal hospital an assist surgeries.
What texture is the sofa? I've found that over the years my cats don't scratch a leather sofa but they do cloth ones, especially textured ones. Like the others have suggested, a spray of water can deter innaproppriate behaviour. Make sure you provide a scratch pole too. OMG isn't cat declawing illegal. It is here in Australia. Don't do that. It's really cruel and painful :(
