this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2024
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Just remember that cats don’t really learn from negative reinforcement. You’ve got to reward the behaviors you want from them with treats. They don’t have the cognition to associate punishment with the action they were just doing, they only see it as an attack of some kind.
Well since my cat runs away whenever I come near after he has done something bad and doesn't want to get sprayed by the spray bottle, I think he is just intentionally an asshole.
Some cats absolutely understand rules they just don't give a shit. Some of them also understand the concept of getting caught they just don't expect or understand consequences. At most they will try to hide what they are doing (like hiding in the sink when being on the kitchen counter is illegal for cats in my household) but they will show no remorse. Smartest cat I ever had just waited until I wasn't home to do all the shit that wasn't allowed.
Also, if they're repeatedly getting up on areas you don't want them to, it probably means they don't have enough perches they are allowed up on in the area. Cat's naturally like to perch to observe their territory. If they're getting up on the kitchen table for instance, put perches or even a whole cat tree near it. Eventually they'll learn to use the new perch instead of the table, sometimes even naturally if the perch is higher and more comfortable.
Tell that to Garfield, that piece of work has been kicking Odie off the table since 1978.
Good to know thank you!