Is there a way to train a cat from jumping on counters and banging on doors?

Question

My cat is about 2 years old. He is constantly jumping on my counters and on the mantel above my fireplace knocking off and breaking picture frames and other things. At night, I can't let him in my room because he jumps up onto the dressers and gets into everything. I shut my door but he bangs to get in. Then I put him downstairs and he will bang on that door to get upstairs which is right outside my bedroom door. Any suggestions on how I can get him to stop doing these things? I know this is normal for cats....but it's to the point where he keeps me up all night. He has already been neutered and his front paws were de-clawed.

Answer 1

the squirt gun is a great idea. my cats just wince and run away when they see it.
my friend also put duct tape on places the cat would jump onto. a little cruel but she said it worked.

Answer 2

I agree with the squirt gun/bottle method. Cats hate water, and that will help, when you are around. Of course, when you are gone, the cat will know you can't get to the water, so they act accordingly.

With one cat, you might be able to house-proof the cat. I have 11, so I just have to cat-proof the house! LOL

You need to reinforce that there is something the cat does NOT like on the places you don't want him to jump up on. For instance, place some citrus scented potpourri on the dresser or the fireplace mantle. Cats hate the smell of citrus. It may keep him off the things.

As for the door thing, the cat has learned that you will open the door when he "bangs", whatever that is. You'll just have a few sleepless nights teaching this one, but if you stop opening the door for the kitty, kitty will learn that banging does no good.

Please keep in mind that cats are VERY independent creatures. Training a cat isn't really possible, but you can CONVINCE a cat to do the things you want him to do. But you have to make the cat want to do it. I know it sounds silly, but it is strangely true.

Answer 3

Ok, this can be messy, the water bottle thing does work, but only when you are home, I read an article (I didnt try it though because she just stopped on her own) that you can take a shallow pan (the disposable ones from the dollar store) and put water in it and put it on the edge of the counter, when they jump they hit the water and they say they put that if they jump on the counter they hit water. Now, again I didn't try this because she stopped and I was close to trying it, but the thought of the mess in the kitchen scared me, but if he is 2 years old and keeps doing this, it could be a last resort. You can also try that sticky paper they sell at pet stores to keep cats from scratching on furniture and going onto places they aren't suppose to be. Also if you are home, you can try what I call the "bad cat can" it was a can filled with pennies and every time she did something she wasn't suppose to do I would shake the can really loudly. The water bottle, for my cat, didn't work, the cat loves water :) Good luck!

Answer 4

During the day use a spray bottle, I have a cat that all the other dislike (she has leukemia), they are always jumping on things trying to get her ( she sleeps and stay on top of Doll case and top of Television stand. I spray them and they leave her alone for a while. Thy now know that when I shake the water bottle and they are doing something bad they will get sprayed. I don't have to spray them much now days because when I shake the bottle they head the other way. I still have the problem with the dressers and if I shut the doors they bang because thy want to be with you at night. My husband and I gave up on shutting the door. We have 6 to 9 cats in bed with us each night and no more banging on the door. If it gets really bad at night you can buy a cage place a cat bed, litter box and food and water in it and put the cat in there at night, put the cage in the room with you at night. Maybe he's lonely go to shelter and get him a friend to keep him company. At night while I am on the computer, I find some of cats (2 or more asleep in the same chair cuddling together. Good Luck Remember when they start to jump up spray him and after a while he will stop when you shake the spray bottle he will stop. Cat are climber and you might want a scratching post that is about 3-7 feet tall and he will climb up and have a ball on it.

Answer 5

Hi, I'm not an expert, but I have several suggestions that have worked for me & my cats in similar situations:

1 - use a squirt gun & spray him with water (not in his eyes) when he gets up on counters or places he shouldn't be. It doesn't hurt, & can keep him away from potentially dangerous situations, but it is a negative reinforcement.

2 - he may be bored, lonely &/or have alot of pent up energy. Try & give him at least a solid15 minutes of play with interactive toys (string, etc.) that will help tire him out before bedtime. Since he's still a relative youngster, the more playtime the better.

3 - is there a room he can stay in at night with his own comfy cat bed? If so, give him a 'treat' (small bit of canned food, etc.) only in this room at bedtime after his play. pet him & take him to his treat - make it a good thing rather than a punishment he dreads. Don't put him in this room until you're ready to go to bed, because if he hears you, he'll probably start yeowling to get out.

4- he may be wanting more attention from you - & this seems a good way to get it, even if its negative attention. If so, try to give him more cuddle time each day & again, more play & activity to tire him out when its time to go to bed.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I've managed to teach my cats to not jump on the kitchen counters and kitchen table- though they will still do it some if they think I am not watching. You may need to get a squirt gun or squirt bottle to help with that.

As for the banging on the door, ignore him. He will eventually figure out that he's not getting what he wants like that. If he doesn't, crate him so he can't jump on things or bang on the door.

Good luck!

Answer 7

He's either nocturnal, or he's trying to get your attention. My oldest is 4--male, fixed, not declawed, big brother to 2 others, hates to be held but loves to be pet and very rarely meows--and does this when the food dish is empty, water bowl is empty, litter box needs cleaning, or he wants to play. When I know he's got food and water and a clean litter box, I chalk it up to either wanting to play with either me, or he does it to get the attention of the other two so they'll play with him.

Squirt gun or water bottle. My cats live in fear of mine; I can't water my ficus plant without them running at the sound of the bottle bumping up against the file cabinet drawer it hangs on.

Answer 8

well i have a male cat that just kinda waundered up to my house. and the first time he jumped up on my counters and thing i hate to say it but a smacked him a real good one off of the counters and he has not been up there since.

Answer 9

Cats are fairly untrainable in my experience. All we've ever managed is the litterbox, and they sort of did that on their own.