How do i teach my cat that NO means NO?

Question

My cat is a big trouble maker! He goes on the table. Even when im eating! How do i teach him what no means!?

Answer 1

A grown up cat? I don't think you can do anything about that.

There is this quote in Arabic which says something like "you cannot/raise an old cat". When Arabs say it, they mean that an old man cannot learn something new (by making refernce to cats who cannot be taught anything once they grow).

Answer 2

You can't teach a cat what no means! Cats aren't social animals, they don't understand the concept of obedience. Dogs can be trained to listen when you say no because they're programmed to respond to authority... cats acknowledge no authority!

What you should really do is put your cat in another room when you're eating, and not leave food out when you're gone. Or, feed your cat at the same time you eat, so he's distracted by his own food and leaves you alone.

If you MUST... A spray bottle is okay to make cats stop doing something. Cats hate being sprayed, so if you spray him a little tiny bit when he jumps on the table, he'll jump back down. He might actually learn not to jump on the table... but it's NOT because he's learning that "no means no."

Alternately, you can use a tin can with pennies inside. If you shake this, they'll hate the loud, startling sound, and jump back down off the table.

Also, if you just pick him up and put him back on the floor every time he goes on the table, eventually he just won't even bother to jump up, as long as you're there.

Answer 3

Consistency! You have to continue to enforce that its not okay. I use a sound and a consequence and then eventually it only takes the sound. The best sound is one that sounds like a hissing sound, I make a PSSSSSSSST sound and my cats are very trained to it. It's basically speaking a language that they can understand. I also use a squeaky mousy sound to mean come here, which they obey.
So in the beginning you have to enforce the sound. Hiss at the cat, say no, and then put him down off the table. When he doesn't obey the first time (which he won't) then take it to the next level: put the cat in another room, like the bathroom, or put him outside. Something the cat isn't going to like is the important part and do it consistently.
Other alternatives are a water spray bottle. Put it on stream and enforce your hissing/no sound with a spray of water, they HATE that! Another alternative is a can of coins that you shake and make a loud scary noise. But again, use your no sound everytime because eventually the cat will associate your no sound with the event and you won't have to do anything else.
Cats are very, very smart and they will do what works for them so stick with it and eventually your cat will obey. But don't use physical force against them, this will just hurt their feelings and break down the bond between you. You can train a cat and you will have a happier relationship for it!

Answer 4

Pick up a blackboard and a pointy stick (this will impress the cat very much.)

Then draw on the blackboard "No = No"

When the cat looks to be ready. Get it to come up to the blackboard and repeatedly write: No = No
until you're sure he's got it.

Worked for Bart eventually :-)

*Sorry I have trained budgies flying round the house, so can't really help with cat problem.

Answer 5

You have to say "NO" the same way every time. The tone in your voice lets an animal know when you are happy or angry with them. (Hence why you can say "I'm gonna eat you" in a sweet voice and they'll purr and purr.)

Anyways, say NO each time and then pick it up and place it on the floor.

Or, use the water bottle. I don't recommend ever being physically firm with your cat as this can cause it to be timid and afraid of people.

Answer 6

I invested in a 99 cent spray botttle, filled it with water, and sprayed them every time the lil suckers did it. They were good after a while and learned, however.... we were out of town for a week and had some friends feeding them. We found out they were being treated to table scraps and now there is WAY too much tempation to jump on the table and dig in the garbage.

It's they're crack. Anyways, I have to go through the process all over again.

Answer 7

Your cat runs your house, plain and simple. Cats are hard to break once grown, you have to teach them young.

Answer 8

I tried 'no' (loud male voice) and it made him scared of me and a nervous wreck. Face it. All they respond to is love. Whenever it does it, put a sized 2-liter soda bottle(ends cut off and slit down the middle so you can put it around the cat's middle, comfortably) while its on the couch, saying no,no,no, then put it down and leave it on him/her all evening. It should get the point ( with no harshness and no pain.)

Answer 9

I agree, add a small amount of vinegar to a spray bottle of water, works on almost every cat. They hate getting wet and the vinegar makes it just that much worse because of the taste.

Answer 10

well my vet said dont use a water gun some cats start to urinate in house but my boss uses it works for him if not then be consistant may give u a headache and annoy u but if do enough they get the hint and use ur i mean it voice dont the cat use his best suck up... i give in way to much but on some things nope worth a try