Are Squirt bottles bad for training purposes for animals?

Question

I have a kitten and my roommates have a puppy. We are having issues with the animals being around each other because the puppy is chasing the kitten non stop. When the kitten is on the ground, the puppy will pin the kitten down and play very rough, sometimes pulling on the kitten. The kitten is learning to get to higher grounds to avoid the puppy though. Even though the kitten is on higher grounds, the puppy still goes nuts and obsesses over the kitten by trying to jump on the furniture to get to the kitten. It is starting to damage our furniture, and it is getting really old fast. Its to the point where its a bother to have them in the same room. Soooooo I was told that squirt bottles are a good method for behavior training. But then I did some further research online, and some people are highly against it. I was hoping to get more opinions or another method that will work.

Answer 1

The problem with spray bottles is that if the animal see that YOU are spraying them they only become terrified or aware of your presence. Meaning when you are asleep or away, they will continue to do what they want. If you are able to very sneakily spray them without them seeing you, then leaving the spray bottle at home when you are gone or sleeping this may work but it is VERy tricky.

You need to show the puppy that the kitty is dominant over it for the safety of the kitten. do this by sitting on the couch. The kitten in your lapp and the puppy by you. Dont let the puppy try to touch, bark or sniff the kitten until it is CALM. If the puppy tries, you need to stop it by making a quick "SHHH" noise and a quick touch to the neck of the dog. This is similar to a mother's bite which is how dogs are naturally trained.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I prefer POSITIVE reinforcement methods of training (such as clicker training), as opposed to "aversion" methods... here's why:

Puppies and kittens crave attention. ANY attention. If the only attention they get is negative attention (ie: getting yelled at, or squirted for doing something wrong) then they are going to keep doing whatever it was that got them the attention—even if it was the WRONG kind of attention.

You want to reinforce DESIRABLE behaviors, not undesirable behaviors. Lavish attention on both animals when they interact in a positive manner. Deal with negative behaviors by calmly separating the animals and then ignoring the offending animal. (I close my youngest cat in the bedroom for a while if he is being too rough with my eldest cat and needs an attitude adjustment. When they play well together, they both get treats and praise.) Reward good behaviors with lots of attention (and/or treats).

If you see that the puppy is about to go after the kitten, see if you can distract him with a toy. Sometimes all you need to do is re-direct his energy into a different activity. (Call his name and roll a ball away from where the kitten is.)

Animals are quite smart. They will soon realize that the way to get what they want is to give you what YOU want... peaceful coexistence.

Answer 3

Spray bottles are good. Just be sure to spray when the animal is doing the wrong deed or action, not after the fact. They will either start to stop or ignore the water, but no its not bad to use them. Just bad to use them to extremes.

Tell the animal no in a stern voice or even putting one in the opposite room when misbehaving may work. I use to have to lightly flick my cat's ear when it hissed at people or got on the table, but that was only if I was right there, usually the water bottle is what I did or do.

Answer 4

The puppy is trying to play, and a water bottle for excessive roughness would prolly help... cats and dogs that are raised from babies together get along great when they are older. I have 14 week old Corgis and 12 week old cats that I'm raising together, and they all play just fine, when I see that things are getting a little to rough on my cats, I break up the play, otherwise, my kittens and pups play great together, they play chase, tackel, etc.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say that water is bad. But for some pets, it is ineffective. I've had more success with a loud, firm voice in training my critters.

Since the pup is the problem, you're going to have to train him to leave the cat alone. It is possible: My mother has a house full of dogs, and one ancient cat who barely bothers paying attention to them.

You might want to start by crating the pup so he can't chase the cat. Then letting him out on a leash so you can control him.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Squirt bottles/guns are good trainers...also for the puppy..
keep his leash on him in the house, when he goes to chase the kitten, step hard or grab the leash stopping him and saying "NO" firmly and loudly (not shouting). This worked on my dog in about 6 days.

Answer 7

I use a spray bottle on my cats when they are doing things they arent supposed to be doing. For example, chewing on electrical cords, climbing on bathroom counters or other high places i dont want them on. It works really well and doesnt affect them at all. They are still happy and extremely playful. I jsut spray them once and say "NO" in a stern voice everytime. It will eventually get to the point where you wont have to spray them anymore. All you will have to do is say No or shake the water bottle. As soon as they see me reach for the water bottle they stop.
I dont see why it would be any different for dogs.

Answer 8

Its perfectly fine, a light spritz just startles them and since animals don't like being surprised the puppy will connect the cat with the water and learn to avoid her.

Answer 9

no way! squirt bottles are GREAT. spraying an animal with a little water is NOT abusive. some people mix theirs with a LITTLE vinegar to put the smell into the spray, and i guess that could be seen as cruel if you get it in the animal's eye, but in general, no, squirt bottles are good.

Answer 10

Punishment is cruel.

Dogs are predators. Cats are killed by them.

You might try a crate for the puppy. Train him to be happy in there. This is a tough call. You could also build a perch - a 4x4 on a base with a shelf on the top, all covered with carpet to keep the kitten safe.

There is really no easy way to protect her. They will NEVER be friends with a dog like that.