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Old May 6th 05, 01:33 AM
Cheryl
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On Thu 05 May 2005 01:39:25p, kaeli wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav
):

In article ,
enlightened us with...
My 2 cats like to claw things(especially me!) I don't want to
declaw them, but I doupt I can afford to buy any Soft Paws. Is
there an easier way to keep them from clawing without training
them?


You want easy with no training? Remove the items from your home.


Now, since we know that isn't going to happen...
All changes in behavior are a result of training. Softclaws are
meant to be used as a training aid, not as a replacement for
training. Like those head halter collar things for dogs. They
don't teach in and of themselves. They simply give you a means
to an end. You still have to show the animal the proper behavior
and PRAISE IT.

Stop thinking of training as some huge, horrible, lengthy
process that you aren't capable of. It is small things,
throughout the day, on a daily basis. Consistency is the key.

Clip their nails (or pay the whole $5 for a groomer to do it) to
reduce damage.
Start correcting their behavior. Give them acceptable things to
claw and praise the hell out of them for using them. Redirect
inappropriate scratching to appropriate things and make
inappropriate things less attractive (scent them with citrus or
move them or put tape on them or whatever). When you see them
using the right thing, PRAISE THEM. Give a treat, a pet,
playtime, whatever. Something positive to them. When you catch
them doing the wrong thing, interrupt the behavior (clap, NO,
penny-can, etc), then call, coax, or bring them to the right
place, and PRAISE THEM. It isn't rocket science, I promise.

Remember -- inappropriate or "wrong" are simply human
definitions. The cat doesn't attach a monetary value to your
couch.

You don't expect a dog not to chew the "wrong" things or a child
not to draw on the "wrong" things simply by osmosis. Don't
expect a cat to just not claw the "wrong" things, either. Teach
it.


Nicely put. This post should be part of an FAQ if anyone ever puts
one together.

--
Cheryl

"The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited
breath."
- W.C. Fields