Water/Vinegar for training? Opinions/Ratio

[Lesley]

I did not use vinegar. I wouldn't have used the spray bottle at all if I weren't so concerned about the door darting. We have trouble getting our 2 savannah kittens to hold back at food time as well. Our DSH rescues are very good about it. I give everyone treats in one area, the kittens understand that and everyone eats together. When the kittens get their real food, I have been feeding them in areas the older cats can't reach. Like the top of the washer. This keeps the older cats out of kitten food and allows them to eat more calmly. I think integration will not be a problem in the future.

 

[Lesley]

Here's a shot of our guys getting treats. Working toward this with regular food.

 

[John Campbell]

I did not use vinegar. I wouldn't have used the spray bottle at all if I weren't so concerned about the door darting. We have trouble getting our 2 savannah kittens to hold back at food time as well. Our DSH rescues are very good about it. I give everyone treats in one area, the kittens understand that and everyone eats together. When the kittens get their real food, I have been feeding them in areas the older cats can't reach. Like the top of the washer. This keeps the older cats out of kitten food and allows them to eat more calmly. I think integration will not be a problem in the future.

Vinegar is out for me... as well as corporal punishment. I don't like the water bottle either, but I can have her running out of the house either... Geez... Almost a catch 22.

Once she has full house freedom, will definitely have to keep CLOSE eye on the door... I know they can be fast... Having a tracking device does not help you when they hit traffic ;( if you know what I mean... It tore me up loosing Sylvester after 15 years and having 6 months to say goodbyes... To loose a young cat for no good reason is not excusable... My normal entry is via the garage door, and if she darts there, there is a much bigger door to stop her...

 

[John Campbell]

Here's a shot of our guys getting treats. Working toward this with regular food.

What is that behind your Black cat and the Gray/Silver cat... A Kitty Day Bed??? Guessing??? They look all well behaved.

 

[Dantes]

I found that spray bottles didn't really work with any of my cats over time. Maybe they saw it as a game? As far as vinegar goes, I'd spray that on things that I don't want them on, because they don't particularly like the smell of vinegar, or I'd use it to clean up urine-ugggh, but I wouldn't spray the cat with vinegar. I give Dante time-outs when he misbehaves, but frankly that's not working much either, except maybe in the short term to calm my nerves.

Anyway, I wouldn't predict bad behavior before you know what your kitty is like, my Duma is a perfect gentleman, except for the counter thing, and I've pretty much given up on that since he loves to sit at the top of the cabinet. He's got me trained.

 

[Lesley]

Vinegar is out for me... as well as corporal punishment. I don't like the water bottle either, but I can have her running out of the house either... Geez... Almost a catch 22.

Once she has full house freedom, will definitely have to keep CLOSE eye on the door... I know they can be fast... Having a tracking device does not help you when they hit traffic ;( if you know what I mean... It tore me up loosing Sylvester after 15 years and having 6 months to say goodbyes... To loose a young cat for no good reason is not excusable... My normal entry is via the garage door, and if she darts there, there is a much bigger door to stop her...

I understand completely. Good news, Spar's door darting stopped completely after a couple of days. And I only actually used the spray bottle twice. After that I just showed it to him. Now, when he sees us go to the door, he follows us but stops or moved away from the door if he is there already. Of course, we baby talk to him the whole time. He is not afraid, but understands not to dart.

 

[John Campbell]

I found that spray bottles didn't really work with any of my cats over time. Maybe they saw it as a game? As far as vinegar goes, I'd spray that on things that I don't want them on, because they don't particularly like the smell of vinegar, or I'd use it to clean up urine-ugggh, but I wouldn't spray the cat with vinegar. I give Dante time-outs when he misbehaves, but frankly that's not working much either, except maybe in the short term to calm my nerves.

Anyway, I wouldn't predict bad behavior before you know what your kitty is like, my Duma is a perfect gentleman, except for the counter thing, and I've pretty much given up on that since he loves to sit at the top of the cabinet. He's got me trained.

Thanks for the info... I was planning on coating my computer and audio visual wires with Vinegar as a deterrent. They should not chew on anything that they cannot stand the taste of Anyone who has watched my posts knows I am a gadget person, and I have TONS on of items networked... Geez... I even have my DSLR Nikon networked to where it saves the images off to a network drive and I have a computer that is dedicated to my kitchen... and that is only a VERY MINOR start.

 

[Lesley]

Any cords or wires ours are attracted to I wrap in either gorilla tape or an electrical cord sleeve. They don't seem to like chewing on either:

 

[admin]

John, you never sound dumb or uneducated...just a newbie owner looking for advice

You have been given LOTS of good advice, so you should be all set! Just kidding...

You can use scat mats for door darters rather than spray bottles...

 

[Dantes]

Thanks for the info... I was planning on coating my computer and audio visual wires with Vinegar as a deterrent. They should not chew on anything that they cannot stand the taste of Anyone who has watched my posts knows I am a gadget person, and I have TONS on of items networked... Geez... I even have my DSLR Nikon networked to where it saves the images off to a network drive and I have a computer that is dedicated to my kitchen... and that is only a VERY MINOR start.

Honestly, it sounds like you're predicting failure. I have tons of equipment in this house (I have a computer repair/network business, and I'm a programmer), somewhere on this site is a photo of my server room, I have wires everywhere, even in the bedroom, and a set of wires runs right next to one of their cat towers, and none of my three chew on them. Well, Dante will start to chew if he's hungry and dinner hasn't been served yet, but otherwise, nothing. I'd suggest just making sure they're all wrapped up tidy in velcro and sleeves and worry about it if she goes for them, otherwise you might draw too much attention to them. Actually, I find that they mostly pay attention to what I pay attention to....

Think happy thoughts of peaceful kitty playing with her toys