Training 2 Bengal Kittens
 

I don't know what else to do!
I have two regular domestic cats that are sooo good.
Whenever the domestic cats, Chloe and Zoe get into something they shouldn't or jump on the kitchen counters all I did was spray them with water with a mini water gun. It did not take them long to figure out where they are not a loud to go.

But these two new bengal kittens I got are brats! They keep jumping up on the kitchen counters. There's never anything on the counters for them to eat/drink/get into. I find them in the sinks usually. I tried the water gun, I tried clapping loudly and yelling at them hahaha.. they do run away as soon as they hear me walk into the kitchen... so they know they're not suppose to be on the counters ...
But they keep jumping on the counters

What would you do ???? :shrug:

Hi

I know u can busy something called a scat mat I think it is called. You put it on the counter and when they jump up on it they'd get a little shot.

I use to put double sided tape on a plastic place mat and duct tape that to the counter. When the cats jumped up they'd get on the sticky tape and they wouldn't like it. They soon stop jumping up on it, plus they wouldn't get scared of me because I was yelling or shooting them with water.

Hmm.. double sided tape. Thanks I'll give it a try !

I would assume they're running away when you walk into the kitchen because they are afraid of your behavior, not because they know they're not allowed on the counters :shrug:.

I know lots of ppl who've had success with double-sided tape. Not sure if this would work with cats but how about rolling out aluminum foil along the counters. It worked great as a deterrent for our dogs when we had the "no dogs allowed on the sofas" rule.

You know... you both might be right about why they run when they hear me walk into the kitchen. Possibly jumping off the counters because they are afraid of my behavior.
So I'm going to try the aluminum foil first because that is what I have right now!

Thank you for the suggestion!

You might get more responses if this question had been posted in the thread "Cat Behaviour", rather than under "Dog and cat food".

Anyhoo, there is another product you might try: "SSSCAT" is an aerosal can that emits a spray when motion is detected. Most pet stores carry it. [url]http://cats.about.com/cs/behavior2/gr/scccat.htm[/url] I have used this with good success, and solves the problem of you being connected with a punishment.

Bengals, by nature, are lively cats and do like to be up high on things. A tall cat tree placed near a window, preferably south side to get the sun, is a necessity for this breed. Maybe you should have got Munchkin kittens instead?...they're the "Dachsunds" of the cat world---no jumping on tables or counters for them! [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchkin_(cat[/url]) :cat:

Cats do not understand why you are yelling. They just know that your loud voice is scary so they run. I don't know why anyone would want cats who are afraid of them. From what I have read bengals are supposed to be a very intelligent cat. (I would hope so for the price paid for them:rolleyes:) That being so it is going to take gentle consistency to train them. When you see them doing something undesirable like being on a counter you take them down gently. Every single time. If you must make a loud noise then do it quickly. One "no" stated firmly and consistently.
Here are some methods for training your cats. I'm sure with time and patience you will find the successful one.
[url]http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/counter_surfing.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2174&aid=1063[/url]

Please do not use scat mats. I don't think any product that hurts an animal is worth it.

OMG munchkins...how cute is that!

Oups.. wrong place to ask !

I did try the aluminum foil and that did not work. I found one of the bengals sitting on it, I'm guessing it didn't bother her.
I have the two sided tape on the counter and I can see that they don't like it and its so far working...
No I will never get any product that would hurt my cats.

I'm also going to try to put some empty tin water bottles on the edges of the counter to block them and if they try to jump through them they will fall and make a loud noise.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone and next time I will be sure to post in the appropriate topic.

Cats like to be up high, hence why your counter is so attractive to them. I've only got one cat who constantly gets on the counters, Gabby. I've given up trying to keep her off. I wipe them down before I prepare any food on them and she knows not to jump up while I'm working there.
Try giving them some cat trees with platforms (not those tiny little two foot tall ones), they can lie on in a room adjoining the kitchen, that might help too.

clm