How to Train a Cat to Stay Off the Table

Cats are intelligent creatures, capable of learning through operant conditioning. Keeping a cat off a table, countertop or piece of furniture is no small task---operant conditioning relies on catching the cat in the act and producing a stimulus that is unpleasant for the cat. After time, the cat associates these stimuli with the act it is committing---in this case, being on the table---and is much less likely to commit the offending act. Water and noise are two safe, humane ways of producing the adverse stimuli needed to train your cat to stay off the table.

Instructions

Water

1

Invest in a spray bottle. Make sure the bottle has a stream setting, as opposed to or in addition to a mist setting.

2

Make sure the spray bottle is clean and does not contain any soap residue or additives. Some trainers advocate the use of citronella added to the spray bottle, but there is no known advantage to this and may lead to poisoning if used in large amounts.

3

Fill the spray bottle with clean water.

4

Observe your cat. Every time the cat jumps on the table, spray it with water. It may take several sprays to deter the cat, but eventually the cat will understand that every time it jumps onto the table, something unpleasant happens.

Noise

5

Find an empty aluminum can with a lid, such as a coffee can.

6

Grab a handful of coins or small pebbles.

7

Fill the can with the coins or pebbles and seal the can.

8

Observe your cat. Every time the cat jumps onto the table, rattle the can. The rattling produces a sudden, loud noise. Because cats have an acute sense of hearing, this will often frighten them away from the table.

9

Continue rattling the can every time your cat jumps onto the table. Eventually the cat will associate being on the table with the loud noise and will become reluctant to even contemplate the idea.