Things You'll Need
- Cat treats
- Spray bottle
Instructions
Establish a method of positive reinforcement for good behavior. Giving your kittens a treat, playing with them, or petting them is a good way to teach them good behavior. When your kittens are learning to use the litter box or the scratching post, reward them for good behavior as often, or more often, than you discipline them for unwanted behavior.
Spray your kittens with a spray bottle when they exhibit unwanted behavior to teach them not to do it. Use the spray setting, not the mist setting, so the water hits your kittens with enough force to catch their attention and stop them from engaging in the unwanted behavior. In time your kittens will learn what behaviors to avoid and the sight of you picking up the water bottle may be enough to stop them when they are doing something you do not like.
Blow air into your kitten's face when he is bothering you while you read or watch TV. Blowing into your kitten's face is a harmless way to startle him and teach him to give you your space.
Separate your kittens when they get into a fight. If one of your kittens appears to be the aggressor, attacking the other kitten, confine him to his crate or to a single room in the house while rewarding the other kitten with a treat. To break up a cat fight, use your spray bottle and try to focus your attention on the aggressor until the two cats separate.
Keep your kittens busy when you are home so they will be too tired after you leave to get into trouble. Play with your kittens at least one hour per day and give them plenty of toys to play with to keep them from attacking furniture and other objects in the house. Give your kittens access to a ledge or window sill where they can sit and look outside as a means of passing the time and satisfying the curiosity that gets them into trouble when they are left alone.