How Do I Teach My Cat To Be Confined?

[mommytobuck]

My cat is 13 and has never been confined in any significant way. Once when he was a kitten he got the door shut in the bathroom while I was at work and seemed annoyed, however, I can't give any other reason for it. I suspect it is a natural genetic thing. As when I was picking him out he yowled to get out of the cage.

So he will have to be confined soon (for a vet visit). He is getting medication that could make him fall on stairs. So I bought a gate to keep him from the stairs and he will not rest until that gate is gone. SO much so that he smashes his head against it - over and over again - until I open it.

Ok sure maybe when he gets the medication he won't care about the gate but I also was hoping to use it to get a little me time (painting the house etc.)

He is getting older so he will need to be confined soon. How can I make him learn to love the gate?

Thoughts?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi! I don't think loving that gate will happen, but what if you draped a cloth over it so he can't see through it?

For actual confinement, what about trying some clicker training, treats and lots of love and patience, and brief times in a big dog pen. Make the whole thing as enjoyable for him as possible

 

[mommytobuck]

He is even worse when he can't see. Plus the gate is on the stairs so he can just go look at the stairs. But I will try it. I have a can with coins that I have successfully trained him with in my bedroom (when he wants me to wake up and he is bothering me, I shake the can and he stops) so I think I will use that here too. He knows it means, stop it.

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[mommytobuck]

Oh no.. I locked him in... because I am going to have a contractor come... unfortunately, within a minute he was walking around normally... he jumped down between the slats on the stairs. Ugh.. got to find a new place for the gate.

 

[Furballsmom]

How did things go for the rest of the day?

 

[mommytobuck]

I moved the gate but he got too anxious and was trying to squeeze though the spindles and I thought he was going to hurt himself. I had no choice but to put him in the master bedroom (with room to walk around in the bathroom) and he scratched at the door the entire 4 hours.

 

[Furballsmom]

Oh dear