Who Needs Water?

Published on August 20, 2006 By MasonM In Pets & Nature

I've been using a squirt bottle to train Socrates. We've been going round and round about his biting. He just wants to play but I am trying to teach him that biting is a bad thing.

When he starts biting I'll tell him "NO!" and sometimes that will work. If he continues after the second "NO!", I say "I'm gonna get the squirt bottle." That works now as he's experienced the squirt bottle enough times to know exactly what that phrase means. I don't even need to squirt him any more, just threaten to get the squirt bottle and he immediately straightens up.

Comments

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 20, 2006

great idea. I know some parents that should do this with their kids. If you can train a pet.........

I remember when my littlest brother would throw temper tantrums and he would hold his breath until he passed out. The doctor told my mom to throw water at him when he'd start.....and it worked. It didn't take long at all for him to quit. Funny how something so simple works wonders.

MasonM

on Aug 20, 2006

#1 by KFC (Kickin For Christ)
Sun, August 20, 2006 5:08 PM

great idea. I know some parents that should do this with their kids. If you can train a pet.........

I remember when my littlest brother would throw temper tantrums and he would hold his breath until he passed out. The doctor told my mom to throw water at him when he'd start.....and it worked. It didn't take long at all for him to quit. Funny how something so simple works wonders.

My younger brother used to try the hold his breath thing. I'd give him a good punch in the gut and he'd start breathing right quick. Usually earned me a couple licks with the belt, but it didn't take long for him to quit trying it.

MasonM

on Aug 20, 2006

I just had a round with Socrates over the biting. As soon as I mentioned the squirt bottle he decided it was a good time for a nap. Sleeping like a baby now.

foreverserenity

on Aug 20, 2006

Awwww, that's too cute! He actually recognizes what you're saying! You know, cats really are smart. As a young girl when I had my first cat, I trained her to use the potty. It took a couple of tries but she eventually got it. When she had kittens, I made sure the others had a home and kept the male of the lot because I loved it, and I had to train him too. They are really intelligent in their own cat way!

MasonM

on Aug 20, 2006

#4 by foreverserenity
Sun, August 20, 2006 5:29 PM

Awwww, that's too cute! He actually recognizes what you're saying! You know, cats really are smart. As a young girl when I had my first cat, I trained her to use the potty. It took a couple of tries but she eventually got it. When she had kittens, I made sure the others had a home and kept the male of the lot because I loved it, and I had to train him too. They are really intelligent in their own cat way!

Yeah, I've notice they seem pretty bright. I know he understands certain things I've repeated to him. Sometimes he'll react right away and other times he pretends he doesn't understand which shows how bright he really is.

feisty_in_ohio

on Aug 20, 2006

We tell ours "I'm going to get the squirtgun" and he meows and runs off.
He understands "noisy" too. If I'm about to run a loud appliance, all I have to say is "it's noisy" he hisses and runs off.
I love our little fur-ball.

MasonM

on Aug 20, 2006

#6 by feisty_in_ohio
Sun, August 20, 2006 7:23 PM

We tell ours "I'm going to get the squirtgun" and he meows and runs off.
He understands "noisy" too. If I'm about to run a loud appliance, all I have to say is "it's noisy" he hisses and runs off.
I love our little fur-ball.

I believe it. I think they're brighter than we give them credit for. Or we give ourselves credit for being brighter than we are.

Tova7

on Aug 20, 2006

That's one smart pussy!

Dr Guy

on Aug 21, 2006

Usually when Sally bites, it means she is hungry. But not always. She does not do it too often though.

And she is the only one of our cats that is not afraid of noisy appliances.

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