How do you make a cat listen?

My cat has a listening problem! He likes to do things that he's not supposed to do like tear up the carpet in the corners of the rooms (he doesn't pee there, he just tries to see what's underneath it I guess! ) and chew on computer wires..I've been told to spray him in the face with water when he does something he shouldn't but it doesn't work...he just catches the water with his mouth..he thinks its a game...any suggestions?

I am not too familiar with cats, but I do know that the best way to teach any animal is by use of behavior modification and the use of rewards. I have heard of cats learning to do things with the presentation of a treat shortly after doing what they were supposed too. However the water sounds good too, he is catching the water to keep it off his face (most likely b/c he doesn't like it).

A spray bottle works wonders... If you say 'NO' and squirt, it doesn't take long for them to get the picture...and you can put the squit bottle away...

phrannie

PS...You don't have to squirt in the face...squirt his feet and legs, they hate water on their feet...you can also add a teaspoon of vinegar to the full bottle of water...it's enough to not taste good, but not enough to sting eyes...he won't like catching it, and he'll detest having to clean it off himself.

phrannie

My cat did this when she was angry with us - it was attention-seeking behaviour, when she felt we were ignoring her. Out of interest, do you think that might be part of the problem?

my cat is very well behaved!!! I kinda trained him since he was a kitten. In order for you to get himto listen to you , you need to show him or her a lot of affection!! with my cat I would go to school come home and he would be up my butt till bed and then we would sleep togetrher to. after you start showing a lot of attention then they normally give in and start to listen. my cat did the same thing with the clawing of the cornor of the carpets. all you have to do is go to a pet store and buy him some kind of item that he can use for a scrathing post or a scrathing pad. they will use it trust me I have a round with a cardboard inside and I replace the card board like once a month. I have my cat to the point to where he tells me when he is hungry and needs fresh water and when his litter box needs cleaned. Also the computer wire thing... well my kitten did that I figured that it was he didn't have a any toys so I bought some toys and he no longer does that ... but everything takes time and patience if all else fails the woter bottle usually works but my cats to smart for that!!

IF HE TEARS UP THE CARPET YOU NEED TO GET HIM A SCRATCHING POST.

Get the cat a scratching post.
I dont know if this always works, but I either lock the cat in a bathroom or lock her out of the room for a while when she's doing something she's not supposed to be doing...
My cats stopped waking me up in the middle of the night, knocking things over, jumping on the kitchen counter etc etc... it needs to be done consistently though... it takes a while for them to pair the wrong behavior with punishment...

he is a kitten give him toys and play with him yourself ,thats how kittens are they are very playful..if you didnt want a cat to act like that you should have got an adult cat...

BY LETTING THE CAT THINK IT HAS IT'S OWN WAY. REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY.

you have to get him a board to scratch on, and something to chew, and if he's still new in your house then he's trying to found out what every little thing is like in your house, if he was already in someone's house, then he's trained to behave this way, and give him a name, keep repeating his name all the time, until he starts looking at you when you say his name, then he will start coming to you or stop doing what he's doing, and you have to say NO! and hold whatever he's scratching while you're saying 'NO, (His name), LOUDLY!! and shoo him! lol