"Mariah Nichols via CatKB.com" <forum@nospam.CatKB.com> wrote:

You do not have to train a cat to do something it very much needs
to do. The trick is to provide them with something they would like
to claw. There are many such things, you can buy them or make
them.

Claws are the essence of a cat. Cats depend on their claws for
exercise, play, self-defense, and hunting. Removing a cat's claws
is effectively crippling it.

Good luck.

Jeez. You don't want to train them???? It's not very hard. Nor are soft paws
some huge expense.

And you think paying for a declawing surgery will be *less* expensive than
Soft Paws??!

Will cleaning up the results of their improper elimination when they avoid
use of the litter box because of the pain of amputated toes take any *less*
effort than some simple training?

If you're not a troll, and really *do* care about your cats, buy or make a
scratching post, get some catnip, and put forth a *minimum* of effort to
train them to use it!

Hugs,

CatNipped

You want easy with no training? Remove the items from your home.  ;)

Now, since we know that isn't going to happen...
All changes in behavior are a result of training. Softclaws are meant to be
used as a training aid, not as a replacement for training. Like those head
halter collar things for dogs. They don't teach in and of themselves. They
simply give you a means to an end. You still have to show the animal the
proper behavior and PRAISE IT.

Stop thinking of training as some huge, horrible, lengthy process that you
aren't capable of. It is small things, throughout the day, on a daily basis.
Consistency is the key.

Clip their nails (or pay the whole $5 for a groomer to do it) to reduce
damage.
Start correcting their behavior. Give them acceptable things to claw and
praise the hell out of them for using them. Redirect inappropriate scratching
to appropriate things and make inappropriate things less attractive (scent
them with citrus or move them or put tape on them or whatever). When you see
them using the right thing, PRAISE THEM. Give a treat, a pet, playtime,
whatever. Something positive to them. When you catch them doing the wrong
thing, interrupt the behavior (clap, NO, penny-can, etc), then call, coax, or
bring them to the right place, and PRAISE THEM.
It isn't rocket science, I promise.

Remember -- inappropriate or "wrong" are simply human definitions. The cat
doesn't attach a monetary value to your couch.

You don't expect a dog not to chew the "wrong" things or a child not to draw
on the "wrong" things simply by osmosis. Don't expect a cat to just not claw
the "wrong" things, either. Teach it.

What YOUR problem?  Are you really that incapable of trimming your cats'
claws with a specialized clipper?

I think your cats must think you are a cat, do they "claw" each other
too?

How bad and where are they clawing you.

Declaw. It worked for us. I know certain people won't want to hear
this, but our cat has never been healthier or happier! All the crap you
hear in places like this against declawing is put out there by
bunny-hugging blank-stare nut-jobs. Remember that. These are the types
of people who would row their already-filled-to-capacity lifeboat back
into the sea of drowning desperates at the scene of the Titanic
sinking. They are KOOKS. They are to be IGNORED.
Set up an appointment to have all ten taken out this week. None of your
liberal KOOK friends will ever know, lest it be YOU who will tell them
so!

Declaw. It worked for us. I know certain people won't want to hear
this, but our cat has never been healthier or happier! All the crap you

hear in places like this against declawing is put out there by
bunny-hugging blank-stare nut-jobs. Remember that. These are the types
of people who would row their already-filled-to-capacity lifeboat back
into the sea of drowning desperates at the scene of the Titanic
sinking. They are KOOKS. They are to be IGNORED.
Set up an appointment to have all ten taken out this week. None of your

liberal KOOK friends will ever know, lest it be YOU who will tell them
so!

Surgery (declawing) would cost *much* more than Soft Paws -- and along with
it would come the possibility of several painful and unpleasant side effects
of amputation.  This includes early onset of arthritis, biting and
inappropriate urination.  Even in the "best-case" situations, the cat will
never have the same balance as a cat with its claws.  That said, you *do*
need to train the cat if you do not want it to scratch furniture because
scratching is a natural instinct for cats (and is also a form of exercise
for them).  I have never found it difficult to train a cat to use scratching
posts and have not even needed Soft Paws.  First, you should have *several*
scratching posts available in various parts of the house -- don't expect
your cat to go "looking" for one.  I have one in every room except the
bathrooms.  Scratching posts should be very stable because a cat may become
frightened if one topples over and then may refuse to use it.  Pet Smart has
a very tall one available that has both sisal and carpeting.  It also has an
extended L-shaped base, which adds to the stability.  You may want to
experiement with various types of coverings.  Some cats prefer carpeting,
some sisal, some like corrugated cardboard.  All of my cats have shown a
preference for vertical (upright) surfaces, but some cats like horizontal or
sloped surfaces.

Each of my cats learned to use the scratching post almost exclusively within
just a few days (even including Duffy, my blind cat, who was approximately 4
years old when I adopted him and had never been trained to a post).  I
watched the cats *very* closely the first few days after adoption.  Any time
the cat started to claw anything else, I would say "no" (firmly, but not
shouting).  Then I would move to a scratching post and tap it or scratch it
with my fingernails to attract the cat's attention.  When the cat would
approach, I would praise lavishly even if he/she only picked slightly at the
surface.  Soon, they got the idea that this was "a good thing," and they
would scratch vigorously any time I tapped the post and called to them.
Sometimes I would draw a string (with small toy or even a piece of fabric
attached) up and down the post.  The cat would follow in play but would
invariably begin scratching the surface.  Then the praise would begin again.
All of this required close attention for a few days, but after that I had no
problems.  I *never* resorted to yelling, water pistols, or other forms of
punishment.  Positive reinforcement always worked well, and it has the added
benefit of contributing to a loving relationship between cat and hoomin.

A good, tall, sturdy cat tree/condo would be a very worthwhile investment
(or one can be made for very little cost if you are "handy" with tools).
This will give the cat fun and exercise, and I am sure you will find it
delightful to watch.  I have one post on mine covered with sisal, so that
serves as a scratching post.  The others are carpeted.  The carpeting would
not even be needed for most cats, but it is essential for Duffy, my blind
cat, because he uses it for traction as he climbs up and down.

MaryL

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")