kitties on the counters

[lexibent]

I finally have internet access, after 3 weeks of doing without. Having major withdrawls!!!
Anyway, I've moved into my new place (a condo- my very first home!) and am still waging a daily battle with the kitties. The hardest part is being consistent, because lately I've just been too tired!
Lexi HATES being squirted, and has now come to associate NO! with a squirt. So, she hops down as soon as I scold her. Bentley on the other hand just looks at me like he's confused.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to keep working at it, although deep down I know they're training me to accept their total dominance of MY new house!

[QueenScoopalot]

It's been a losing battle here for years! The cats like the counters because they're cool, and silly me I kiss their little heads when they're up there making goo-goo eyes at me. I guess I've only encouraged this behaviour huh?

[BigCharles]

Lamoni always got up on the counters. We learned to live with that. He would not go near the (electric) stove when we were cooking and no need to be afraid for the long fluffy tail with no open flame. When Fifi came to live with us he "taught" her -as if she needed it - all she nneded to know about the counters.

Then came the kitchen remodel. The cabinets go in BEFORE the counter tops get measured. Lamoni comes out of hiding to investigate the new cabinets. Must look at the tops, right?

JUMP! OOPS! No tops!

"What you doing in the drawer, boy?" After geting over being laughed at (he HATES that), he would climb up and down all over the new install.

Now the counter tops arrive.

Lamoni won't go near the counter tops. Even if I pick him up and put him on the countertops he jumps off like they are on fire.

New countertops are laminate on bound particle substrate. (Read that as cheap.) I kept the peice that was cut out for the sink. I put him into the sink. He liked that but would not get out. He cried until I came and got him. He will not go near the piece that was cut out.

Formaldehyde (sp). They warn you about that in new homes. The cats both hate it.

I'm not suggesting that you go begging at the funeral home. Go by a place that sells counter tops and see if they have a fresh peice of scrap.

[AnaLisa]

Try double stick tape laid out about 4 inches from edge and again 5 inches from there, my Kitty hated the feel and now doesn't even think about getting up on my kitchen counter.

[Equus217]

Originally posted by lexibent
I'm going to keep working at it, although deep down I know they're training me to accept their total dominance of MY new house!

I just moved into my new house too!! I am having the same issues. Vegas and Reno are having a ball exploring...but I can't keep them off anything!!! THey have learned really quickly that "PSSSST!!!" means no and they will jump down and run for the hills. But I have come to realize...when I am not around they know they can get away with it. I walked into the kitchen last night and both of them hopped down and high-tailed it outta there.

They know it's a no-no...but they really don't care!
I give up