Advice needed before my boyfriend loses it!

[happylabs]

What is up there on your counter that is attracting him? What does he do once he is there?

Maybe use reverse psychology and ignore him for a couple days when he gets up there.

If all else fails, ditch the boyfriend and keep the cat.

[Medusa]

I feel for you, Cindy, truly. I've tried everything that's been suggested except the gripper pad but I have no doubt that it wouldn't discourage Coco Puff. If I squirt him in the face w/water, he braces himself as if to say "Go ahead. Hit me w/your best shot". Then he jumps down but he jumps right back up again. He actually sleeps on the countertop sometimes. I don't know what attracts him; I doubt anything does. He just likes being naughty. Wish I could offer some suggestions that others haven't already offered but I've got nothin'. I can only offer my encouragement to not give up. Good luck.

[Queen of Poop]

Cali's not much for counter tops but Diego is. I wait until he sits his catbutt down and then I give him the "look" and calmly but assertively tell him to get down. And he does. I do however give them free reign over the bathroom counter and sink. I love it when Cali lays in the sink!

[Randi]

I don't have any ideas to add, but I hope some of them works. If not, I'd go with happylabs suggestion "If all else fails, ditch the boyfriend and keep the cat.

Does Jax keep getting up there because he wants to look out the window? That's Fister's reason for sitting on the kitchen counter here. Does your boyfriend not want him there because he needs the space for work, or is it because of dirty paws? If so, perhaps it would be easier to just have a damp cloth laying there at all times and just wipe the counter before use.

[Taz_Zoee]

LOL, thanks for the suggestions. And I will not be ditching the boyfriend. We've been together for over 7 years, he's a keeper. I've always had the rule that cats are not allowed on the kitchen counters. That's just a pet peeve of mine, and Bruce agrees with me.
I have no clue what he wants on the counter. He is allowed EVERY where else in the house (kitchen table-when we aren't eating, and he's catching on to that rule, dining room table-because we don't use that table for eating, bathroom counters-although he doesn't get up there often).
He has access to several windows (with the help of cat trees) as well as three sliding glass doors and the front storm door to see out of. And he never goes to the window in the kitchen. I think he's attracted to the smells up on the counter. We do keep the counter clean.
I like the idea of using something minty smelling. That way it doesn't bother our noses but maybe he won't like it.
Oh, and as far as the boyfriends hysterics (LOL) we started out taking the nice but firm approach. And since that has absolutely no affect on Jax he just gets irritated that he'll get him down and then by the time he sits back down in the chair to continue working Jax is back up on the counter again. It's not even when we turn our back on him, he does it right in front of us!
I realize the hysterics are eventually just ignored. And our house is such a loud household anyway, the animals become immuned to the noise. (Except Taggart does not like us yelling, even if we aren't yelling in anger.)
Ok, I am going to talk to Bruce tonight about some of the ideas given here and see what we can do. I really appreciate all the great suggestions.
And I will be taking pictures soon for the PT calendar so I will post some of them.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Cindy, I forgot to add that I saw an episode of Cats 101 on Animal Planet and they had an animal behaviorist on the show. She was trying to help a couple to teach their cat not to jump up on the counters. They put some sticky tape on the back of something like a plastic runner and when the cat would try to jump up there his paws would get all sticky so he'd then jump down. Then they used a clicker to teach him to jump up on his cat tree instead and they would click and give him a treat when he used the cat tree. Just another idea to throw out at you. Good luck.

[Taz_Zoee]

Cindy, I forgot to add that I saw an episode of Cats 101 on Animal Planet and they had an animal behaviorist on the show. She was trying to help a couple to teach their cat not to jump up on the counters. They put some sticky tape on the back of something like a plastic runner and when the cat would try to jump up there his paws would get all sticky so he'd then jump down. Then they used a clicker to teach him to jump up on his cat tree instead and they would click and give him a treat when he used the cat tree. Just another idea to throw out at you. Good luck.

That's interesting. A clicker on a cat. Never thought of that. And I have a clicker I use for Taggart. Thanks!!

[moosmom]

You put two-sided tape on the aluminum foil and tape it to the counter (it's temporary). Like I said, they hate the noise. Once they hear that noise (you can also use some kind of paper that "crackles") they'll associate the bad noise with the counter and avoid it.

They don't like citrus smells, moth balls (do not put them loose, enclose them in a netted lingerie bag so they can't chew on them, not that they will) and cedar.

Good luck!!