Pizz - the suggestions made here ARE positive reinforcement!

I am sure that beating the cat for meowing or starving it or other horrific things like that are most certainly out of the question.

Some animals (including my Bastet and she is VERY much loved) need training. I certainly would not let her run wild on the furniture with her claws considering its not my furniture and my landlord tolerates her because she isn't destructive.

BTW: you could just try water in the water pistol