I think almost everyone vastly underestimates cats' capacity to be trained and reinforced to do or not do certain things that can be problematic if left solely up to their instinctive out of the box behaviors

[–] DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I mean, I trained her with a water spray to never step foot on my food table. She never ever goes there. Just never thought about it with the food bowl.

[–] cheese_greater@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

You dont even really need the water or spraying tho either, its often enough to use the firm tonality of "Nooooooo" and physically impose a bit on their space and pick them up to gently place them in a more acceptable spot without making it too comfortable for them so its not like a ride or attention or something.

They need to hear and see that you are upset with them so they can learn and know the rules and its not imposed with violence or anything gratuitous