I've had MONTY, my cat, for 2 years now but his training never seems to be over. Today I faced a dilemma and maybe you other cat owners can help me. My problems with MONTY usually revolve around trying to figure out how long he can remember and how much he can comprehend.
Today MONTY ran outside onto the balcony. He's doesn't comprehend the danger of being out there or of heights in general, but he does know I do NOT want him to go out there and that it is a "forbidden place". Of those things I'm sure!
He often tries to get past me when the door is open and I always scat & scold him away. But today he was too quick for me and managed to slip through my legs and onto the balcony. I have a portable Air Conditioner in the doorway that I couldn't climb over without a great deal of time and difficulty. He used that to his advantage.
I immediately tried using my serious, command voice (which he know means "no fooling around") to command him back inside. He definitely understood I wanted him back inside and even paused his sniffing and looking around to look at me. But then he chose to disobey me and decided to stay outside anyway.
So I switched gears and tried to "sweet talk" him back inside. I even promised him he'd get a "TREAT" if he came back inside. After 2 years he definitely understands the word: "Treat". He paused again, looked at me but again decided to ignore me and stay outside. I knew I could get a treat faster than I could move the air conditioner so I headed for the kitchen.
By the time I returned he had come back inside and was relaxing on the couch and giving his feet a clean off as if nothing had happened and he didn't have a care in the world.
My question: Do I give him the treat or wring his neck?!
If he was a child I could give him the treat but explain the danger of the balcony and why I don't want him being out there. But he's NOT a child! So I'm back trying to determine, "how long he can remember and how much he can comprehend."
I wanted to give him the treat because 1) I promised it to him and 2) if it ever happens again I want him to connect "coming back inside" with something positive, like getting a treat and not with being punished.
YET, he did purposely "escape" when he knows it's a "forbidden" place and purposely ignored ALL my commands and promptings and purposely decided to disobey me. I don't want to give him a "treat" if his disobedience is foremost in his mind.
So how do I respond? Treat or Punishment? Or both? Or neither?
(There's a place BELOW to offer your COMMENTS. Thanks in advance for any advice)
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
