I haven’t figured out why people ask this question. Why someone would get a pet if they didn’t want it to be part of the family, able to sit on the couch next to them when they’re watching TV, able to sleep in the bedroom, or even, *gasp*, on the bed, is beyond me.

That said, I see this question often enough. The fact of the matter is, cats do as they please. The key to training them is to convince them that they want what you want. If you want them to scratch their post, you make them think that their post is the BEST POST EVAR.

The same goes for training them to stay off the furniture. If you want your cat to stay off your couch, you need to provide her a better place to be. Cats love climbing and being up high. They love being in a comfortable spot. They like being near their people or items that smell like their people. These are some of the reasons they camp out on your couch or bed, or climb the dresser.

You want to give them all those same things, and make it even more appealing. At the same time, make the furniture less appealing. This way, your cat chooses to be on its own furniture and not yours.

Get your cat a kitty condo or cat tree, and place it near the favored spot. Observe your cat and see why she’s going on the undesired item. If your cat is going on items to be high, make the tree higher. If it’s to be near you, put it near where you sit, close enough so you can reach over and pet her. Put catnip there, her toys, worm items of clothing, or whatever seems to draw her attention. Make sure you praise her for being on her tree. Make her love that kitty condo.

Put undesirable things in the spot where you don’t want her to be. Aluminum foil works pretty well, or double-sided tape. Many cats hate citrus, so lemon or orange air fresheners can be aversive. Empty soda cans with pennies inside (tape the opening) placed on top of dressers give a nice startle.

Get creative. Your mission is to convince your cat that she LOVES her kitty condo. Her kitty condo is WAY better than your couch, bed, dresser, or counter. You can do it. You’re smarter than a cat, aren’t you?