Training cats - any ideas?

[Ismene]

Hi guys,

Hoping to pick a few of your brains. I am a mad cat woman, with 2 delightful kits that have the sweetest nature until the moon casts it's glow over the night's sky and hunting season begins.

Having sold my house, and as of yet not found one to either buy - or a letting agent that isn't a lying, money grabbing "bleep" - however am still looking fervently.........

I now find myself ensconced  at my mothers house. Living in her conservatory and downstairs bedroom.

One prob is that my cats hate dogs... My mother has a dog, a very loving doberman who my cats would rather attack through fear than find out that the dopey bitch just wants to give them a lick. All in all not a good situation - but we found a solution - via a window... All good so far.

However, this window is where my cats are bringing their dead and the not so dead (i.e. very much alive) prey into the house. Something my mother abhors. Does anyone have an effective way in which to deter cats from bringing me presents which i have previously thanked them for before. I know it's all about retraining - but tbh - I'm at a loss as to where to start.... Any ideas most welcome...

[Suited_Jock]

It's an instinct I don't think it can be knocked out of them.. I have 2x 1yo and a 7 wk old, worst they catch is flies heh

[Ismene]

Lol yesterday i had the floor smeared with the innards of a mouse and three not yet born baby mice.... Trouble is i can't find the mother...

[Laxie]

You'd be better of training them to get along with the dog.  Trying to train them not to bring you dead (and not so dead) things will be near impossible.  You'll need your mom to help by holding the dog while you introduce one of the cats.  Will have to do this a number of times each day with both cats, moving closer each day until they finally figure out the dog is just a smelly drooling thing, but not a cat killer.  Worked with our cat and dog.  They aren't best of friends but they tolerate each other.

[Suited_Jock]

cat's belly?

[bolt pp]

It's an instinct I don't think it can be knocked out of them.. I have 2x 1yo and a 7 wk old, worst they catch is flies heh

def

instinct, cant be trained out of them, thank god or tom and and jerry would've been a load of shit.

do they play about with the mice before killing them?

[booder]

shut the window. leave them outside. you're welcome.

[Ginger]

You can't (and IMO shouldn't) try to train it out of them Ling, I know it can be a bit disgusting at times but we all know it's just natural for them to try and provide for you. If your cats are anything like mine, they'll sulk badly if you don't make a fuss when they drop a present at your feet. Better, and easier, to train your Mum into accepting their behaviour. 

As for the dog, time will eventually allow them to put up with him, as they are the boss are far as they are concerned (and of course, they are correct...) You'll probably have your own place before that time arrives though!

[Ismene]

You can't (and IMO shouldn't) try to train it out of them Ling, I know it can be a bit disgusting at times but we all know it's just natural for them to try and provide for you. If your cats are anything like mine, they'll sulk badly if you don't make a fuss when they drop a present at your feet. Better, and easier, to train your Mum into accepting their behaviour. 

As for the dog, time will eventually allow them to put up with him, as they are the boss are far as they are concerned (and of course, they are correct...) You'll probably have your own place before that time arrives though!

Lol hopefully I will have my own place soon enough. The problem is that I'm not sure my mother can cope with it - so cats may find themselves having to go on hols - which i don't think is in their best interests after the recent upheaval etc

Also, i would like to be able to put out the bin with less than a quarter of it filled with dead carcasses. - Unfortunately this is not an exaggeration - they are little murderers lol. They even kill snakes.

[Ismene]

It's an instinct I don't think it can be knocked out of them.. I have 2x 1yo and a 7 wk old, worst they catch is flies heh

do they play about with the mice before killing them?

Absolutely - hence i had one running about my bedroom before i caught the damn thing... They had brought it into play with and  had lost interest cos it was too scared. Sigh.....

[myself]

Hi Guys,
I don't think you can or should try to stop cats doing what comes naturally but you can train them to make it more acceptable to you.
I trained my 3 by taking the carcasses or half dead 'gifts' outside to an area that was away from the house. Sat with the cats and praised them there. This eventually stopped them bringing their 'gifts' into the house, and instead they sit by their gift outside waiting for the praise to come.
It doesn't work over night and it doesn't stop the gifts, but it's easier to clear up and stops my family having to walk through entrails.

myself

[Colchester Kev]

30 seconds, microwave, full power.

[cia260895]

30 seconds, microwave, full power.

only if you have an 850w microwave otherwise the times need to be adjusted...

[Snatiramas]

I tried to train my goldfish to go the other way round the bowl but it wouldn't have it

[sovietsong]

Could you just get a dog?