Cats need to be motivated so they will remain enthusiastic about their training regimens. One of the best ways to motivate cats is to reward desired behavior rather than punishing actions that are unwanted. Punishment is counterproductive and creates pointless stress for cats without resolving the issue. Your cat won’t stop scratching the furniture if you spray him with water; your action merely teaches him that you are potentially threatening, and it does not really motivate him to change for the better. He will continue to scratch, often in locations where you can’t see him engaging in the behavior, or when you are not around. Punishment can also fuel other problems like aggressive behavior or litter box problems. Whatever may be the cause, positive reinforcement is definitely the better option when you want to address undesirable pet behavior. Talk to your Greenfield, IN veterinarian when you have questions and/or concerns about specific behaviors displayed by your pet. Click here to learn more.