The usual deterrents just aren't working...

I think most of you know this already, but just to give alittle background. Spirit was found at 7 weeks old (I'm told by the shelter) on the side of the road. This means that she didn't have the time with the mother to learn what means no (I think). When I first got her, it didn't seem to be a problem, well then she got better (she had a bad cold at the time) and boy it is now.

I always thought that cats climbing the curtains was just a saying, until I came home and found her at the top of mine. She doesn't seem to be the brightest of cats (don't get me wrong, I love her to death), she is always attacking her tail and shadow, and trying to "push" herself out of the sheer curtains.

The problems include jumping into the sinks, walking on the counters, sitting on the "nice" chairs, scratching everything and anything, attacking our hands (while purr her head off, I'm sure she doesn't mean it to hurt, but she doesn't understand it does), and even rubbing up against the catus, getting thorns in her fur and knocking it over.

What I have tried is the usual hissing, sharp short cries, puffing her face (she attacked my nose) saying no in different tones, and loud noises. I hate to admit it, but we have to use a spray bottle from time to time, its the only thing she will respond to. Does anyone have any other ideas? I hate using that spray bottle, but I can't think of anything else to try....

Oh dear. I don't have much advice for you, because in my house, the cats do what they want to do! If they do something we don't like, we usually focus on preventing the behavior by adding obstacles (e.g. sticky tape on the sofa), because other methods seem relatively ineffective.

The one good thing is that she is still young - some of these behaviors will probably dissipate over time. In the meantime, though, I'm sure someone more experienced than I will have some suggestions for you!

Same with us! Who am I to demand what they can and cannot do when I am just a guest in their home?

When we had a problem with kittens attacking/climbing curtains, we just removed them until they grew out of the whole "sensory overload" - aka: being TOTAL MANIACS. By the time we put them back up they had matured and stopped chasing and attacking thin air. They couldn't care less now!