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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!debra
From: debra@hp-pcd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: RE: Please neuter, don't declaw
Message-ID: <17400006@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 13-Apr-84 16:42:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.17400006
Posted: Fri Apr 13 16:42:00 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Apr-84 06:02:23 EST
References: <747@eosp1.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Portable Computer Division - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 38
Nf-ID: #R:eosp1:-74700:hpcvrb:17400006:000:1954
Nf-From: hpcvrb!debra    Apr  4 13:42:00 1984

I read with interest your message and was shocked to read that your
co-worker declawed her cat because she said that "when we play, I
get all scratched up".  This type of situation can be avoided without
such drastic measures if an owner will only train HIMSELF regarding
his interaction with the cat (and possibly any pet for that matter).

I was always impressed by cats that my wise old Uncle Harold owned
because they were affectionate and loving with people and wouldn't
ever bite or scratch when you held out your hand to pet them.  This
mellow behavior was not just due to the cat's temperment, he said,
it also had to do with how well trained the cat's owner was.  I
questioned him about what he meant and he let me in on the secret
to achieving this behavior in my cats (and I thought other people
might be interested in hearing about it too).  

His method was to NEVER, NEVER play with a cat by using your HANDS.
If you do this your cat will learn that HANDS mean PLAYTIME and they
aren't able to distinguish playtime from the times that you want to
give them affection and love.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a TOY when you play
with your cat.  Then the cat will equate toys with playtime, and when
you reach out with your hands they will know you want to be affectionate
with them.  This seemed to be a very simple technique and since that
time, whenever I have gotten a new kitten I have followed his advice.
So far, I have owned three cats that I have raised in this manner
(beginning when they were kittens) and not one has ever scratched me,
nor have they scratched and attacked my guests, when people have
reached out to touch them.

I don't know if this technique will work to de-train a mature cat who
has already learned this behavior, but it might be worthwhile to try
before you go to such drastic lengths as having them declawed because
of your own folly.

If anyone has any similar techniques, I wouldn't mind reading about
them.


Debra