Every type of behaviour
has a beginning and an end. A series of different actions can take place
between the initial and final act or type of behaviour. SSSCAT stops the
chain reaction that leads up to the final unwanted act and consequently
changes the behaviour and motivation associated with it.
With SSSCAT, your cat
will associate a certain behaviour with a stimulus found in its
environment. Initially, this stimulus (the spray) is perceived as
neutral. Later, it will signify something that is not allowed. Let's
take a specific example: the kitchen counter is a space in your home
which requires a certain level of cleanliness. Place the canister on the
counter where your cat tends to jump up. As soon as SSSCAT detects the
cat, it makes a loud, constant noise and sprays out a neutral gas. This
is not a pleasant experience for the cat and the counter eventually
becomes a spot it wants to avoid. At this point, you can modify SSSCAT's
operations. Gradually decrease the spray until it does not spray at all
and the noise then becomes sufficient to keep the cat off the counter.
There are several zones in a house or apartment
where your cat will exhibit different types of behaviour. For example,
there are comfort zones, hunting zones, disposal zones and feeding
zones. Cats determine what these zones are through visual and olfactory
means. They also tend to follow the same path or route through the house
to explore their preferred zones. By placing SSSCAT along these routes,
you make your cat change its habits.
To ensure that you
completely change your cat's route, you must determine the animal's
zone. SSSCAT must be placed in different spots along the animal's route.
For example, the cat's usual route to the couch, its comfort zone, will
gradually be modified. Your cat could have a number of comfortable spots
on the couch and make its way to these spots from different directions.
However, by moving the SSSCAT canister around to different spots, the
whole couch soon becomes a forbidden zone. You can guarantee that your
cat continues this learned behaviour on a permanent basis by
periodically altering the position of the canister over a period of a
few days.
To accelerate this
learning process, reward your cat whenever it adopts certain allowed
behaviours. For example, provide your cat with a cushioned pet-bed to
replace its comfort zone on the couch.
Reinforce good
behaviour without punishing your animal. Your cat will be happier and
live more harmoniously with you and your family. Please consult your
user's manual for other examples.
