Entrance control is the toughest job for
the Scat Mat. Pets may jump over or sneak around the mat(s). These
notes incorporate the best information available to overcome these
potential problems. For best results you'll need to incorporate
all the suggestions we give you here, and if you have an active
pet, you should be prepared to work a couple of weeks to achieve
your goal.
Treat this as a positive training experience
with your pet. Be sure to praise it often during this period and
let the mat provide most of the negative reinforcement when the
pet enters the 'no-go' area. However, if you do see the animal
on the 'wrong' side - let him know - right away! As with any Scat
Mat training, the mats should be used in conjunction with other
training methods.
Chances are if you've invested in this
Scat Mat you've already tried other options which failed. If you
try everything mentioned here and still don't have your pet(s)
obeying the Scat Mat boundary - call us. We may have suggestions
or new ideas for you to try. Or conversely if you've had a particularly
good experience with a novel new way of using the mat - call us
and tell us what you've done. We're interested! Call between 8:00
and 4:30 Pacific Time toll free at 1-800-767-8658. Good Luck!
A sample scenario
When a mat is placed in a doorway, most
pets will be aware of its presence. Suspecting nothing they will
attempt to cross. The majority of pets will feel the 'static type
shock on this first occasion. Their responses will vary dramatically
from running through - or away, to jumping back a few feet.
Regardless of which way they go - most
pets will know the mat caused the unpleasant sensation. But, not
being 'rocket-scientists' they will re- attempt the crossing.
Whether this is right away or much later, it is on this second
trial that most learn they don't like treading on the mat.
At this point if it is a docile pet, very
small dog, puppy or kitten it will be conditioned to avoid that
area in the future. Owners of other pets (especially active and
larger animals) will see varying levels of interest by their animals
in getting past the Scat Mat barrier.
If your initial training efforts are unsuccessful
you still have options.
* Add mats to increase mat area. Consider Extensions or Dummies.
* Use the mat with a child/pet gate which may not have been effective
on its own. Place mat on floor in front of gate.
Use Doors to Control Access
If training a pet not to go through an
entrance which has a door - we highly recommend using that door
as an obstacle during the training period to slow the animals
progress across the mat. Controlling the pets speed across the
mat(s) will ensure a good contact is made. This will significantly
increase your Scat Mats effectiveness. Follow these steps:
- On the first day lay the mat on the threshold with the majority
of the mat inside the room the pet is to stay out of.
- Prop the door open just wide enough for the pet to squeeze
through.
- In the days that follow, gradually increase the opening size.
After two weeks the pet should have given
up trying and the door should be wide open. The mere sight of
the Scat Mat lying there will keep the pet at bay.
Obstacles
If a door isn't available, you can use
large cardboard boxes, hampers, chairs, etc. in the doorway to
slow the pets while crossing the mat. As with the door training
explained above, begin with just enough room to squeeze through,
and gradually increase the size of the opening over a couple of
weeks.
Unlike many other situations where the
mat can be removed when avoidance begins, this is usually not
possible with entrance training. It is OK to leave the mat in
place and turned on indefinitely.
