Tuna Tricks

Over a period of time, I unknowingly performed a Pavlovian experiment with the cats. They became classically conditioned to respond to a tuna can. I take out three bowls, one for each of the cats so I can give them some tuna juice, and one to make tuna salad in. Then I put a can of tuna on the counter and grab the can opener out of the drawer. I give them a little bowl of it and they enjoy their tuna treat. After doing this a few times, I noticed the cats would be next to me meowing before I could even get the can opener out. When Latino first witnessed this, he found it very amusing.

A couple days ago I heard him laughing in the kitchen. I walked in to find the cats next to him, meowing excitedly. On the counter were three bowls and a can of tuna. He had absolutely no intention of even opening the can of tuna. They finally gave up when he put the tuna can away. He repeated the same trick later that evening, and Lucy was not too happy with him. He wants to break the cats of their conditioned behavior. Latino thinks he is pretty clever, but Lucy will retaliate in her own way if he keeps this up.

 

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