If your cat likes to claw, place a sisal scratching post next to the place it usually scratches. Your cat might prefer this rough, natural fiber as long as the post is solid and won't tip over. If your cat likes to scratch wooden legs of your furniture, use a cedar scratching post. Or if your cat prefers to scratch the soft upholstery of furniture, set out a carpeted scratching post. Be sure to place your cat's scratching furniture in an area where they like to scratch. If, for example, they like scratching on your sofa in the living room, put a scratching post in the living room. Rub a little catnip on the scratching posts to attract your cat to them. You might need to occasionally add more catnip to keep your cat interested. You may want to set up more than one post or scratching space in your house, especially if your cat likes to scratch several pieces of furniture.  Try to place them in a variety of places so your cat can choose when and where to scratch. Take note of the type of scratching your cat likes to do. If, for example, they like to get on their hind legs and scratch up high, they probably won't use a low-laying scratching pad. Instead, opt for a taller scratching post. As soon as you notice your cat using the scratching post instead of the furniture, reinforce the good behavior. Give your cat verbal praise or put a treat at the base of the post. Or you could give your cat a few belly rubs. For example, when you see your cat scratching the post say, "Good cat!" in a friendly tone and rub it behind its ears or give it a treat. If you see your cat scratching the furniture instead of the post, make a loud noise (like clapping) to startle them. Remove them from the furniture and firmly say "no." Do this every time you see your cat scratching the furniture. Don't yell or get angry at your cat. Remember that cats need to scratch in order to keep their nails trimmed. It's also a way that they communicate with other cats. Some cats may keep scratching furniture even if you tell them no and remove them. Try startling your cat every time you see it misbehaving. For example, if your cat jumps up onto a couch where you don't want it, walk towards your cat while shaking a can that contains a few pennies. Keep in mind that this typically only stops your cat from scratching when you are around. You will need to combine this with other deterrents for bad behavior and rewards for good behavior to ensure overall success. Cats are more likely to scratch on furniture if they're bored or need attention. Spend time playing with your cat. Staying active and entertained can reduce misbehavior. For example, you could dangle ribbons on a stick, toss small balls or toys to your cat, or hide treats in puzzle balls for it to find. Consider setting up a play area for your cat that includes items it can scratch. For example, buy an indoor play tree that has a scratching post. Place this near your cat's favorite furniture or by a window so it can look outside.

Summary: Offer your cat a scratching area. Encourage your cat to use the scratching area. Reward your cat for good behavior. Say "no" and be consistent with training. Startle your cat if you see undesirable behaviors. Keep your cat active.


Before you commit to trapping groundhogs in a live trap and releasing them elsewhere, be sure to check with your state’s wildlife agency about relocating trapped wildlife, as laws vary from state to state. Place it trap directly in front of the burrow entrance. It can be helpful to spray it with a hose and roll it in dirt to help camouflage it. Groundhogs particularly like cantaloupe, but if you have noticed anything disappearing especially quickly from your garden you can use this as well. The bait should be placed as far back as possible, to ensure that the groundhog must enter the cage fully in order to reach it. Place a brick on top of the cage to help prevent the animal from rolling it over once trapped. A trapped groundhog is an unhappy groundhog, and the longer you leave it in the trap the more likely it is to injure itself in distress. Once you have trapped a groundhog, handle the cage only while wearing thick gloves, and hold it away from your body. Transport it at least 5 miles away from your property, to an area that will be attractive to it as a new home. While groundhogs are not usually aggressive, you should stand back as it exits the trap.

Summary: Do your research. Wear gloves when handling the trap, to keep your scent off it. Bait the trap with fruits or vegetables. Check the trap regularly. Release the groundhog.


Make the mix CD with someone specific in mind, whether this is yourself, someone you like romantically, or just a friend you want to share some music with. Having a clear idea of who the CD is meant for will help you choose the songs. You want the person who listens to this CD to enjoy it, so consider what they already like and include some of that.  Additionally, you can take a chance and add songs that you think they will like based on what you know they like. The best mix CDs will have some kind of overall theme that ties the songs together, rather than being a completely random and disconnected set of songs. Common themes might be songs about love or songs for a road trip, but a theme could be starting a new school year, becoming friends, or inspiring music for a workout. Having a theme in mind helps establish the mood you hope the CD achieves and gives you something to aim for in compiling the songs. You might have the theme of “songs for the weekend” in mind, but don’t just add a bunch of songs that have “weekend” in the title. A theme is about continuity of the songs' tone and content, not just titles that have words in common. If you are making the CD for a particular person or occasion, it should have a message that the songs all work together to send. The theme gives a general guideline of how the songs should fit together while the message is what you want the mix to actually say. The audience also plays a large part in crafting the message, because you probably don’t want a mix for your boyfriend to send the same message as a mix for your grandma.
Summary: Determine your audience. Pick a theme. Make the message clear.