PetSafe ScatMat Indoor Pet Training Mat for Dogs and Cats, Strip Size 46 x 3 inch - Pet Proof Your Home with This Battery-Operated Electronic Repellent Mat, Includes Adjustable Correction Settings

I am far more particular about pet products - food, shampoo, training aids... you name it - than I am about our people stuff. Up until this last year, I have never had a dog that required "training aids" of any sort. Then we rescued a hardheaded Heeler cross. I've used other "deterrent" products, but my furkids have figured out ways around all of them. The Sofa Scram audible alarm mat was effective (until they learned to press the off switch), and the Lab/Pit still won't get on the couch if it is there, but my boyfriend could never remember to turn it off before he moved it or sat down, and was constantly scaring himself sideways. Also, the alarm was painfully loud (even for my hard-of-hearing boyfriend), and there was no volume control or automatic shutoff, so if the mat got creased or bent in any way (like dogs kicking it off the couch), there was no way for them to escape the sound until we got home to turn it off. There had to be another solution... and there is. Enter the PetSafe ScatMat Dog Training Strip. Because it is a pressure sensitive shock system rather than an audible alarm, I don't have to worry about subjecting the dogs to unnecessary trauma while we are gone. It's worked so well that I think I am going to order the larger size for other furniture, too. Here are the highlights:* The shock levels are adjustable, and I've found that after the first experience, the lowest setting is enough to be a deterrent - even when the hardheaded Kelpie-Heeler sees a squirrel through the window.* No audible alarm means I don't have to worry about sensitive ears being damaged if it is knocked off the furniture or windowsill.* The narrow strip is the perfect size for our large picture window, covering the sill without hanging over, so it can't be easily knocked off* The adjustable settings are a plus, and the "zap" of the highest setting is similar to grabbing a strong electric fence... plenty enough to get even a stubborn dog's attention, but not enough to cause damage (yes, I tested it myself and believe me when I say it is a definite attention-getter!)* There are extension kits available, so you can cover larger areas easily* It's battery operated, and doesn't drain the battery quickly. You can also order a power adapter, if you'd rather plug it in* The on/off switch is a slider mech, so it can't be accidently bumped on or off, and is located on the side of the power box. The power box also has an "action indicator" light that flashes when the unit is turned on or moved so you can see that it is live.* The clear vinyl isn't invisible, but it is very unobtrusive.

One touch of a nose, paw, whisker, etc. and my pets (5 dogs & 2 cats) never touch this thing again!I've used the PetMate ScatMats for several weeks now. I have no idea why I didn't buy one sooner (okay, it's the ridiculous price for a vinyl strip)! No more repeated reminders to keep noses or paws off the table. No more pet parties while I'm not home. There is no learning curve with this; one zap and the lesson is never forgotten.The long, thin strip mat runs on a 9v battery. If you've ever participated in the kid dare to lick a 9v battery, the shock is a little milder than direct tongue contact. It's more startling than painful. Knowing the 9v won't hurt my monster mutts, I've used the high setting from the beginning (off-low-high).I leave this turned on 24/7 on the dining table, except for meal times. I've found that even if I forget to turn the mat back on, the pets avoid it. I have noticed one of the dogs paying extra attention to the manipulation of the on/off button when moving the mat. I think he's figured it out, so I'll have to keep my eye on him.I should note that the thick fur of my human-sized Alaskan Malamute is not affected buy the electric charge. He won't touch it with his nose or paws, but if it's placed where he can lay his protected, thickly figured body on it, he will reach across the mat. This is no surprise as electric training collars don't work on this type of fur coat, noting that an e-collar omits a much stronger shock than this ScatMat. As long as I remember to position the mat so that this dog can't reach over it without exposing itself to a shock, it's still an effective deterrant.The sofa size ScatMat has kept all of my pets off the furniture and the dog hair off my clothes. Again, I'm still using the original 9v battery that came with mat a couple months ago. The dogs still jump on the sofa if the ScatMat isn't laid across the sofa. The mat teaches pets to stay off the ScatMat; it does not teach the pet to stay off the furniture.

I've used a ScatMat to keep my cats away from our printers for about a year now and it does do the job. A 15 lb Maine Coon jumping on top of an HP All-In-One printer will definitely break the top-mounted autofeed mechanism - so keeping them off has been a priority.I like the ScatMat but do wish it had some easily visible indication that it was on so I would know when to replace the battery. Yes, I can touch the rectangular control box to see if it's working but I'd like to be able to see a power on indicator without having to touch it.But I've got a better idea anyway -- Scotch (3M) 667 Removable DoubleSided Tape. It's 3/4 inch x 400 inches and costs about $5 a roll at Amazon or Walmart.I've used doublesided tape before and cats absolutely hate touching it. But after a month or two there's no way to remove it from metal, wood, formica, etc, without leaving an impossible-to-remove residue. That's what I like about the Scotch 667 tape - it's removable and leaves absolutely no residue, even after a year on top of some of my file cabinets. Works on the sides of the sofa too - just wish 3M made a superwide version.So now I drape my ScatMat on top of my printers and place Scotch 667 Removable DoubleSided tape on the surrounding surfaces.Works like a charm.

I can’t live without. It safe Christmas.Kitten learnt the first time and stayed away from it

Very effective for cats that own you and you're counters! Using the lowest stimulation, once my cats stepped on this, they've never tried it again. So effective,I've removed these strips, and reboxed them! Only thing that bothers me is the high price, compared to other larger, longer Scat Matt products, especially when you only use it once. The counter, or edge Scat Matt's are small units.

Had a counter surfing dogHe got zapped once and never returnedWish I could have rented this ,lolWas worth the high price

This product exceeded my expectations. I was sceptical at first but I had to try something to keep my young cat from the TV/Video game center with all its wiring. Set on low, it took only 2 experiences for my little guy to totally avoid the center.

Current is not consistent and unreliable to perform effectively. Often no current is felt on the low and medium setting when I apply my hand to it and the high setting works supuratically. Often my cats can be found standing or walking all over this mat. I’ve changed the batteries in it frequently and find no difference in function.I have a larger mat by the same company and find it’s function much more effective and superior. On the the larger mat I can set it to low and it consistently works and does it job.