How to train a kitten to use the box consistently

I am so frustrated with Smudge. He is 9 months old and very independent, but he refuses to use the litter box unless I am standing right next to it. The moment I walk away, he pees on the couch. I know this is a common issue, but I don't know how to reward him for doing it right when I'm not watching. Does anyone have a strategy for this?

It is important to note that cats are not dogs; they do not understand the concept of delayed reward. If you are not present when he uses the box, you cannot reward that specific action. You have to change the environment so that the box is the only acceptable option. I would look at the box placement. Is it near his food? Is it in a high traffic area? Smudge might be avoiding it because he feels trapped. Also, make sure you are cleaning the couch with an enzyme cleaner, not just regular soap. The smell of urine attracts them back to the spot. You can find a good discussion on this in enzymatic cleaners that actually work.

I am so worried about my own cats. Pumpkin is 5 and has weight issues, so I am careful with treats, but I saw high value treats for training and I am not sure which ones are safe for her. I tried to start training Mochi last week and he just walked away. I feel like I am doing everything wrong. Does anyone else struggle with this? I just want to make sure I am not reinforcing bad habits by not catching him in the act.

The issue you are describing is well-documented. There was a long thread a few months back where people argued about whether to use a camera or just move the box. my cat only uses the box when i'm watching covers the behavioral aspect in depth. The short version is that if the cat is comfortable enough to pee in front of you, they trust you, but they may not trust the box itself. Check the depth of the litter. Some cats prefer it shallow, some deep. Try a second box in a different room and see if the accidents follow the cat or stay in the same location.

We are currently in the middle of adding a new box for Orchid, who is deaf and sometimes misses the cue. I found that introducing it slowly helped. introducing a new box to a hesitant cat has some good tips on where to place the new one relative to the old one. For Smudge, I would worry that the couch is becoming his preferred spot because the texture is soft. Try covering the couch with aluminum foil or a plastic sheet for a few days. It is not pretty, but it breaks the habit. Also, make sure the box is large enough. A 9-month-old is still growing.