our 6 year old tom cat has never gotten on the kitchen counters or the stove (he was 1 1/2 years old when we got him), but he is allowed most other places. Sometimes, we have noisy discussions about the tables and the china cabinet. I rather like his company in the sewing room, except when he wants to lie on what I'm trying to sew. If scolding doesn't work, I can put him out of the room an close the door. As to what to use to train a cat not to get on certain things, our neighbor uses a squirt bottle of water without much success, but I think that's her fault for inconsistency. I used a rolled up newspaper for a while, but a loud voice is usually sufficient now.