What's a good way to get a cat to stop going places it shouldn't go and doing things it shouldn't do?

Squirt it with a water

If you see the cat about to urinate or defecate, pick it up and place it in a litter box.

If the inappropriate behavior continues, you may need to check with a vet and ensure that there isn't a physical reason for the problem.

Ah, the cat is quite good about the litter box. I was more thinking about how to stop it going in closets so it can eat blankets or how to stop it, say, biting people it doesn't like.

quote Princess Midna

Squirt it with a water

Flick it's ear. It doesn't hurt them, but they sure don't like it. Good if you don't have an endless supply of water.

I have a somewhat related question. My cat likes to dig his claws into the furniture, and he's tearing it up. We got him a scratching post, but he won't use it. Having him declawed isn't an option because he's an indoor/outdoor cat and I don't want to leave him defenseless against other animals in the neighborhood when he's outside. Any suggestions as to how I can get him to stop clawing the furniture?

You could front declaw him if you wish. That would still allow him to climb trees to escape.

Also, try getting a horizontal scratching pad with catnip in it. That worked with our cats.

Ehh...he's not exactly the type to try to run away from fights, he's kind of a bully. I'm afraid he'd get himself hurt if we declawed even just his front paws. We have a scratching post that's kinda angled, and we sprayed some of that catnip spray on it, but still no dice.

Consistency and timing are always key in trying to alter a cat's behavior.

Awrighty, I'm gonna try some of that stuff out. Thanks y'all.