Friday, May 30, 2014

Building trust exercises with #soontobeformeralferalkittens


I am not sure why these kittens are being so difficult in the learning to trust me department. Faraday seems to be the most likely to give me the benefit of the doubt, but I think that is because I helped him to feel better. He didn't like what I was doing when I was doing it, but I am fairly certain he made the connection, "she did that horrible thing, but now I feel better".  He is still not willing to come right up to me with out incentive, but he will do it. He flinches when I reach for him, but he doesn't run. Maxwell is the quickest to turn on the motor boat once I have my hands on him now. He purred for me for the first time this past weekend, and as long as he isn't aware I'm 'coming to get him' and get my hands on him, we are all good.

Recently I attempted to give them an incentive to jump up on my lap. First I disguised my lap with a blanket. This provided them with something new to explore that wasn't part of the big scary woman who keeps trying to nab them, and it provided me a little extra security from their sharp little claws..

What's this? ~Faraday
Is it for climbin? ~Faraday
oh no.. too close to that lady thing!! runaway!! ~Faraday
Ooooh, a toy!  Must pounce.. ~Faraday
I'm gonna get you!! ~Faraday
WANT! ~Faraday
But I do NOT want that lady thing to see me.. ~Faraday
Ooh, the toy just went that way! ~Faraday
Hey Faraday - whatcha doin?? ~Maxwell
I can do that too.. see! ~Maxwell
Oh CARP! Too close to that lady thing! She might touch me!! *scamper away* ~Maxwell
Phew! I'm safe over here... ~Maxwell
but I really want to get that toy.. ~Maxwell
*after some playing, I got to pat Maxwell, and he purred!*
Faraday playing it safe.. 
Allie playing it VERY safe.. 

Allie, as you can see, wasn't having anything to do with it. I think we are going to have to break out the big guns for her.. Baby Food..

15 comments:

  1. They are very cute for being so human-wary!

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  2. At least they have happy bear waiting with his arms open. It must be so hard for you to see them run from you when all you want to do is 'huff' them good and proper, but I'm sure you'll have them charmed in no time. They really are just so cute!

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  3. It it interesting to see how you need to interact with them to gain their trust. Come on Allie, people are good!

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  4. look kitts....she really isn't that bad. though on the other hand, if she is willing to break out the big guns...hmmmmm

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  5. They are so cute, too bad so feral too! But we know if any one came tame them, it's you, Connie. I think it's because they are "The Nines" - did you see that post last week at A Tonk's Tail?

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  6. Allie: Well...I have always found food to be VERY motivating, personally....

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  7. Slow improvements. It takes a long time, sometimes, to tame a feral.
    I've had three now, two are sort of tame, but Lilly Ann (photo) never really was.

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  8. They are so adorable! It looks like they may be coming around... slowly.

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  9. Thanks so much for the laughs, Connie. They are so challenging especially little Faraday. I could watch them all day.

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  10. Your patience is amazing. They are so cute I'm certain I'd be all over them and that wouldn't help matters at all. Enjoy!

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  11. I so wish I had known you when CC and Scouty were tots, I'm sure that I'd have done much more better towards taming Scout.

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  12. It took a long time for our mom to win feral kitten Laila's trust. Don't give up!

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  13. Sigh.......you have mega patience!

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  14. OK, these kittens are so cute. I am so jealous, and I miss fostering! I've fostered older kittens and adult cats before, but not kittens this little. Keep the pictures coming! Hopefully I can foster again sometime soon as well. We recently moved to a smaller apartment so it's a little more challenging.

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  15. Glad to hear they are sort of coming around! Slowly, but surely! Adorable pictures, as always.

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