Yeah, he looks like it, doesn't he? Until his territory is invaded, then he's a terrorist.Charlie is so chill!
This is what I need to know, thanks Jcatbird! I would not have caught on to the tail twitching. What did you think of Finn's reaction when he approached the barrier and pawed at Charlie's face? Friendly, or assertive/dominant? I have yet to learn to read subtle body language of cats. I may need to share some videos as this process progresses to get your opinion on body language if that is okay. I sure do appreciate your input.Charlie did give a clue at the start. His tail was flipping a bit. Then he stood his ground. When Finn leaped up, it was on. Finn is ready to be exploring but it’s just too early. He jumped ahead of the curve and is pushing the pace. He is young and feeling so much better now! His energy level is improved so it’s not surprising he enjoyed that climb. It’s a shelving tree! Whee! I think you just have to back up a little. In doing this it is always a process where we have to step back at times. Progress and then regress. I’ve never had a situation where this didn’t happen. Relax, let them return to enjoying meals together and wait until Charlie shows no tail twitching or intimidation. The Flying Finn above him must seem a little scary. Finn will probably continue to fly but Charlie will learn that this does not mean Finn is coming out. They’ll calm down again to a point you can begin to move forward again but give them that time. Seeing how well they eat together is really sweet. They’ll get there.
Yes, that's what I was wondering/feeling. Thanks for interpreting it for me. Any time Finn sees Charlie, even if it's through his carrier, out comes his paw - he's fearless for being such a tiny thing. He looks bigger in pictures than what he is; I would say he weighs all of 7 lbs. But that fearlessness feistiness combined with claws...maybe when the time comes I should have nail caps put on just for introduction period. Thank you again for your feedback. I hope that you are resting and healing! Off to catch upon your thread.I wouldn’t say aggressive or dominant at that point. It could have evolved into that
He really is the smartest cat I've ever been around! He's self-aware in mirrors, he watches videos with interest, and he's very sensitive to my correction. I usually just have to say "no" once or twice before he learns and stops doing something. I guess that's how he stayed alive so long on his own with some really aggressive street cats around here.Wow, what a little genius to learn so quickly!
I'm praying for that, I truly am!Charlie and Finn are such cutie pies, and I'm sure will eventually be best buds.
Haha - do you know he ended up jumping right over them both?! Little bugger. I had to put them back the way they were with the shelving around them - he cannot be contained!I love the new Finn cage!! Brilliant to stack the pass through gate on top of the other and use pool noodles!!
Sadly, no. I was hoping for that with the baby gates today, but Finn jumps over every barrier. When I stand inside the shelving, I can't reach through to play with Charlie.Is there any way that you could stand outside of Finn's door and use a wand toy or laser to play with him and then give Charlie a turn on his side? Then reward both with a treat.
I feed them on the other side of the shelving a couple inches from each other's face, and they barely acknowledge each other. They'll sniff through the shelving when they're done but then they lose interest and walk away. Weird? It never ends on a negative note - not til Finn enters Charlie's territory.I would try many sight visits throughout the day while you can. Just supervise and see watch. Allow them a few minutes, then give a few treats and close the door.
I saw that, too, and wondered about it. Finn appears to have the potential to play rough or be dominant - I'm watching him (insert DeNiro eyes here), but really appreciate your feedback as this progresses.just at the very end, Finn pokes back enough that Charlie gets just a little worried. His ears went back.
Okay, more peekaboo. I can do that. I moved the cage out of Finn's room today. Should I try to put him in the cage and wheel him out into the living room, or not yet?I just think it’s a matter of playing peek a boo with them a little longer and follow the previous info about slowly increasing the visits through the gate. Watch the ears, tail and when Charlie backs away from the door.
Okay, I can wait. I wanted the cage out of there since the room is small and feels crowded. Was going to break the cage down to store it, but decided to keep it assembled in case it's still needed or in case it would help in introductions.Ummm. Well. I think I would stick with a consistent routine for a few more days. It’s been a little bit of a roller coaster ride the past few days. How much longer before you will have to be gone during the day?
Yes, the cage is in the hallway outside his door. You're right, he's an escape artist, so I've been trying to think about how to get him into his cage when that time comes. The only option I can think of is to roll it right to the door and try to get him in that way. So I'll keep the cage in the hallway for now, then, and not break it down and store it away.Could you move the cage outside the door but keep it handy? It might be useful in a little later stage of introductions.
Oops. I thought I was supposed to be doing carrier visits now. I did one yesterday - put Finn in a carrier so I could get the cage out of the room, and let he and Charlie sniff through the carrier gate and fed them treats.The other option later is probably going to be carrier visits for awhile.
No dice there, either - the narrow horizontal bars of the shelving don't allow much maneuvering, and when I've stuck string through there, Charlie has zero interest. It is really difficult to get him to play, and that's on a good day.As for play through existing barricades, how about a piece of string?
I could try it (the cage with me in the room). I'm nearly sure he would complain the whole time if I were in sight, but of course there's no way to know until I try! I spent about an hour in his room with him this evening, and he is so cagey after spending so much time alone these past couple days that he would not settle down. I tried to play him to exhaustion, but his meows were incessant and almost angry sounding and he had that 'wild' feel about him like the first week.Is the cage something you could put him in, so that he's in the same room as you, but unable to climb all over you and your stuff?
Do you have a radio/music playing in his room when you're gone?