F1 assimilating issues....

[John Hemmerly]

My mom has my F1 (I'm in CA); she's a rehomed 10 year old female. The vinegar squirt bottle trick has tranformed Tisa from a growling, hissing, really pissed off scary cat to a much more friendly version! She is now allowing pets and brushing up against my mom and stepdad when they're in the room, and also taking treats from their hands (wouldn't get within 2 feet of them previously). She's still isolated in her own room, and has been there for 8 days now. She'll be introduced to the rest of the house soon.

Tkymasters knows of what he speaks.

Thanks for your input....I wil stay patient and take things slowly...the good cat is in there...I know she is!

John

 

[John Hemmerly]

I can't say that I agree with punishing a cat every time they hiss or growl. Hissing is a natural behavior of the Serval and some are simply very hissy...

John, I think that you just have to work at that patience and not push Portia so much. As you say it has been a couple weeks. I think that thinking it will only be a couple months before she is the same cat you met at her previous home is erroneous, it could well take longer. BUT with lots of love and patience she will come to love you back.

You likely have to make a choice between ways of training animals, there are those that think you need to dominate and be the alpha...and those that choose to not punish so much but reward all good behavior so that the animal is motivated to behave well as that gets the positive reaction.

Just hang in there! Have you tried playing hard with her, running her around so that she gets very very tired but contented and seeing if she is more tolerant of the notion of petting after that? I find many of mine are more willing to be petted andloved on after they've expended lots of energy jumping and leaping and running after a wand toy...

Hey Brigitte....

Thanks for the advice....I will give it as much time as it takes...I have played a little with her...not much though....I will try to play with her a lot this long weekend...she has responded to some wand feather toys...I will really put some effort into...I will keep you posted on my progress...

Oh, I forgot to mention this....my breeder, the former owner, came over to try and coax her out and see if she would respond to some petting, etc. She did not swat he former owner at all...she growled a little, but took treats from her hand....she wanted me to start petting her while she was petting her to show Portia that I am a good human and I was to be trusted....she let me pet her, scratch her with very little swatting...she would bite my fingers, but very lovingly....little love bites....it was a nice breakthrough. Strange thing is, she has always taken treats from my hand.....even my wife's hands...the breeder thought she looked fabulous...healthy and alert. She just said she looked confused and that she would, in time bond to me....I am going to try some positive reinforcement this weekend...I am sorry to everybody who has responded to my post that I totally forgot to mention my breeder stopping by to help me with Portia...kind of a large omission...anyway, thanks again for your continued support Brigitte...

John

 

[John Hemmerly]

I totally disagree with this. Portia is frightened - she was taken away from the only home she has ever known and the family she has bonded with. Hissing and lunging are clear signs of fear and confusion over her new situation. Acting aggressively toward her, trying to dominate her will only ensure that you will alienate her for life. If you want to win her over, you need to do so on her terms. Patience is indeed key here. Take cues from her behavior - if she doesn't like to be petted, don't pet her (some cats don't like being touched on the head btw, so try petting her from her shoulders down, but only if it doesn't cause her to cringe or try to get away).

I do agree that it would be best keeping her in a small room. Try to spend as much time with her as possible. Interact with her by playing with a wand toy, or just sit on the floor reading a book out loud so that she gets used to your voice. Unfortunately, some F1s, like Servals, bond for life with their humans and just don't do well when rehomed. It is unlikely that she will ever be a lap cat. I think at this point I think you need to accept the fact that if she only learns to tolerate you that is as good as it may ever get - and if it gets better then all the more to rejoice over.

Hi Patti....

Thank you as well for the input...I do try to give her space in the hopes she will assimilate and eventually bond with me....I will also step up my efforts to play more and bribe her with treats...I have been given the advice, I believe on this site, to sleep in the same room as her....to read aloud to familiarize her to the sound of my voice....I do speak lovingly to her a much as possible....even while she is incessantly hissing & growling at me....I will employ, as I have said numerous times before that which do not possess....patience! I will keep you posted on my progress after the long weekend....thanks again to all who have given me advice....I really do appreciate it...wish me luck and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

John

 

[John Hemmerly]

Do have any pics to post...love to see them...Good luck with the training...

Thanks for the support....I will post some...

 

[John Hemmerly]

My mom has my F1 (I'm in CA); she's a rehomed 10 year old female. The vinegar squirt bottle trick has tranformed Tisa from a growling, hissing, really pissed off scary cat to a much more friendly version! She is now allowing pets and brushing up against my mom and stepdad when they're in the room, and also taking treats from their hands (wouldn't get within 2 feet of them previously). She's still isolated in her own room, and has been there for 8 days now. She'll be introduced to the rest of the house soon.

Tkymasters knows of what he speaks.

Hello....

I am still considering the squirt bottle if all else fails....she will take treats form my hand...and if she comes in for treats excited and bites hard for them I give her a very firm NO and pull the treats back, she backs off...then comes back slowly and takes them gently from my hand...per my breeder, she is a loving, sweet cat that cherishes attention, but just needs time...she was raised under foot and was always spoiled...I will take a little piece of everybody's advice and put it to work....thanks again to everybody!

John

 

[DocMac]

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[Brigitte Cowell]

I hope that she continues to improve...it's just a slow journey for some adult F1s. I am glad the breeder did visit and I think her take was right, Portia is confused and trying to work out the new situation... I think you are doing a great job, and I know it is hard to be patient. I'm not a naturally patient person either!

 

[casper75]

I can't say that I agree with punishing a cat every time they hiss or growl. Hissing is a natural behavior of the Serval and some are simply very hissy...

John, I think that you just have to work at that patience and not push Portia so much. As you say it has been a couple weeks. I think that thinking it will only be a couple months before she is the same cat you met at her previous home is erroneous, it could well take longer. BUT with lots of love and patience she will come to love you back.

You likely have to make a choice between ways of training animals, there are those that think you need to dominate and be the alpha...and those that choose to not punish so much but reward all good behavior so that the animal is motivated to behave well as that gets the positive reaction.

Just hang in there! Have you tried playing hard with her, running her around so that she gets very very tired but contented and seeing if she is more tolerant of the notion of petting after that? I find many of mine are more willing to be petted and loved on after they've expended lots of energy jumping and leaping and running after a wand toy...

My thoughts exactly hissing is a very natural form of communication for the Seval I have a wonderful breeder friend who I speak to each month & she told me that Servals & Savannahs can have up to 20 different kinds of hisses, I'm In Australia where the Savannah is banned & I talk to my friend each month & we talk for hours about her cats I really enjoy catching up with her. John patience is unfortunately something you will have to deal with don't force your cat to do what you want her to do because it could make her worse.

Now touching on the water bottle issue here In outback Australia the temperature can get well over 100 degrees for days on end & I actually use a spray bottle to help cool my domestic cats & they totally love it.

 

[Patti]

The spray bottle in his instance is not used as a mister but as a hard thin stream of water - not too many cats enjoy that, especially if there is vinegar mixed in.

 

[John Hemmerly]

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I feel the same way....