Hello Fellow Savannites

[Carykd7kau]

It was Kilifi's place to sleep at night when Merlin was still here. She has not used it since. Now she sleeps with me, so I doubt she will claim it.
Azidi has been out a couple of times, but not like that the night she came way out. But I am gonna try more this weekend. And try to let Kilif just roam in her room.

 

[Carykd7kau]

I have also discovered..or rather Azidi has discovered a nice High shelf in the closet. She has spent a lot of time in there. Seems to like to nap in there when the lights are on. It is dark in there. She also cannot be seen from the floor. Thinking she is looking for some hiding places.

 

[Patti]

It sounds like Azidi has already found her high ground then. Try bringing Kilifi in the room when she's up there, she may feel safer up high rather than under the bed.

 

[Carykd7kau]

I was going to do that today when I got home, but Sneaky Kilifi darted in when I was getting Zidi's food dish and the chase was on. Zidi in the closet again. This time, before I could get my wits about me, Kilifi attacked in the closet. Zidi was cornered and could not get out. I yelled, Kilifi balked, and I was able to pull her out. When I got the room secured, it took Zidi an hour to come out. But she did and is ok. no injuries. And she is out and about in her room.

 

[Patti]

Kilifi is really being a PIA. Have you ever read Cat vs. Cat? I wonder if there are some ideas in there that might help you: http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Vs-Keeping-Peace-When/dp/0142004758

Deborah is right, you might want to consider clicker training.

 

[Carykd7kau]

It is a time thing for me Patti. I have about 5 hours of Awake time at home each day. That is the primary reason my house is a mess. No time to keep it up and also have any kind of life. So time for regular training would be hard to find. Damn. I need to retire. Wish I could.
But you are right... Kilifi is being A PIA. She had a one hour time out locked away in my bedroom alone after her behavior today. She has been a lot more docile since. Maybe...

 

[Patti]

I totally understand the time issue, but I think you can even work on clicker training for 15 minutes once or twice a day and be effective, depending on how receptive the cats are. I suspect Kilifi would be an excellent pupil, Azidi I'm not sure of.

As far as time out goes, cats have short memories (good thing in this situation) but in any case, a time out usually isn't effective for more than 10-15 minutes... unless you were using that time to keep Azidi's door open and try to coax her out for a bit...

 

[Carykd7kau]

Ok Patti and Deb.
I am reading up on how to clicker train, and I will be sending off for a couple of clickers. Since there are two cats each with a different behaior needing modification, I somehow doubt I could do both at once in the same place. I think Kilifi is the first to tackle...her attack desire. If I can get that under control, I can then tackle Zidi's fear based existence. Once I get her more relaxed, then try to get the togetherness thing.
Am I looking at this correctly? I have NEVER tried to do any real formal training with Cats. They just kind of warmed up and did what I wanted. I just need advice.

 

[Carykd7kau]

And as for Zidi coming out of her room, she wants to I can tell, but she is afraid of Kilifi. I know Kilifi is NOT being mean or viscious, but simply wants to play. The confrontations are simply an escalation of the flight response of Zidi and the play response of Kilifi. Zidi will be the hard nut to crack. KiKi will be an easy mark. She WANTS to please me. I can see that in her action with me. After her time out, she was almost crying, feeling I was mad. She came to me and licked, loved and hung on me, wanting pets. Maybe I SHOULD talk to Kristin and see if I have the ability to become a communicator. I just want my girls happy and friendly.

 

[Carykd7kau]

OK. Ordered some clickers. Be here Thursday. ( I'm cheap, that's why...)