Is it to soon??

[Louie'sDad]

Leto was 15 months when he got 'home' and is 17 months now. Tomorrow is 8 weeks in total. He was well socialize, but I think is just a slow truster. The catch coach told us to use our index finger only extended when reaching out to Leto instead of the whole hand.. and WOW! The last two days he approaches for a sniff without ears back and paw raised. He follows us around and plays like there is no tomorrow with us, but petting is still off limits. I was unsure if a new furry buddy would easy the transition or worsen it. For now thought the 'deal' was to good to be true. And experience and advice says to wait for Leto to be be 100% trusting with us before introducing a new pal.

If Leto is an early generation SV, then it will be very difficult to redirect his loyalty to his new parents at such a late stage.

My vote goes to being VERY patient and persistent with him. IMHO, you must win his trust so that he bonds to you, first. I would NOT confuse the issue by introducing a new member. You will only be masking the problem, and this may forever prevent him from bonding to you.

 

[Pam and Will]

Thanks Louie'sDad, that is what we are finding out overall. I wanted to explore in case it would help Leto along, but that is not the case. He is the first and foremost concern, and with a new plan thanks to 'The Cat Coach' we are making headway.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I say go with the Cat Coach's advice on working with Leto. He will come around and the time you spend with him will be so worth it for the bond you will form

 

[Pam and Will]

Oh yes! He is already our buddy, just need to pet the little guy!

 

[John Popp]

My F1 loves everybody, surprisingly (except one neighbor of mine).

There is likely good reason for this, most likely predisposition of his servant or they are someone aligned with the local squirrels.

 

[Louie'sDad]

There is likely good reason for this, most likely predisposition of his servant or they are someone aligned with the local squirrels.

He probably senses how I feel about this particular neighbor, all kidding aside. Otherwise he senses something disconcerting in the neighbor's attitude when the neighbor approaches.

As far as squirrels, I'll have to post up some shots of Louie clinging to the approximately 30" diameter trunk of a poplar tree IFO my house. He gets about 12 feet up before he loses his momentum, and then clings there for 10-15 seconds until he decides to unhook and drop.

I can't lose him because I have him harnessed and leashed with the free end of the leash attached with a swivel to 50 pound test monofilament wrapped around the spool of my Penn Squidder reel attached to the butt end of my rod. Works great and I can set the drag and play him, just like a fish. I can now let out unlimited line and still control him while keeping him in my sight.

 

[Pam and Will]

I was thinking of a fishing rod as a play toy rod for his feather chasers. But that is a BRILLIANT idea!