Two steps forward, one back
Both cats slept in my lap today, peacefully and after having licked each other in the face and side. It was very nice to see them sleep next to each other, relaxed and peaceful. Chloe has also stopped growling and hissing at Dotty.
Chloe now comes into the living room and up into the sofa when she meows and I reply to her, and sits down in the sofa.
But one time Chloe was in my lap and Dotty came and took up the rest of the space. Dotty then sat down to wash herself, when Chloe suddenly tried to bite her in the neck.
I gave Chloe two pokes in the side to snap her out of the aggression and then made the No!-signal loudly. Both she and Dotty jumped down from the sofa but neither of them ran very far. Chloe came back and tried to sit down again in my lap but walked away when I didnt pet her.
I really wish I had taken hold of her and held her down like you would with a dog in the same situation, as that would have given a very clear signal that that kind of behavior is unwanted. I think in those situations, when she shows that much aggression, I need to assert myself much more physically than I have.
Last time Chloe did something like that, I took her and lifted her out of the sofa and then poked her. I think holding her makes her really feel I have control over her.
The most annoying thing was that Chloe tried to bite Dotty again a little later, when they both came back to my lap. Once again I wasn't quick enough to catch Chloe, but walked after her till she left the living room, pushed her out with my presence. In retrospect I think I should have stared her down more than I did, at least that's what it feels like. The fact that she tried to bite Dotty twice show that she didn't get the point the first time.
Later in the evening I had to stop Dotty from jumping Chloe, so at least Dotty didn't get very scared of the incident.
It does worry me though that Chloe tried to bite Dotty in the neck, right in front of me. I didn't see the warning signals, so Chloe is a little unpredictable.
From now on I'm not letting them sleep that close and lean into each other as I think Chloe wants her space away from Dotty.
I also found out why Chloe runs around meowing when Dotty is in my lap. Chloe wants me to leave Dotty and come to her. When Chloe is in my lap, Dotty does the same thing. We have some serious jealousy issues here.
I think I need to make Chloe submit to Dotty so she understands that she can't bite Dotty. Once again I'm seriously considering sending Chloe back to the breeder. If she is going to start biting, it will be hard to deal with her, as I have no leash to put her on and can't do the dog walk with her.
A cat mother does the same as a dog and pushes unruly kittens to the ground and keeps them down till they submit to her. I may have to do the same with Chloe, but I'm hesitant as she might bite me and if the holding down is not done right, I fear it might lead to more aggression.
Chloe now comes into the living room and up into the sofa when she meows and I reply to her, and sits down in the sofa.
But one time Chloe was in my lap and Dotty came and took up the rest of the space. Dotty then sat down to wash herself, when Chloe suddenly tried to bite her in the neck.
I gave Chloe two pokes in the side to snap her out of the aggression and then made the No!-signal loudly. Both she and Dotty jumped down from the sofa but neither of them ran very far. Chloe came back and tried to sit down again in my lap but walked away when I didnt pet her.
I really wish I had taken hold of her and held her down like you would with a dog in the same situation, as that would have given a very clear signal that that kind of behavior is unwanted. I think in those situations, when she shows that much aggression, I need to assert myself much more physically than I have.
Last time Chloe did something like that, I took her and lifted her out of the sofa and then poked her. I think holding her makes her really feel I have control over her.
The most annoying thing was that Chloe tried to bite Dotty again a little later, when they both came back to my lap. Once again I wasn't quick enough to catch Chloe, but walked after her till she left the living room, pushed her out with my presence. In retrospect I think I should have stared her down more than I did, at least that's what it feels like. The fact that she tried to bite Dotty twice show that she didn't get the point the first time.
Later in the evening I had to stop Dotty from jumping Chloe, so at least Dotty didn't get very scared of the incident.
It does worry me though that Chloe tried to bite Dotty in the neck, right in front of me. I didn't see the warning signals, so Chloe is a little unpredictable.
From now on I'm not letting them sleep that close and lean into each other as I think Chloe wants her space away from Dotty.
I also found out why Chloe runs around meowing when Dotty is in my lap. Chloe wants me to leave Dotty and come to her. When Chloe is in my lap, Dotty does the same thing. We have some serious jealousy issues here.
I think I need to make Chloe submit to Dotty so she understands that she can't bite Dotty. Once again I'm seriously considering sending Chloe back to the breeder. If she is going to start biting, it will be hard to deal with her, as I have no leash to put her on and can't do the dog walk with her.
A cat mother does the same as a dog and pushes unruly kittens to the ground and keeps them down till they submit to her. I may have to do the same with Chloe, but I'm hesitant as she might bite me and if the holding down is not done right, I fear it might lead to more aggression.