I'm new to cats (though I have always been an admirer), and I am pretty good/experienced with dogs, but I would very much appreciate your collective experience.
My kitten has recently started to try to climb my leg to get some love. I give her lots of attention, but she is presently living in my bathroom most of the time (she's so tiny, and my house is big & old & full of other critters that I am still slowly introducing her to). She is very affectionate, talkative and playful -- but also VERY impatient. If I am washing my face, or brushing my teeth and do not sit on the floor & snuggle with her immediately she has decided to take it upon herself to try to get to me (hence the climbing). I am all for positive training methods, and it takes alot to not swat her away from me as she is digging her talons into my leg -- but I really do not want to injure her, or have her associate any negativity with me. I'm at a bit of a loss. I know that this is a behaviour that needs to be stopped immediately, but I also know that this is a trial behaviour to get my attention, so if I remove her from my leg, she is getting the attention she was seeking. I suppose that if I give her the attention she is seeking BEFORE she tries to climb me, this behaviour could well be forgotten -- but I do still need to wash my face, etc.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My kitten has recently started to try to climb my leg to get some love. I give her lots of attention, but she is presently living in my bathroom most of the time (she's so tiny, and my house is big & old & full of other critters that I am still slowly introducing her to). She is very affectionate, talkative and playful -- but also VERY impatient. If I am washing my face, or brushing my teeth and do not sit on the floor & snuggle with her immediately she has decided to take it upon herself to try to get to me (hence the climbing). I am all for positive training methods, and it takes alot to not swat her away from me as she is digging her talons into my leg -- but I really do not want to injure her, or have her associate any negativity with me. I'm at a bit of a loss. I know that this is a behaviour that needs to be stopped immediately, but I also know that this is a trial behaviour to get my attention, so if I remove her from my leg, she is getting the attention she was seeking. I suppose that if I give her the attention she is seeking BEFORE she tries to climb me, this behaviour could well be forgotten -- but I do still need to wash my face, etc.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.