Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

S

sarakay

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 1, 2005
Messages
5
Purraise
0
My progress with Suzie - an adult feral who I've posted about here before - goes in fits and starts. A few days ago I thought we were coming very close to the first head bump and maybe even a pat, but today she is hiding behind the sofa. Her socialization seems to follow a pattern: she gets very brave and tries something new, then seems to get a little scared of what she has done and regresses a bit.

Is this pattern normal for adult ferals?

If I look back on where we've come from, there's definitely a lot of progress. But looking at it day to day, it gets a bit discouraging.

Thanks,
Sara
 
StefanZ

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,071
Purraise
10,773
Location
Sweden
Learning is often like this, going in plateau after plateau. As I understand it is going on very well for you. As long as you have the patience and endurance, the victory will be there!

A homeless but ex-tame can often be tame again quick. But feral takes usually his/hers time.
 
E

elizwithcat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,303
Purraise
2
Originally Posted by SaraKay

My progress with Suzie - an adult feral who I've posted about here before - goes in fits and starts. A few days ago I thought we were coming very close to the first head bump and maybe even a pat, but today she is hiding behind the sofa. Her socialization seems to follow a pattern: she gets very brave and tries something new, then seems to get a little scared of what she has done and regresses a bit.

Is this pattern normal for adult ferals?

If I look back on where we've come from, there's definitely a lot of progress. But looking at it day to day, it gets a bit discouraging.

Thanks,
Sara
Click to expand...
Other people with ferals have described similar things, so, it's normal.
 
hissy

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
77
Yes it is normal, and don't take it to heart. They aren't used to trusting humans and so when they do, they have second thoughts and draw back- they are (and this is just my read on it) testing you to to see what you do. If you ignore them, they draw out again, if you pursue them for pets, or scratches or hugs, you might as well toss all your good work out the door along with the bathwater. Give this girl the same response every time- she initiates contact, give her a quick pat and that is all. Don't overdo it, just one pet, anything else and you could go back to square one and stay there awhile.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
S

sarakay

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 1, 2005
Messages
5
Purraise
0
Thanks, folks, now I don't feel so discouraged.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top