Quick backstory if you don't already know: Maisie was in foster care for 2 years because she is very shy, not well socialized and every time someone would visit her, she'd run away. I adopted her 4 months ago with Remy and she's been coming out of hiding a lot more, she reluctantly lets me pet her while she's eating, and sits near me when I'm in bed and I haven't fed her breakfast yet. I would love for her to feel comfortable with me petting her at any time or for her to not run when I walk around my apartment. It's probably not likely for her to feel comfortable enough to sit in my lap or for me to hold her, but it'll be a possible long-term goal for me and her.
I feel like she wants to trust me because she'll sit near me when I'm on the couch or she'll cuddle with Remy if he is near me, but she's still fearful. I'm very willing to be patient with her (considering it's been 4 months and she only recently started letting me pet her). I'm just wondering if there are more or different steps I should be taking to help her. When she reluctantly lets me pet her while she's eating (I'm always sitting on the floor when I do this), I sometimes accidentally have my hand over her head in a way that scares her and she'll run a few feet away but come back within seconds. When she runs, I may try petting her a couple more times but then I'll leave her alone until the next meal.
When she's not hiding and I'm walking around my apartment, I will watch to see how she reacts. If she looks like she's going to run, I'll slow down and turn my back to her as I walk by and she usually doesn't run.
I guess I just want to know if I'm doing things right. Progress is slow with her, but it is still progress, and if there is something different I could be doing to help her, I'd love to know.
I feel like she wants to trust me because she'll sit near me when I'm on the couch or she'll cuddle with Remy if he is near me, but she's still fearful. I'm very willing to be patient with her (considering it's been 4 months and she only recently started letting me pet her). I'm just wondering if there are more or different steps I should be taking to help her. When she reluctantly lets me pet her while she's eating (I'm always sitting on the floor when I do this), I sometimes accidentally have my hand over her head in a way that scares her and she'll run a few feet away but come back within seconds. When she runs, I may try petting her a couple more times but then I'll leave her alone until the next meal.
When she's not hiding and I'm walking around my apartment, I will watch to see how she reacts. If she looks like she's going to run, I'll slow down and turn my back to her as I walk by and she usually doesn't run.
I guess I just want to know if I'm doing things right. Progress is slow with her, but it is still progress, and if there is something different I could be doing to help her, I'd love to know.