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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]He's still adjusting to you, he probably feels insecure since everything is new and he's been in different homes/ back to the shelter- that's a lot of change. He probably feels safest on the couch. I would sit on the couch maybe once a day for a week. Then twice/ day for the next week. Then see how it goes. Hopefully he will begin feeling comfortable and start to relax/ settle in.[/quote]

I'm PP. Also I would talk to the cat a lot, look at him, but not try to approach or touch him while you're on the couch. Just let him get used to everything at his own pace. He'll settle down.[/quote]

Yes, I’m sitting next to him right now. He’s calm. I did put cozy blankets on the couch, mostly to protect the couch. He’s calm now. He likes being near us, but I think my DD is a challenge for him. I don’t think he’s used to small children. I’ll probably have her sit with us on the couch this weekend.[/quote]

This is all good stuff, OP! Do not spray water or yell or punish; instead do what you're doing to make the cat associate the couch with good things and the fact that when humans are on the couch, good stuff happens.

Have your DD wear an old tshirt all day and sleep in it so it has her scent, then have it on the couch with you and then you feed the cat treats ON that shirt for a day or so. After that have DD move to couch, shirt next to her, and only DD (not you or DH any more) feeds treats on the shirt, on the couch. Eventually you'll be able to wean off the shirt and treats altogether. The idea is for cat to associate DD's scent, then DD herself with DD + couch = happy place for cat.

Maybe get books by cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. He's amazing and always has good advice. He finds that most "bad behavior" stems from the animal feeling insecure and therefore defensive. It's all about making the cat feel secure and confident. [/quote]

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