Hi everyone,
Three days ago, I adopted Maïa from a rescue centre.
The rescue thinks she’s about 3 months old (I’ve got a vet appointment on Monday, so I’ll probably find out more then...)
Overall, she’s a very sweet girl who has already settled into the house and garden. Most of the time, she comes when called and waits for me to take her out for a wee (as for the poos, we’re not quite there yet, but I know she’ll get there in time 😌).
She nips a lot, especially at my feet and ankles! (She’s pretty much stopped doing it to hands thanks to a gentle method I found on a forum). Saying a firm "NO" and giving her a toy instead only works for about 30 seconds before she's back at it... When she gets really overexcited, I put her in a separate room for ten minutes to calm down, but I’ve had to do that twice tonight.
She had calmed down, but two minutes later she was trying to climb onto the sofa (she isn't allowed up) to get to my feet, and was tugging at the throw over and over (I didn't give in; I just held the throw and told her to "leave it", pulling gently until she let go). Eventually, I just ignored her when she tried to climb up. She finally settled down in her bed. (She’s too small to make it onto the sofa right now, but that won't be the case for long!)
So, I'm looking for some advice on how to make her understand she isn't allowed to nip feet and ankles or hang off my trousers. She does it while I'm walking and even when I'm standing still.
I know it takes a lot of patience and I'm ready to put in the work and spend plenty of time with her, but when she's being stubborn and feisty like she was tonight, I feel a bit overwhelmed...
Thanks in advance for your help!
