Dormouse Part 2 - How to Tame a scared cat or kitten

Dormouse is a 4 month old male kitten with serious fear issues. In part 2 of Dormouse's story, we begin the process of gentle, repetitive socialization to build trust around people. We still have a long way to go before Dormouse can be adopted, but he's already come a long way from the hissing, biting, terrified little boy that I brought home from the shelter! Links to Dormouse Part 1 at end of video.

[mathgasm]

I adopted a scared Siamese last year but I live alone so she hates everyone else. However, when everyone is gone she sleeps right by me and talks about everything that happened when I was gone.

[moonspinner]

I've been trying to socialize my first feral, a 4 year old adult female. I've been at it for about a month and still had not touched her with my hand. Then yesterday afternoon I came across this video. I immediately put your "lessons" into practice with Murphy and tonight I can pet her with my gloved hand! She leans her head into my hand so I can scratch her ears and raises her head so I can scratch her chinny, chin, chin! I cannot tell you how happy I feel and more importantly, how relaxed and peaceful and at ease my little girl is! I am so grateful! Thank you and little Dormouse so very much for the lessons. I'm a fan for life.

[celestus]

Cats come with a natural borderline "disorder". Treat them with unconditional affection in their formative years, and they are yours forever. Be inconsistent, and you lose the game.

[chantel]

I've never seen a cat that likes to be petted slightly more roughly lool so cute

[infracta]

Would you consider posting a typical schedule for the first 2-3 days of receiving a feral kitten like Dormouse? Would be great to get a sense of how much time they're spending per day in the social box, and what to look out for before attempting to lift/cuddle as you do later in the video (I can't possibly consider lifting my new feral kittens, they just scratch and freak out).

[emmiesstar]

I'm really learning a lot of useful things I can implement at the shelter I volunteer 😘

[collectorofcats]

He‘s adorable!!! Thank you for loving this little guy...

[dmstauffer]

I became a rescue a few months back. A few weeks back I ended up with a litter of 3 feral 6 month old kittens. These videos have been extremely helpful! So glad they are still up after so many years. Thank you for sharing! Truly appreciate it

[hzdai]

I actually tamed my cat a different way. Everyday the cat would follow my male cat to my house and we would feed her treats, soon we lead the cat into my my house using food, after maybe 2 or 3 hours it got used to us and trusted us. Cats are smart eh. 😺

[srobindittrich]

I have been watching your videos for about a week. Although I am only allowed to have one pet in my apartment, I am finding Kitten Training very useful. You have a very calm speaking voice that is very engaging. Your sense of humor and the gentle but firm way you handle all the feral kitties is delightful.

[hoodwitch]

That's a cool kitty condo !!! Adorable kitty too! Precious 😄

[halthebearded]

Honestly doormouse is my favorite thing right now

[MyDreamInWonderland]

Thank you so much for the social box tip!! I'm dealing with a very afraid cat and she won't move from her hiding place, still "attacking" me when I reach out to her, I think this tip will really help us build trust <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[SharonThib-o-dew]

I have the exact same cage you have that was bought at a garage sale. The litter box is on the other side though and the one that has the stairs is lowered more. I took your video and put the set up the same. Thanks for that.

[Dani-thcl]

2:26 Dormouse's face so cute. He's smiling.

[christat]

he's face has too much character.

[thegonz]

I know it's tough, but can anyone think of a better name for a cat than Dormouse?

[BonesofStarlight]

Thanks for helping him! He's a sweetheart!

[fatbuddycat]

Such a little cutey! Love the social box concept. I had a cat Ozzy that was a real wild man and he could have really used a social box! He was a full size 4 year old fur ball of fury, we didn't use gloves with him because they would have done no justice at all. We had to be stern with him because he was a total alpha cat. Even after he calmed down you still had to let him do his thing. If he wanted food he would jump up on the counter, then we would feed him. If he wanted pets we would wait till he sat on our lap and head bumped us. It took a good 6 months before you could just pick him up and hug him. He lived with my family for 10 years and was a great friend. We believe he was on the streets for at least a year before the shelter got him. My dad chose him because he was such a fighter but purred when he battled him (without gloves agsinst the shelter's suggestion) out of the cage and held him for 10 minutes. My dad said the gloves showed fear and he wasn't having that! A kitten that doesn't know human interaction is one thing, this was like trying to grab a neglected wolverine! The sounds he made were terrifying enough.

[gruberschmitermit]

0:48 The cats face lol, he's plotting the destruction of humanity.