If you’ve been following my what to do about Tabby dilemma regarding the way she treats Mr. Meow, you’re aware that I’ve been looking for new ways to help them get along. One of those ways was trying to use positive reinforcement. Maybe you’re wondering how that’s working out.
To be honest, it’s been working. Sort of.
Mr. Meow is still skittish if Tabby’s around. Coaxing him out into her presence so I could reward the both of them has been an obstacle. But we’re getting there.
The Sun Room
For some reason, the sun room is the one place they tolerate each other. There’s no snuggling together or anything of that nature, but Mr. Meow won’t run for cover if Tabby decides to come hang out in there with him.
And hang out she has been. Like the red hut, Tabby has decided to commandeer Mr. Meow’s green chair.
I never thought he’d give that up. That green chair’s been his refuge ever since we moved to Nashville. But now she’s the one who sleeps on it during the day, forcing him to find new digs. Sometimes he stays in the sun room and sleeps on the carpet remnants we put down, but the last couple of weeks he’s laid claimed to the leather chair.
The Leather Chair
Murphy and him trade off claiming this piece of furniture. (Which was supposed to be my reading respite, but I’ve never gotten to use it for that!) At first Mr. Meow took to hiding in the corner behind it, but more and more now he’s either sitting in the chair or lounging on top of it.
This is a good sign. When he’s out, I’ve been praising and petting him, using the positive reinforcement approach. It didn’t take long to see it was working, especially when he realized Tabby wasn’t going to attack the moment she spotted him.
Which prompted me to pet and praise her too at the same time. If they are near enough to each other where I can pet both, that is. Otherwise I have to get up and trade off affection.
But it’s working. Mr. Meow is getting braver by the day. He dares to come out and greet me in the kitchen again. And every time I see them behaving together, I praise them right away.
So, yes, it’s working. Slowly, but surely, we’re seeing the effects.