long overdue update

hello, friends of harley :) its been too long since i last posted but i'm happy to say its because harley and i have been busy enjoying every day and training and haven't been on the computer all that much.

i'm pleased to report that harley's biting has all but stopped in that he hasn't drawn blood in over a month now. he did attack the top of my foot which is about all he does now and so he gets a little time out, not the full 30 minutes like originally, to remind him its not acceptable behavior. my wounds from earlier bites are pretty much scars now so i'm using a scar cream to reduce their appearance. right now harley is curled up in his look out post that was formerly my tiger's favorite spot. he has the softest blanket i own in there with him and the slider door is open so he has all the fresh air he can handle. plus, have i mentioned how nosy he is? he could provide a full report on the neighborhood if i let him lol funniest was when the lawn sprinklers were on. he could here their signature "phht phht phht" but not see them. it was hilarious to watch him trying to scope out the source of the noise.

i attribute his change in biting habits to more attention paid on my part, to both him in general and also being more aware of the signs that he was agitated. many times i placed him in the crate at the mere suspicion that he was getting worked up and would bite. it seemed to calm him and or get him to stop the agitation he was feeling. also rewarding his good behavior and enjoying the new routine of head butts and brushing him as he sits on the bathroom sink in the morning when i'm getting ready for work.

he also is no longer allowed in the bedroom at night and that's been for almost 2 months if not longer. during the day when i'm at work i might leave the door to the bedroom open so he can chill on the bed without me, but i want it to be a treat and not the norm.

i have yet to procure a bird or mouse viseo for him to watch but i haven't actually gone looking for any. i'll make a point to do that this month. and i firmly believe the feliway room diffuser plug in thingy has also helped to keep him calmer 24/7.

i will say this though, harley has replaced biting with being on the no harley zone kitchen table lol i suppose its a trade off.

peace. shalom. namaste.