Thats the tactic Im employing, an immediate firm and clear No! and then withdraw myself totally. Like you said - no love if you do that mate!

Mine are coming up to 2 and arrived Wednesday. Snuggles is venturing out the igloo at night and going back when we get up, but theres 4 of us in a house, whereas shes used to one person in a flat so its understandable.

Gizmo is exploring the whole house. They have numerous and different texture horizontal and vertical scratch posts, boxes etc and she is using them so shes clearly knows that she is meant to scratch there and I praise her when shes does. But a few times shes scratched the (new!) carpets and Ive told her no and she does stop. Twice shes nipped me, once when I was paying attention to Snuggles and she wasnt happy about it - said No! sharply and immediatly left the room, she retreated on top of the kitchen cupboards looking very guilty and sheepish when I returned to the room a while later! and once last night when she was playing with her grooming brush so I brushed her back and obviously it was more - or longer - than she wanted.

Was a nip, not a hard bite, but thats not acceptable to me with having children (they love the cats already and it will be hard if they get bitten as may put them off or make then scared) so I told her no sharply again and left the room, again she sat in the corner looking guilty and sheepish. I dont think shes at all nasty I think shes disorientated and stessed at such a big upheaval so am giving her the benefit of the doubt.

She follows me everywhere so I think its working and shes respecting when shes done the wrong thing, think your idea of the spray and the towel is a really good idea as claws are no fun, am sure he will settle down, keep us posted! xxxx