Hi, thank you For sharing your experience. I will carry on following my instincts and hope that we will reach a place where I can handle her when I have to without causing her too much stress. I think that apart from being scruffed and held on a daily basis she had little human contact. I do think she is doing really well in a relatively short time. She is happy to play on my bed and sleep! She doesn't hide away when I am with her so she must enjoy me being around and especially the play. I haven't bought her basket/carrier in to her room yet but will do this today and make a new game out of it! In the hope I can get her in it if I need to. I will gradually introduce her to my boys and hope that they will look after her - until she takes over of course!! I will carry on working with her everyday and keep you posted
Scruffed and held on a daily basis? Is that her "socialization" and handling up to when you got her? Personally, that doesn't sound right to me. And if she was only handled once a day then that really does explain her behavior and indicates this will be a longer path... she hasn't learned to trust humans or to see the benefits in them really. And it may be true that being out with the others will demonstrate to her that you are a GOOD thing and she might want to be friendlier. If she will eat treats from your hand that is great, it's a good way to bribe her into interacting with you. She will associate those yummy things with your presence after all
I agree that the aim shoudl be that basic handling. To be able to grab her if you need to and to be able to transfer into the crate to go back and forth to your enclosure. Hopefully you can demonstrate to her the advantages of going into the carrier given she likely will enjoy the adventure of the enclosure