I've seen something similar with Jay Jay. I adopted him last February,
and while he is affectionate, he doesn't like to be held very long, and
even less by people other than me. He does like people to reach out to
him. He just wants to be able to escape.

But the main similarity to Archie that I see is concerning nail
clipping. When I first got him, he was a little squirmy, but didn't
struggle when I did his nails. Later, he started doing the rabitt kicky
thing when I did his hind feet. A little difficult, but not too bad.

Then, last month, he used his front paws and quite deliberately,
whacked the clippers across the room. And then continued to sit there
quite calmly. He knew what he wanted to get rid of and did it.

And last week, he went further. His kicking was stronger and well
aimed. And he used his front paws to fight too. We had quite a
discussion on what is not alllowed.

So, why did he suddenly start fighting when he did not do it before?

I believe that he feels more comfortable now. He knows he's a keeper,
and I'm not going to hurt him. So, he figured he could argue without
losing his home or getting hurt.

He'll lose the argument of course. I do need to do his nails, and I
don't plan on getting hurt every time. But he is correct in the fact
that he is indeed a keeper, and while I may firmly tell him no, and I
may hold him and not let him win, I won't hurt him either.

I think it is a sign that he feels safe and comfortable, that he is
willing to push his limits more and see what he is allowed to do.

Also, when I first got him, he was like a puppy dog following me around
and everybody else in the house too. After a couple weeks, he limited
that to me, and took up the practice of ignoring the others. He has
since noticed them again and seems to like their attention. But his
main focus has been on me since the day I brought him home.

I don't know much about his history, but I suspect he has had less to
deal with than Archie. My rescue dog, who was abused before I got her
took a lot longer to get over various issues. She was absolutely
terrified when I got her. And she would try so hard to please us that
she would actually jump upward when she knew we were reaching down to
pick her up. If she knew what we wanted, she would hurry to do it. And
when confused, she would roll over in a submissive posture.  And even
after 8 years, she reverts back in certain situations. Traumatic
situations leave lasting damage. Most of it can be improved with time,
but it will never be erased.

Thanks, everyone. This makes so much sense. I think I was too close to
the situation and wasn't seeing it clearly. I understand now that it
will take a long time for Archie to feel at home here. He's such a
sweetheart.

Judy

I have to write this last little bit

it's like, his love cup was full and he was spilling it on someone else

he is an extension of you, he's the feeling thermometer, he shows
how he is being treated

just stay secure and confident towards him, you don't have to be
holding him in order for him to feel you