One thing I've found with Meka that works best - and you are right about me jerking away when she bites and that is when it tears the skin - is to say "owe!!". She backs off - she doesn't want to hurt us. Also to stop play immediately which is not at all what they want - they learn that if they bite the play will stop so they stop biting. Now when I see she is getting carried away I don't jerk away from her teeth but say calmly "Easy, Easy" and she will either lighten up then quit or just quit altogether. Meka was wild too and we have had her 8 months now and we are still learning her and her us. This is our first cat so we are learning same as you. I'm finding time and patience is good. We keep our door closed at night since she loved to start playing about 4-5am with feet, hands, jump on head and then if that didn't work to tear down the blinds by the bed which she knows getts an instant reaction. The best punishment for when she tears things up or is overly aggressive and bites or scratches on purpose to hurt us is the carrier - we put her in there for about an hour or so - now she goes in calmly knowing she is in trouble... Sometimes I think she wants in there!!! But she has gotten much better as long as we are consistant in the punishment. Debbie