Not actually hurting Pixie when she was so little, was a big trick, but I figured out how to deliver a sort of half-swat/half-shove that would tumble her over without a sharp impact to her little bod. I’d flip her over, and she’d roll a foot or two across the carpet, and, before she could collect her wits, I’d scoop her up in my hands and give her a big, purring snuggle. Consistency in implementing that “training” was really what cracked the chestnut.
Initially, she’d respond to being hugged with another bout of teeth and claws, but, after a couple of weeks, that response turned into something more like play fighting than serious intent to do harm. She never did get to where she liked being picked up, much less being held for any length of time, and she always insisted that she be allowed to approach anyone new on her own terms, but she did get to where she wouldn’t bite at all, and wouldn’t break out the claws without giving fair warning, first.
I would never in a zillion years hurt a small animal (including a small person.)
In fact, I trained as a veterinary office assistant, and had a dream of being a vet-tech. But I had to discard that due to prolonged illness.
There has never been a dog or cat that I couldn’t get close to, even those whose owners say the animal doesn’t like people. So I’m not about to hurt an animal who acts on instinct.
However, when the “mom-cat” methods don’t work, something a little stronger is needed. I only had to do it once. She is stubborn, not stupid.