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Posted by Topic subject:   I'm new and at my wit's end... help!
lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-14-2003 11:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
Hi everyone. I was looking for some information online and found this forum. I am DESPERATE for help. I found a few other topics on the subject here, but I need more specific help.

My husband and I adopted a German Shepard mix from a local shelter(10 months old then) a month ago. We have four cats. As one could guess, he's never been around cats and goes crazy when he sees them. Right now, he's baby-gated on our first floor and the cats stay upstairs. The cats don't care to come down and meet the dog. The dog only wants to chase the cats since he sees them run everytime and his prey drive kicks in.

Last night, he jumped the baby gate and ended up staring at our one cat (who was safe on a dresser). I think our pup is merely curious and wants to play with the cats. He can't get close enough to smell them and can't properly meet them. But, we held him as he stared at our cat last night and he just sat there, tail wagging, looking curiously at the cat. The cat merely growled. We called it a night after several minutes fearing it was too much for the cat.

Long story short, I think the dog wants to meet and play with the cats. The cats obviously want nothing to do with him and won't come downstairs to meet him. I don't want a baby-gated house for 15 years (that the dog may jump and chase the cats, anyway). And I don't want scared cats who live upstairs and are afraid to be in their own house in fear of being chased.

What can I do to get them together and tolerate each other? I don't expect them to be best of friends, but I don't want a chase scene in my living room each night, either. I'm sure I gave enough info for now. Any help would be so greatly appreciated !!!!

Thank you!

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RottyMommy

Moderator

Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-14-2003 12:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
Ok you have only had the puppy for a month and he is only 10 months old. He is still adapting to his new house as are the cats to him. An animal isnt fully adjusted into a household until about 6 months living there. So he is still checking things out. Does he have obedience training. If not I would start there. Once you get his relationship with you built you can work on the cats. It doesnt sound like he does want to hurt the cats but at the same time you dont want to take that chance. I would get his obedience level to the point that when he is doing something you can put him in a sit stay or a down stay. Than you can work on when the cats come around you can put him in a stay. He wont resent the cats cuz he is getting lots of praise from you for staying and the cats will slowly start to come out knowing they are not going to be chased. It will take time no matter which way you go about it. But with work I wouldnt see why they couldnt eventually get along. I will ask my neighbor who has 4 cats and 3 labs how they work around the whole cat dog issue and see what they say.

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lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-14-2003 01:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you. I did forget to say that we're in the middle of training right now. That's why we're not pushing the introductions too much.

We're in the middle of sit-stay and he does it fairly well but only when not distracted at this point.

I'd appreciate if you asked your neighbor about their animals.

Something has to work out, even if it remains seperation. We won't give up on our children!

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honeybear
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Posts: 152
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-14-2003 02:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
thats great she is getting her training at that age, their attention span in small and you just have to work with her a lot at home, being under voice command if she wants to chase the cats.It just takes a lot of patience I have a very unusual cat, He does not run at all. So if a dog comes running up to him he justs sits there and holds his ground.
Good luck
Hoenybear

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Lucky
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Posts: 48
From:
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-14-2003 03:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lucky     Edit/Delete Message
Hi,

We are just working on this problem with our puppy and two cats. I found that our last dog never completely stopped chasing one of our cats. The one cat just learned to stay away from him. The other, older cat would just let her sniff - but only if the cat was on a chair or table and had an easy get away. Sometimes the older cat would walk by and swat the dog because she seemed to actually want to be chased.

When our dog chased our cats and managed to catch one, she would thump a big paw on top of them and lick them like crazy. The cats hated that! I was never sure if the dog was being motherly or doing a taste test!

In any case, even though the chasing never completely stopped - no one ever got hurt. In fact, when our dog was dying we always knew when she was in the worst pain because the older cat would lie down next to her and start grooming the dog. It was really strange and very touching. (At least it shows that any chasing that goes on will not necessarily leave permanent psych. damage to your cats!)

I have a feeling that the dog's personality and the cat's personality all come into play when getting everyone to live together. But if you can get your dog to stop chasing cats on command, I want to know how you do that!

Our new puppy is still smaller than the cats and right now the older cat ignores her and the younger cat sometimes chases her and sometimes is chased by her. But, as of today there has never been any bloodshed (fingers crossed).

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lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-14-2003 04:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
I don't think the dog will hurt the cats on purpose. But, I guess it's intimidating that we brought a big, slobbery, 50 pound dog into the house of clean, independant cats (or that's how they see it)!

I almost hope that the dog gets one swat on the face and he'll learn to back off real quick and know the cats aren't toys.

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Maisey
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Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-14-2003 04:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey   Click Here to Email Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Both of my cats are "dog wise", they will not run away and do swat at the dogs. One of my cats actually likes to play with one of my dogs, but she says when and how and where, she also calls the game done when she see's fit! Both of my dogs will chase a running cat or anything else that runs, it's the prey drive that is so strong in herding dogs. I have a very good recall on my 2 year old dog, and working on the puppy. Although the two year old will recall reliably, it hasn't stopped him from starting out the chase, and I don't think that will ever stop. I have noticed that as time goes by our older cat who is not doing so great...will snuggle up to the puppy, he pushes his face and body all over the puppy purring like mad. The puppy always looks amazed and dumbfounded...but starts cleaning him all the same. I think the dogs sense that he doesn't have long and have decided to "take care of him". At any rate, all dogs are different, it takes time and consistentcy. Getting a strong recall on your dog is a must, always anticipate...look for trouble. Take your dog out on walks on a leash...you are bound to run into cats and this gives you the chance to practice commands while you have control via the leash.

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puttin510
Member

Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-14-2003 09:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
Your cats are not used to living with a dog. In time they will learn to be buddies or at least tolerate each other. My sister rescue poodle and cat chase each other and tackle and roll about. It is really funny to watch. In time it will work out. Let them get used to each other its early.

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lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-15-2003 08:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you.

I know it's early. When I look back, it will seem like no time. I just feel bad for my kitties right now.

At least it sounds like we're on the right track. I guess we just need some more time and work!

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jeminn
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Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-20-2003 09:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn   Click Here to Email jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
Do your cats have their claws? We have two cats, and two dogs. We never thought we could have a cat with our Husky, who is now 16 years old. A cat strolled into our neighborhood about 8 years ago, and picked our house to adopt. We were concerned about the safety of this stray cat, given our Husky has a history of chasing and harrassing cats she has come in contact with before. However, we decided to let this black cat meet our husky, and we put them both in the garage and let our Husky find out that cats can fight back. It took only one swipe and our Husky has forever respected and tolerated cats ever since. We now have two cats, and had to do the same thing with our second cat- one swipe and our husky knew she was off limits. If I would have kept them apart, it would have driven us all crazy having to make sure their were barriers up- you can't live like that with dogs and cats for long. We just got a puppy austrailian shepherd. Our puppy would dearly love to play with the cats, but they are not interested. Again, we have found that the best way to socialize is to let nature takes it's course (with supervision) and let the dog learn that cats have their boundaries. In time your shepherd will learn his boundaries with the cats, what he can and cannot get away with. If you are constantly putting barriers up between them you will never be able to trust your dog. Go about your day, your animals will eventually adjust to each other and find their place in your home. If your cats do not have the ability to defend themselves then restrict your dog on a leash as you let him approach the cats. Chances are he does not want to attack, but play and sniff. You will have to do this several times a day until you feel you can trust your shepherd off-leash. It takes patience and time, but in the end it will be worth your efforts.

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lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-22-2003 03:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
Jeminn, My cats are fully armed. I would like them to take a swipe. I'm hesitant to throw them together because my cats will probably be tramatized. (They're sensitive and rather wussy). I think we'll move his crate to a place where the cats can come and check it out without being chased. I guess it will take time.


But, your story gives me hope. Thank you.

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