She is a very smart dog and learns quickly, but I can't seem to find a good way to teach her that my kitten and cat aren't toys. They kitten is the one who gets it the most because he doesn't hide. Which he shouldn't have to hide.
The cats have 2 safe zones, the basement and the backroom. The dogs only pass through the back room to potty. Other than that it is off limits to them because we were having a problem with the older dog eating kitty litter and its contents.
There are times where the older dog will attack the kitten (he isn't very nice to them, but stops when he is told to) and then the younger one will join in and they take turns biting the cat. The older dog runs when I get up, but she keeps going after the poor little guy. The best I can do it remove the kitten from the situation and put him in another room. I don't want to have to do this.
Is there a way thatt I can get her to stop? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Answers:
Your young dog is just copying your older dog. She's not trying to hurt the cats, she doesn't know any better, but watching the older dog do it makes her think she can. She doesn't run from you yet cause she doesn't know she's not supposed to do it. You have to get your older dog to stop this behavior and then you will have an easier time with the young one. Make sure you discipline both dogs, even if the older one runs from you. Also, try letting her see you holding the cat %26 kitten and give affection towards it, not to get her jealous, but to see that the cat and kitten are not prey animals, but part of the family too.
I would call a trainer and ask for some tips on how to fix this problem. Good luck...
I also agree with the answer above.dont keep seperating them. They will never get used to each other that way.
Some dogs have very high prey drive and obviously yours considers the kitten and cat as prey.
You can't change the dog's nature, you need to keep the cats and dog separate.
i am currently getting my German Shepherd used to my cat, the dog is 1 yrs old and the cat is 9 months old. When they fist met it was barking from her and spitting and growling from him , very very slowly we have introduced them to each other, we leave doors upstairs open so the cat as a escape route and a great height to get to ( usually a wardrobe), the cat went to live upstairs at first and hid, at first i put his litter and his food up there, but then i realised they "had" to live together, even if it was not as bosom buddies they had to know of each others existence, so i brought his food down and his litter, then what we did was, we brought the cat down in to the same room as the dog, the cat was wrapped in a blanket to save us being clawed to death and so he felt secure in someones arms. We then let them sniff each other, the next thing we did was put him on the windowcill and feed them both treats, supervised of course. If the dog looks as if its going for the cat we yell NO LEAVE IT..and stuff like dont u dare..then loads and loads of praise when she walked by the cill and didnt bark or anything.
Recently the cat as decided he is coming downstairs when he wants, and i think its because he is no longer as scared as he was, and he knows we stop the dog in its tracks , he also by the way sticks up for himself and she as had 2 swipes on the nose, thankfully she did not retaliate. We then started feeding at the same time, so they get breakfast together and thier evening meal...he is on the kitchen windowcill so he can eat in peace. The cat and the dog will now sit in the same room and even relax and go to sleep in the same room. The dog will sniff him and leave him alone.Sometimes the cat gives a warning growl and the odd spit.
It takes time and patience hun, and i know trust me how exhausted you are , cos your house is like world war 3... mine was too, we still have the chase, the cat leaves the room the dog chases, but he is faster...we are getting there and you will to..be firm with the dogs, raised voices and NO DONT TOUCH and lie down..when the cats are close by..dont seperate them , keep introducing them ..i honestly think my dog is bored of barking at my cat, cos it gets her nowhere except being reprimanded. We are not there 100% yet, the dog sleeps in our room at night and the cat sleeps in my kids room, she is shut in and he as the run of the house so he can use his litter tray in peace. etc.AND if he needs his litter tray she is removed from the room, cos if he loses his confidence with his tray , we would have other problems.My dog eats the litter tray contents aswell, its gross isnt it? i scoop it up if i see it in time and dispose of it before she sees it..Hope my experiences help you hun,, firmness with the dogs...stop them in thier tracks.
All the above as happened over 4 weeks, ive ben told it could take months and months to get them fully living in peace.
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