Please help with this Joeseff issue?

Question

Joeseff is a 2 year old, husky/chow/doberman mix. From the day we got him, we knew he had agressive tendancies. At just over a year, we had to have him fixed because they were out of hand - he was attacking every other male dog we had. Getting him fixed solved this problem. Yesterday, he got out of his pen located in the basement for the winter months (large, spacey and shared with 4 other dogs), and attacked and killed one of my cats. We only had that cat for 2 months, the cat was about a year old. Everyone is telling me that I should have Joe put down for it. I don't think so - even though I loved the cat, I realize that dogs and cats are natural enemies and sometimes this happens - but everyone keeps saying that if he will kill a cat, he will attack people. What should I do? Are they right, or can I simply try to teach Joe to leave my cats alone? If he can be taught, how do I do it? I know this is a loaded question and I thank anyone for taking time to read and answer me.

Answer 1

Only you know the dog personally and you know wether his actually a danger or not. Personally, I wouldn't put him down. I would look for a trainer or something along those lines. You should call the dog whisperer...haha.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I have JRT/Beagle that everyone tells me is going to kill my cats. I hate to make it sound so simple, but for me it was. Junior used to harrass my cats constantly (I've only had him for 8 months and he's almost 2). I had to actually separate him and my female torti once as neither of them were about to give in. This is actually the only aspect of his training that I will give him negative attention. I smacked him on his rump the ONE time when he tried to grab my cats throat (I do not approve of this treatment for pets and it is NOT something I practice with my dogs, I'm ashamed to admit that I did it) but it has made a difference. Now, I don't have to do anything but tell him no and he backs off. He will still slowly stalk the cat and try to make it look like he's doing something else, but the second I see him eyeballing my poor cats I say his name in a low, stern, and calm voice. He immediately comes to my feet. I have never smacked his butt since that one time. I was amazed that he has come around being what breed he is and all, especially since I have never owned a dog even remotely close to this type of breed. I can't say what happens when I'm not home, but I never leave the cats and dogs together all day. My cats always have a safe haven to go to to get away from the dogs and everyone is happy and healthy when I get home every dau with no injuries.

I'm sorry that your kitty was killed and I'm not familiar with Husky's and Dobermans much. Has he been to training? I know that it's his instinct to kill, but if he knows that you're the alpha? I wish I had some better advice. I wouldn't put him down though. I don't necessarily think he's going to harm a human. I know training is expensive, which is why I'm training my JRT/Beagle myself, but if you can, take him to training. I know Huskies are high energy dogs. If you can't afford training, maybe make playtime a lot longer every day. If you wipe him out physically and emotionally each and every day he will be less likely to go after your cats. Also, I think if he has a daily routine, it will help. I hope he doesn't spend most of his time in the kennel. Not that it's cruel, but a dog like that should be getting a TON of exercise every day.

Sorry, I know this probably wasn't very helpful, but it was all I had.

Good luck.

Answer 3

That is one hell of a combination of a dog you own there. I do believe the dog can be taught but will he ever be trust worthy...NO. This is a dog that is going to take alot of responsibility and a very watchful eye. I have a chow mix as well and she is the sweetest but when they fight its evil and I can honestly say she will fight to kill. She is not aggressive but when shes had enough thats it shes goin all out. As for the dog attacking the cat and killing it..well alot of dogs hate cats and arent taught to co-exist and your dog got that cat w/no one to stop him. Is this the dogs fault...NO, but most dogs back off when a cat stops running or fights back. You must be very careful w/this dog. Do you have children? There are so many other nice willing dogs that would love to have such a dedicated loving caring home why does this dog deserve this when he has not proven himself? Work w/him...it can be changed in alot of instances but theres a possibility it wont and you must decide now what you will do w/him then. You need to keep a leash attached to him at all times for something to grab when he gets out of control. This dog needs to learn patience and dicipline. Walk him everywhere making him focus on you and controlling his behavior. I would think you would need a chocker which is placed high on the neck in a backwards "P". When you stop walking he is to sit. When people approach he is to stay sitting, if a dog passes he is to sit. Dont move til he sits and stays. Having the upper hand and socializing your dog will help your dog out alot. But always be careful w/this dog because of his aggressive nature. Dont so much isolate him but be cautious. MIght want to use a muzzle for precautions. Keep him w/you all the time so he may learn. Spend time grooming him and playing w/him. He seems to be the Alpha male and you need to show him your the Alpha ***** and you rule all...LOL Good luck and hope this helps.

Answer 4

Well, my boyfriend and I have been raising Rednose Pitbulls (Brown-Eye, Judas, Lilith), a German Shepherd mix (Charm), and a K-9 trained police dog. Every dog that we have attacks cats, but Judas and Lilith are the only ones that won't eat them, which is because they're only two months old and the cats are bigger than them, they just play with them. I just recently got Brown-Eye (the Rednose Pit mix American Bulldog) to stop eating my cat stuffed animals. It will hurt to do this, but all you have to do is hold the cat and smack the dog on the nose, bum, or whatever every time it tries to get the cat until it just stops. No, you don't have to put it down. I remember when Charm killed a kitten just by barking at it. It's natural for dogs to hate cats. When someone tells you that you have to put him down, they're lieing, you don't. They're just overreacting because a cat died. I'm sorry that this has happened, but it's nature. The dog doesn't want anything different to have your affection. You have to teach it to stop. A squirt bottle filled with water works well, a rolled up newspaper to the bum (no it doesn't hurt, they just hate the sound), smacking it, or just locking it up every time it misbehaves. It seems kind of cruel, but dogs can be thickheaded, and you have to stop being so gentle. With Brown-Eye and the new puppies, she almost ate Lilith the first day we had her, so we had to beat her up. They're stubborn. So, just train him. It doesn't matter how old the dog is, it's never too late.

Answer 5

Cat and dogs are not enemies, I help to run a rescue, and I can tell you that your dog has a high prey drive. You have to consider what is best for your family and other pets in your home, after you have done this think about the kids in your area, I am not saying put the dog down, but rethink what he has done and what he might do.

I have a pit-bull rescued off the streets of Newark New Jersey 2 cat 1 bunny that free roam my home, plus about 20 cages of guinea pigs, this dog has never not once ever took action against any of these animal even the piggies when out on the floor, with the exception of washing little faces with her tongue. this is because she does not have a prey drive. go out and take to other pet owners, animal shelter animal control officers and vets them make your decision

Answer 6

" if he will kill a cat, he will attack people."

That is just plain not true. They are dogs! It is not surprising to have a dog kill a cat, a cat is prey.

I doubt you will ever be able to really trust him with cats, even with training. He does sound like a dog that needs to be watched closely.

Answer 7

This happend to one of my dogs, don't put the dog to sleep, you should read some articles or get proffesional help on how to train your dog to get used to cats.

Answer 8

Don't have him put down. He deserves better than that. You are just going to have to buckle down and train him. show him that you are in charge. Call the dog whisperer : )

Answer 9

*Everyone*(whoever "they" are!) are WRONG!!!

Prey-drive does NOT translate human agression!

You *might* be able to "cat-break" the dog....MIGHT!
But I'd never trust it.
Cats are SO much fun to hunt/kill & he's discoverd that.

You'll need INTENSIVE training! FULL-BLOWN,DAILY sessions w/ STRONG corrections w/a choke/prong collar!
Cootchie-coo,"no,no,honey" AIN'T gonna do SPIT!