I have 2 nine year old dogs and one 2 year old dog and a one month old cat that i just got last weekend, the younger dog is a little fiesty and wants to eat the cat. One of the older dogs will follow the small dogs lead and the other is deathly afraid of the kitten. I want them to get along. Any suggestions?
2006-12-14 16:42:12 · 11 answers · asked by zachary k 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would keep the kitten away from the dogs for a while, it is still small. Then try putting the kitten in a crate, and allow the dogs to visit through the bars. If they act bad, give them a firm correction and let them go. It will take a while, but it worked with my dogs (they love my cat now).
2006-12-14 16:46:50 · answer #1 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the problem lies with the young, small dog. I would have it on a very short leash, right on my side, like it is healing. I would walk it past and near the cat repeatedly and immediately correct the dog with a 'no' and a sharp tug on the leash if it begins to attend to the cat for more than a glance or two. At first, I would make it both a verbal and physical (leash tug) correction. NOT in any way hurting the dog, just getting it's mind to move away from and off of the cat. I would do this over and over...walking it, and making the dog sit as near to the cat as I could, keeping the dog in my control and not letting it get excited or anything. Basically, kind of desensitize the dog to the cat while it is in your control and you are letting it know exactly what you expect with the cat. I would wait to praise the dog until the exercise is over...with treats and lots of affection or whatever. Meanwhile, when you are away or not able to directly supervise, I would have the cat in it's own space. But, I do think, if you do the above, on leash, it won't take the dog long to learn not to do the behavior. The key is you controlling the dog's behavior. If you teach it, it will do it. Don't let it get fixated, excited, or anything else about the cat if you do the above leash exercises.
2006-12-15 01:00:59 · answer #2 · answered by prekinpdx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something that is going to take time for all of your animals to adjust to. Give it time. In the mean time, make sure your dogs are never left unsupervised with your new kitty so that an accident doesn't happen. Also make sure the kitten has a place he can "escape" from the dogs, such as under the bed or on a dresser. Kitty will need a "safe haven" until he and the dogs work things out and can get along better.
2006-12-15 00:46:33 · answer #3 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont want to be negative, but I worked VERY VERY HARD on this very problem for almost 6 months. I thought all was ok and the dogs and cat hardly ever were around each other ever. Needless to say, one day the dogs cornered my poor defenseless cat and mauled her to death. They cornered her and punctered her and stepped on her, breaking her pelvis and paralyzing her. She lived only about 12 hours after that. The dogs were very well behaved w/ her when I was around but the one time I was gone more than a few hours, this is what happened. Take the cat back. You dont want to go through what I did.
2006-12-15 02:02:16 · answer #4 · answered by Emleh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to try to socialize them. Tell your dogs to be nice, in a soothing voice. Hold the cat near the dogs and let them sniff. Let the cat know it is okay. If the dogs start snipping at the cat tell them no! Time is key in this situation. You have to work with socializng them but over time the dogs will realize it is sharing the home too!
2006-12-15 00:47:57 · answer #5 · answered by Allie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I succeded by the method Ilovemyfrenchbulldogs used - the cat in a crate in living room or dogs in crates cat out. After TWO MONTHS I could move to having one party or the other on leash, then both loos in my presence. Now understand a few dogs are intractable in this - my current foster doggie is just gonna have to go to a cat free home.........
2006-12-15 05:33:30 · answer #6 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"the younger dog is a little fiesty and wants to eat the cat." It really wasn't wise of you to get a pet whose life is in perpetual danger. If the dog(s) are determined to kill the defenselss little animal, they will do so - the minute your back is turned.
2006-12-15 00:46:28 · answer #7 · answered by thebirdlady 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must first establish that you are the dog's pack leader. They will submit to you then but don't turn your back on them until they've learned this through practice in your presence and you can trust them. Part of training practice would be giving them all three equal attention in close proximity and reprimands if they make any attempts, growls, eye contact towards the cat instead of focusing on obedience to you.
2006-12-15 01:32:09 · answer #8 · answered by Lovin' Mary's Lamb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they are hunting breeds, like a beagle or a basset hound, it was probably not wise to get the cat. they will never get along and the dog will honestly always be trying to eat the cat.
even if they are not hunting breeds, 3 dogs is a lot for one cat to take. it will be a lot of stress for the cat.
2006-12-15 00:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all u need to do is to seperate them ,maybe u can put ur cat at d kitchen and u put ur dogs at d backyard or something,hope this heps
2006-12-15 00:47:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋