I'm moving in with my beloved that has three cats, my German Shepard (female) mix loves to hunt them and chase them (I adopted her 1 year ago - she is about 4 years old). Is there any hope that she will be able to leave the cats alone?? Help.
2007-01-26 01:46:26 · 10 answers · asked by Samantha M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Probably not. You have to teach her bounderies. My English Setter is the same. She goes "ape" when new cats appear. (She has two of her own and I guess she's just tired of them). She will lay for hours staring at the door where they hide or a the stairs whining. Given the chance she's off and running.
SO....what I did was let her stare BUT when it came to anything that had to do with the cats she had to lie down. (Submitting). The cat meowed she layed down, the cat came downstairs she layed down. She stared (rather intentlly) but she was in down. If the cat made any sudden movements or ran I could tell she wanted to chase BUT couldn't because I hadn't released her from down.
Introduce the cats slowly. Put a leash on your dog, put her in sit and down (keep her in down) and then bring the cats over. Let the dog sniff and explore. After that - start doing the downs when it comes to the cats.
The initial meeting is over - there's nothing more mysterious about them. Now its time for bounderies!
If given the chance however I'm sure the cats will teach her bounderies. I dog sat 2 HUGE pitbulls. They learned really quickly who the boss of the house was. It was a bloody horrific battle (okay I"m going a little over board) but I'll tell ya... when the cat came into the room ALL the dogs got up and left that room!!
Good Luck
2007-01-26 01:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It usually takes adult animals around 2 years to accept each other. The real quesion is whether or not your dog is attacking the cats. Hunting and chasing could just be play, but it could be a way of saying the dog thinks the cats look delicious.
While you want them to mix together and get socialized, it would be a good idea to put up barriers whenever the animals are left alone in the house, at least for a few months. Your dog may like to chase them and the cats might put up with it, but part of that is either your dog or her cats aren't home. Once your dog accepts that you've moved it's no longer going with you to the cat's house, those cats are in his house and what migth have been play could become much more aggresive territorial behavior.
Spaying and neitering all of the animals, if it hasn't been done, can help. But the only thing that will make them calm around each other is time.
2007-01-26 02:04:43 · answer #2 · answered by sdwillie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry that your cat was killed. Before you decide whether or not to "do something"; figure out what outcome you want. In many municipalities cats are considered "feral" animals (whether house pets or not) and therefore not protected. Dogs are "domestic" animals and receive the protection of the law. (If this is true for your home, then the police could do nothing more than be sorry.) You could approach your neighbor and tell him what happened. He'll either be sorry or not, but there's not much else he can do. He can't replace your cat. You can contact the local dog catcher and report the dog every time you see it run loose. He may or may not be caught. Your neighbor may be ticketed for letting the dog run loose (depending on your local regulations, again). If your calls are seen by your neighbor as harassment -- this isn't going to make for good relations. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Oh, by the way, I have cats of my own and I don't particularly like dogs.
2016-03-29 03:23:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, chances are it's more interesting to her right now because she isn't around the cats all the time. One thing I suggest is do not put up any kind of a gate or barrier for the dog to prevent access to the "cat's part of the house"... from my experience, it only makes the dog worse and more excited about the cats. Be sure there are places you cats can get to to get away from the dog, such as on top of high furniture or under a bed. It may take some time, and some work on your part to discourage the behavior, but eventually, it will likely tone down.
2007-01-26 01:53:02 · answer #4 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Instinct is for the dogs to chase the cats. But, I have my dogs trained not to chase the cats. One of the dogs and one of my cats grew up as kitten and puppy together. They use to sleep together.....but,....I digress.... Have all the animals together and tell the dog No! (or Nein! if he speaks German....lol) when he tries to chase the cat. You have to keep practicing this and make him obediant to your every word.
Instinct will try to take over every time though. You just have to train him not to go on instict.
Good Luck!
2007-01-26 03:11:26 · answer #5 · answered by mnid007 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to nip that behavior in the bud, now! If you see her evan looking at the cats, make her stop it! Don't say honey dont. Be assertive about it.
If you have not done so, I would recomend watching the Dog Whisper on National Geographic. He has cases very simular to this and it can help you learn to be a better leader for your dog. Do not let your dog be alpha in your family.
Good Luck!
2007-01-26 01:54:32 · answer #6 · answered by Kamah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Shep/Lab mix is the same way with my cats. You just may have to really work at letting your dog know that that behaivor in unacceptable. It's alot of work. I'm lucky that my cats have a whole other floor to hang out on so they dont see eachother that much.
2007-01-26 01:58:14 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to train her to ignore them. Some dogs never get used to cats though. Good luck.
2007-01-26 01:54:27 · answer #8 · answered by W. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aww dog chasing cat how cute
2007-01-26 02:48:21 · answer #9 · answered by la naca 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah she will leave the kitties alone.... after they have all become delectable little snacks for her!! then she won't have anyone to hunt anymore.... :(
2007-01-26 01:58:39 · answer #10 · answered by FugginBitch 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋