Is our new dog just being jealous or just hate cats?

Question

We took in a 4 y/o dog that is well trained and his old owner had passed away.He has been a "wonderful" dog. To our kid's and everyone he meets. He even listens to everything we say only after a couple day's, he follows us around off leach in public and everything. He has been more then the perfect dog. Except he has growled a couple times to our cats. One cat more then the other because she thinks she is boss. Our younger cat growls at everything new until she gets used to them. She still growls and hisses at our other dog who she's been w/ for 5 yrs. Our older cat doesn't care about anything and is just around!
Well last night the dog was laying down beside us. My older cat (the sweet one) Minding her own business as usual. Walks slowly threw the living room from a far distance not even looking at the dog. He sat up and watched her walk threw then slowly he stood up and started walking even slower towards her. She turned and looked at him like she was going to sniff him. Then he started growling really loud. She got scared and backed away hissing. He jumped at her and they fought a little. Our younger cat hear's this and comes flying out of the other room and jumps on "OUR OLDER CAT?" After realizing it was her. She turned and jumped on top of the dog. I yelled "no" he turned away. My younger cat still pissed off started howling. He turned right back and went after them again. They didn't hurt each other but Again after we yelled "NO" He stopped and came over to us hovering the ground looking ashamed he did this. He walked over and sat down, looking scared like he thought we were going to hit him or something. The family of his old owner told us that he has never shown aggression ever and that he has always been the sweetest dog? This confuses me and makes it hard for us to figure out what we should do?
Any un negative opinions besides "get rid of him?"

He is a very sweet and lovable doggie and acts jelous over my husband and I even hugging each other. He will squeeze himself between us wagging for his own attention. He does the same thing with out children if were hugging them he will squeeze between us.

All morning every time a cat walks by he shows his teeth. I say no and he stops. He even walks over sniffing them being nice if i hold them but as soon as they walk over on there own he keeps doing it. Even growling somethimes??

Answer 1

Some dogs just don't get along with other smaller animals. This can be breed specific, but can also just vary from dog to dog. This particular dog may not have been socialized with cats in the past. Continue correcting the behavior and separate the animals when you cannot be there to supervise their interactions. Give it a bit of time too...they may just need some time to get used to each other.

Answer 2

It's all a matter of dominace. Even though there are cats involved, it's all about who will be "Top Dog." Your dog may always show his teeth to your cat. Your cat may always be pissed off when the dog is near to him. Animals are just like people. They all have different personalities, likes and dislikes. They may never learn to "like" each other, or accept each other. They may always want to be the center of your attention. If they don't establish the "alpha leader" sometime soon, chances are they won't, and they will continue to be at odd's with one another. If there is a decision made by them as to who the "alpha leader" is, then they will more then likely stop all the snarling and hissing. It's been my experiance that if the dominant animal is not chosen by them within the first few day, then it is always a battle between them. They will learn to "deal" with each other after some time. The cats will realize that the dog is here to stay, and the dog will realize that he is with you for good and they will adapt to this. I think you will always have occassional "outbreaks" here and there, but they will lessen in time. It sounds like everybody with 4 legs in your house wants to be the boss, and no one is willing to compramise that position, but they will learn to cope with it.

Other then telling them "no" when they start to scrap, there really isn't anything you can do. Some cats just will not accept dogs in their domain. Some just have a fear of them, others don't mind dogs at all. Your cat just might be one of those cats. Same goes for dogs. He may just not like cats too much. There's a reason the term "fights like cats and dogs" has been versed. When introduced to each other at young ages, it's much easier to get over this. But they aren't babies anymore, and are set in their ways. They just need to work it out amongst themselves. None of them should be "punished" for their behavior toward each other. It's the nature of the beast, if you will. Just keep on the saying "no". Don't seperate them and let them handle this. If it gets too messy, and they are really fighting to the point of hurting one another, then unfortunatly, you may have a hard decision to make. It usually gets better and the fighting subsides in time. But sometimes it doesn't and only gets worse. I hope that doesn't happen for you, and they work it out like mature kittys and doggies should, but if it does, and they start hurting each other, maybe there is a way you could keep them seperated so you don't have to find a home for one or the other.
Good luck to you.

Answer 3

When you give your cat some meat, make sure you give your dog some at the same time. Also make sure you spend some extra time alone with your dog like take a walk. It will be a good idea to discipline your dog when he growls or barks.

Answer 4

He does sound like a very good dog. But he does need some 'kitty training'.

Keep telling him 'no!' when he shows aggression toward your cats. And praise him when he is good around them.

As for the cats- Well, it seems that the younger one needs lessons in manners too.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I think that your dog needs time to get used to your home and your cats. give him time, give him love, praise him when he does good, tell him no when he does bad, seperate them when not home. You need to start telling your cat no also. She should realize soon he wont be going anywhere but she needs to be shown by you that you are the boss, not her!! and she needs to listen to you just like the dog does. good luck!