In about two weeks we are getting two kittens (they were not quite ready to go yet). I have two dogs, a 1 year old who is approx 40-50 lbs and a 4 yr old who is approx 40lbs, the 4 year old dog I am not quite worried about as much because she has been here for 4 years and she has been around our other cat (he decided he didn't want to live inside anymore and moved outside! don't worry he's been fixed for 6 years!), but I am worried about my 1 year old male puppy jumping all over the kittens and trying to play and rough house with them, he is generally a very sweet hearted dog, he just doesn't know any better, how can I train him to be gentle/nice and friendly to the kittens? Is this possible? Does anyone have any tips on how to train or go about this situation before or when it comes?
Sorry it's so long, Thanks for all the help!!!
2007-09-19 19:38:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I said the cat has been fixed for 6 years, he's 7 years old, wow, that was intelligent
2007-09-20 09:44:20 · update #1
Depending on the breed of dog, most cats can and will defend themselves. As the owner of 4 dogs and 1 cat, i've encountered problems every time a new dog came in. First, NEVER leave the kittens alone with any dog until you are 100% sure that they can take care of themselves. Introduce the kittens to the dogs openly, and let the dogs try to play with the kittens. You will notice if the dogs get too close, the kittens may try to attack the dogs. This is a cat's instinct. It took my cat attacking my pittbull twice, but now the dog doesn't mess with the cat.
2007-09-20 02:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by skull_princess_70339 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, if he doesn't really want to harm them, he'll know what to do, as the kittens will show him what they like and what tehy don't like.
However, you must never leave them alone together until you are confident they are on good terms AND the kittens have grown to a size that is not too small in proportion with the dog (I'd say in at least a month).
At first, keep them separately and let them see each other. Then, let them smell each other's things, and give them a treat. Then, after they are fine with that, let them be in the same room, but hold them, and let them smell each other. There will be hissing etc., repeat this without forcing them too much the next day. Then, let them all be on the floor together, preferably at feeding time, I mean feed them together, so that they hopefully start eating instead of fighting. Once they learn to eat together, it's the first step. Then they may start playing (roughly) together.Let them, just be there to make sure there are no injuries.
2007-09-19 19:58:32 · answer #2 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How could your 4 year old dog have been neutered for the last 6 years??
It's possible, you give the kittens a safe place where they can get away from the dogs, and you correct the dog when he plays too rough, gets too aggressive, chases the cats etc.. Teach him ' Nice '
2007-09-19 19:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've just got a german shepherd. she is already the size of my cats. when she played to rough i say her name and then no nicely
make sure the kittens have a safe place away from both dogs.
As even a tiny kitten will hiss abd spit at the dogs. so for a while i would only introduce when you have the time to be there for the safety of all your animals
good luck
2007-09-19 21:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i got a kitten 2 years ago and i have 2 mini foxies who are 12 and 13 and both hate cats....i was a bit worried at first but they are all inside animals who all had to learn to live with each other....today they all love each other
2007-09-19 19:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋