What's the best way to deal with my jealous dog?

Question

I recently got a cat and my dog is insanely jealous of him. I love my dog dearly and I don't want him to feel misplaced by the cat. He was a rescue dog, so he's really attached to me. He and the cat get along fine, they play together all the time, but when ever the cat comes near me or I pet him, my dog acts really jealous.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do to help my dog feel less anxious about the cat being in his house?
Thanks in advance for your help!!

They're fine when they're home alone together. They play together all the time, they even sleep together, sometimes te cat on top of the dog even! It's very cute!! I just don't want my dog to feel hurt, I just love him & don't want his little doggy feeling to be hurt!

Answer 1

give ur dog something to do when u want to spend "alone" time with the cat.
also, use some positive reinforcement techniques to teach him that cat time is a signal for a sit stay. if he does, then he gets some treats.
that way, cat time = treat time!

Answer 2

There are a lot of good suggestions here. But first, dogs are not people. The dog is not anxious about the cat being in his house. If you find yourself spendingmore time with the cat, then try to spend a little more time with the dog. where are you when the cat approaches you? Are you usually sitting down, possibly watching tv? Dogs do not hold grudges. It is obvious that the dog and the cat do get along together, but it is a "dominance" thing. The dog was there first and he feels that he should get your attention first. You need to keep in mind that dogs are related to wolves, and wolves are pack animals. In a pack there is a hierarchy. One leader, and the rest are followers, but there is an order to this as well. kind of like in a business, you have the pres. the vp, the ceo, etc. You may try the treat idea that some of the others suggested. or even a professional dog trainer/instructor. If you do, please try to be a little bit more specific about what is happening. I.E.: what you are doing, what the cat is doing, and how the dog is reacting to this. Details will help alot! your dog will thank you!

Answer 3

First off, I'm not sure what you mean when you say the dog "acts really jealous". What, specifically, is the dog doing?

It's hard to tell, but it sounds like it might be a dominance issue rather than a jealously or anxiety problem.

Have you taken the dog to a training class? If not, it might be a good idea. Local vets and shelters can give you recommendations.

If he's behaving in an unacceptable way when the cat comes near you, try catching him just before he starts doing whatever he is doing, have him 'sit' or 'down', then praise him when he complies.

Answer 4

Ive had my cat for a year and my dog still is jealous....when the dog is outside the cat gets lots of loving....I just have to take the time to tell the dog no when I spend a few minutes with the cat my dog usually stares at me from the other side fo the couch ....I dont believe dogs hold grudges....when cat time is over...the dog comes back and forgets about it.

Answer 5

The dog will either get over it or learn to live with it. Sometimes jealousy in dogs does not completely go away but it gets better. You might have to spend more time with the dog...cats don't require as much of your attention as dogs do...especially as the cat gets older. If the dog and cat are getting along together your jealousy problem will probably cure itself in a month or two.

Answer 6

Wow! it rather is a hard one! It looks such as you have one it rather is no longer keen to play by way of the guidelines, or to artwork for what she gets or looks like she merits. this form of %. member can rather make your %. a residing hell! the different canines won't comprehend her, and might even turn on her, inflicting some extreme injuries. i might seek for suggestion from with a behaviorist first, to work out if there rather is a psychological ingredient right here. If no longer, and you have tried a protracted outing, then i might recommend looking a house for her the place she is all on my own. One the place she would be suitable canines, and not could combat for her place interior the %.. perchance Chi rescue grants help to with that? i wish all of it works out. i think of all of us purely choose our packs to be chuffed. If she acts up back- perchance you need to toss a rooster at her! Oh, wait she's too small- perchance chuck a Cornish activity rooster!

Answer 7

try this -- whenever u pet ur cat or do anything that makes ur dog jealous, give ur dog a treat, make sure u give it even b4 ur dog gets jealous or after, otherwise u'll be rewarding the jealous behaviour, keep repeating it for a while, it will associate the love given to cat as a good thing and might actually become excited wen u do it.

Answer 8

my dog is kinda like that too. i'm not sure, but he may feel like the cat is dominant over him for whatever reason.
or, like you think, he may really be jealous.
give him equal attention, play with him, and maybe feed him treats when the cat is around. this shows him that the cat is a good thing and part of his family, but he is too.

it worked with my dog when we got a second one.

Answer 9

u can't put away jealousy amongst them.. even in human braings.. jeqalousy is quite rampant.. the best thing 4u2 do is whenever ur home is to treat them equally... don't show any feelings of favoritenes to either one.. when u pet one u pet the other.. when u can one u call the other... whenn the cat approaches u call ur dog to approach u2...

Answer 10

I don't know the answer dear, it seems your dog thinks you brought home a little friend for him and him alone.
God bless.