I have two 13 year old cats who have always had the run of the house. In May we got a puppy. I knew there was a chance that they might not want to curl up together but lots of dogs and cats co-exist quite happily. But sadly not in this house. The dog chases the cats and barks excitedly at them when he sees them and they hiss back at him. The cats have been forced into exhile and live upstairs. The dog isn't agressive and he is only medium sized. Is there anything at all I can do to get them to live more in harmony???
2007-11-09 18:51:30 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanks for all the suggestions. Columbo you look like you know your stuff. I will try that they only problem I anticipate with it is that I can't get the cats to stay in the same room as him they just want to get out as quickly as possible but I will put him on his lead and do the correction - sounds like a plan
2007-11-09 20:06:21 · update #1
Your cats are old, they want to relax, take it easy. there just like old people!! and now theres a kid/puppy running about wanting to play. not a good combination.
2007-11-09 19:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs and cats can live very well together no matter what the age. You are letting you're puppy be the pack leader and not you. You have to take charge of this. Put your cats on the couch on one side of you, have your puppy on the other side of you on its leash, and keep the leash short. Every time your dog looks at the cats, BEFORE he barks correct him, with whatever command you use to correct him normally and give him a firm tug on the lead towards you.Only correct him once verbally at any one time,do not keep saying it over and over or he thinks command are optional and he can choose which ones he obeys.Repeat this process for about 15 Min's two times a day and the dog will learn that he can`t be the boss of the cats and the cats will learn to relax around him and see that he is no threat. Any questions you wish to ask or you are unsure of e mail me.
UPDATE:
This indeed will take time because the cats are so used to his behaviour, if this is the case then do it this way round, put the cat on your husbands or partners or anyones knee lol and carry out the same routine, the cat will sit quite happily on the knee once it sees the dog is not a threat. Also try having your dog on a leash for a day or two inside the house around the cats and follow the same principle, tug and correct, every time he so much as looks at the cats.
2007-11-10 03:55:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not... They only time I had a dog and cat get along is when I bought my husband a 4 month old Chihuahua and I had a 4 month old Persian. The kitten was left over from the last time I had bred the mother. They bonded and played all the time. The puppy slept in our bed and the kitten would come jump on the bed and tap all over to find where the puppy was to see if he would come out and play.
The dog actually thought he was a cat that barked!
I eventually to find new homes for all my Persians as my husband developed sever allergies and cat dander was one of the main ones.
To replace my cats I bought the cutest black poodle. The Chi, hated her and would not have anything to do with me for three days cause I brought that "thing" into the house. He never did make up to her until she came into heat.... Then he strangely that she was maybe ok.
2007-11-10 03:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have changed the authority balance in the household. Don't worry though. The puppy is trying to assert his dominance and the cats are trying to hold on to theirs. You may never get them to curl up together but as long as they are not eating each other I think you should leave well enough alone. Things will work themselves out and become normal. Dogs and cats are natural rivals.
2007-11-10 03:20:42 · answer #4 · answered by countrygirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is a puppy, they chase everything. Follow Columbo's advice.
I had two Shelties who chased everything but every summer I used to see them out in the garden sleeping in the sun with next doors cats in the sleeping pile with them.
2007-11-10 07:52:31 · answer #5 · answered by Jean O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cats will have to give your puppy a swipe across the nose, once this has happened, the pup will then learn who's boss.
2007-11-10 03:58:12 · answer #6 · answered by clarkspetcouriers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they will soon sort out who is boss as there will always be a leader, i have 4 cats and 1 dog and it is my eldest cat who rules the roost, your cats will start coming downstairs when they realise your puppy is a permanent fixture and is not going to hurt them,obviously he is young and wants to play dont worry things will soon be all lovey dovey
2007-11-10 03:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by chobalobba 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋