My poor cats lives are a misery!!

[Annetty1]

Jess is now 17 weeks old and has been with us from 7 weeks of age. I did have concerns when we brought her home as we have 4 cats of varying ages but as most people said, she will get used to them and it will all be fine!

WRONG!!!

She makes their lives a living hell! They have been brought up in a quiet loving pampered home and now this tazmanian devil will absolutely not leave them alone. It like an army manoever to get through the cat flap if Jess is in the kitchen, they peep through and then if she's not looking its a mad dash to get to the hall. Same going out, the tiny kitten is ok she is very agile but my big cats cant go flying through the cat flap like her and its very stressful with this big bounding dog on their tail. We have from the start tried to discourage her from chasing them, ive been working on her "leave it" command which works well with food but not the cats. Roger the eldest has swiped her hard a few times and she has yelped, he stands his ground, they all will if they are cornered but if they run thats it. Im worried they are gonna get hurt and also Jess too as those claws are very sharp. I really dont know what to do to stop her behavious, she wont listen when we call her back even with treats and her usual recall is quite good, well depending on what is more interesting at that moment! lol I cant imagine life being like this for the poor cats, is this a puppy chase thing that she will grow out of or is this the way its going to be???? The cats will need to go on valium if this continues. Any help or advice greatfully received xx

Annette xx

[Caryll]

I'm afraid I'm no use to you. My dog HATES cats & I've never been able to persuade him otherwise.

I would imagine, though, that the novelty will eventually wear off & she'll stop chasing them. Maybe someone else here has ahd experience of this?

[bonanza1]

We had 4 cats when we got Remy as a puppy, we thought it may take a while for things to settle down, we had the same as you where if the cats ran he would chase, after several swipes from our big black cat Remy started to learn his place, we also put a stairgate in place so that the cats could have their own space when they wanted. after a few months things settled and the cats came and went as they pleased but he would still chase if they ran but it was only play. We ended up getting a 5th cat and she adapted to Remy straight away and they were inseperable even to the point that we lost them both to ill health within a few months of each other.

Patience and consistancy, the cats were there first so they should have the first say and Jess will learn her place within the pack.

Regards

Ian

[sami]

My only advice is to let the cats tell her off, she should then decide its not worth the hassel. Generally the cats will always win against a dog. I know it must seem like an eternity but try and give them time to sort it out.

The only other thing I can suggest is perhaps the old water pistol in the face every time she tries to chase the cats!

Sorry not much help. We had a 20 year old cat when we had Sami as a pup. Sami loved the cat and used to try and get it to play "tuggy sock" ! The cat however used to just take a swipe at her.

Tracy

[LOVEGSD]

Sorry my two hate cats, Diesel is scared and Oscar wants to kill them

[zetstaff]

I just leave them to get on with it. Only have 1 cat now + he's 17, if he wants to beat the crap out of my dogs I let him

It's the only way they learn I'm afraid, they all cuddle up + sleep together now, it just takes time.

It only takes 1 or 2 good clouts + your doggy should get the message, it will settle down x

[Tedsmum]

I had exactly the same as you, four cats being terrified by my pup and they would not stand their ground and bop him.
I was really distressed about it and thought it would never ever get better. I also felt really guilty for the cats and thought I had ruined their lives.
I was wrong, they are now the best of friends and all is calm in the house.
The only way we could improve things was with a long line in the house at all times. It allows you to stop a persuit as soon as it starts by stamping on the lead and backed up with the leave it command she will eventually get the message. As the pup stops chasing, so the cats calm down and stop running.
It takes weeks I won't lie, but do not despair, it does get better as long as you are consistent and do something about it now.
I am afraid you can't just ignore it and let them get on with it or it will become a play behaviour your dog will continue with.
Have pateince and hang on in there. x

Ted on his long line when he was still a cat chaser



And now

[zetstaff]

Gorgeous

[Annetty1]

Thanks for the comments guys, I at least have some hope that this wont last for ever, she has had a good few wacks and hisses from the crew but seems to keep going back for more, she even barks at them now in frustration when she cant get at them, poor ollie my biggest (huge) cat has a bad leg at the moment so cant get around as well and has taken up residence on the kitchen table its the only safe place. I have 3 stairgates downstairs but the cats dont want to jump them! lol I feel guilty too as I feel ive ruined their quality of life. I will continue with the leave it command and whatever else it takes, the long line sounds a good idea if she doesnt tangle everyone up in it! lol Its bad enough walking around she is always under our feet tripping us up and biting our toes.

Never a dull moment in my house any more! lol

[GypsyGSD]

I have always kept dogs with cats at the moment 2 dogs 3 cats Aisha has stated chasing taz one of the cats and she is 2 now but a firm no puts her in place lol she gets confused though as when taz comes in and aisha is asleep taz gives her a wash all over her face she is to shocked to move taz is also used to sleeping with my collie fynn when I come home from work they are curled up together on the sofa given time Im sure it will work out or your cats will call the shots in time but be careful of claws they could do a lot of damage to dogs eye x