Behavior - Cats and Dogs, Introductions

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Cats and Dogs, Introductions

This is from a number of posts written for the usenet newsgroups. There is a lot of repetition. I will eventually edit it, but for now, at least it saves me from having to repeat myself yet again.

For more coherent articles take a look at Dog Owner's Guide: Fighting furry furies?, Dog Owner's Guide: Dogs and cats together, and Introducing a dog to your cat

The key to training is timing. And the key to learning timing is games like -- You Don't Say! -- where the goal is to get another player to do something specific like turn a toy car upside down without saying a word.

Subject: Re: cats and dogs--help!
Date: 1998/01/11

Did people tell you that a puppy and cat would get along? Or that a dog and cat would get along? My cats hate puppies, but they get along very nicely with my now adult dogs. Puppies, as you have noticed, insult the dignity of cats. Puppies just play differently from cats.

The more you keep them separate the more difficult it will be to teach the puppy to be better mannered around the cat. I would absolutely keep them separate when you cannot observe them. Your puppy may not intend to kill the cat, but it could happen anyway.

Try keeping the puppy on leash as much as you can, encourage the cat to come into the room and observe the puppy carefully. You want to correct the puppy for *thinking* about pouncing on the cat. So look for the puppy to give the cat any attention at all, give a corrective tone "Ach!" and get the puppies attention on you - reward the puppy for turning its attention away from the cat. If you wait until the puppy takes a step toward the cat then you have waited too long. Try to avoid using the leash for correction. The leash is for safety and insurance. Use your voice and your body language to get the puppy to turn its attention away from the cat. Reward with a toy. Make sure to notice and reward the puppy if it has not focussed on the cat all on its own - in other words you don't want to make the puppy think the only way it can get praise is to look at the cat then look away.

Diane Blackman
- - - - - - - - -
"[The] ideal owner/dog problem-solving orientation, . . . takes into account the fact that dogs and people have their own special needs and body language." "The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs" by Myrna M. Milani, DVM.

Halah24 (halah24@aol.com) wrote:
I got a lab puppy about 2 1/2 months ago. I already had a 3 year old cat. Well, contrary to what I have read in here, the cat and the dog DO NOT get along. The dog (Lucy), looks at the cat, (Kitty), as a play toy, I think. She will run up to the cat and jump on her. Of course, Kitty hates this, and runs away. They often have stare-downs where Lucy incessantly barks and Kitty growls at her until Lucy tries to touch her and then she gets clawed. So far, my policy has been to tell Lucy no and to keep the two pretty much completely separated when possible. Any other suggestions? BTW, this may be extreme, but I'm kind of afraid Lucy might kill the cat if they're left alone together. Is this likely?

Julie

Date: 1997/07/16
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs.behavior

If the dog *really* wants to treat the kitten as prey the chances are there is nothing you can do that will make it safe for them to be together. I've had dogs that *looked* like they were doing damage, including the cat screaming bloody murder, but it was just an act. However, you are there and I trust your assessment of the situation, and some dogs just DO have a high prey drive and will never be able to be trusted around small animals.

You can train the dog to "leave" the kitten alone while you are present. Keep the dog leashed, put it on down, and carefully watch its body language, even the barest hint that the dog is paying *any* attention to the kitten should result in you requiring the dog to shift its attention to you. How you get the dog to shift its attention away from the kitten is not as important as that you succeed. You might want to start the process with the kitten visible but at a distance, say behind a baby gate.

If it is important to you, and if you are having difficulty getting the timing quite right you might seek some in person help. Having someone *show* you what to do can make a huge difference. Otherwise it might just be that you can't have both dog and cat at this time.

Diane Blackman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Be true to your own principles, and hold to them, else complain not when the world runs contrary.

Mary Margaret Schuck (Mary.Margaret.Schuck@dsto.defence.gov.au) wrote:
We have the same problem as Kathy at home; a new kitten and an older dog. We also assumed much the same as Garrison initially, but that's certainly not the case for us. Our dog (Sally) is not snapping and intimidating the kitten; she's going in with full teeth. Twice she's managed to get the kitten in her mouth, and it was not just playful nips. She wasn't trying just to scare her either--jaws clamped around body are pretty unambiguous.

We've been trying to be patient, keeping them mostly in separate rooms, giving Sally tons of attention (which she doesn't want--her whole focus is finding the kitten and attacking it), letting her sniff the places the kitten has been, reinforcing anything *not* kitten related, etc., but after 10 days we've made little to no progress.

I too would be very very interested in any suggestions. (Other than let them work it out--we don't want a dead kitten, although that would certainly be a solution.)

Subject: Re: dog/cat integration & dealing w/submissive peeing
Date: 1997/12/03

Time and training. Your dog is still rather puppy like because she is still a puppy. Maturity will take at least another year, perhaps more. The natural chasing urge isn't going to be quelled by avoiding it - by keeping the dog and cats separated. The separation is a good idea whenever you are not able to actually prevent it.

Being consistent in training is important as you obviously understand. Another vital element is timing. A correction for chasing should come just as the very idea of chasing is formed in the dog's mind. If you are observant you will be able to tell by the focus and tension of the dog. Your dog should be on leash at all times when the cats are around so that you are able to make the correction immediately. Since chasing is so much fun punishment or correction AFTER the chase is likely to be useless.

Understanding your dog's body language and timing a correction is an important part of a good quality obedience class. It is a very difficult thing to learn on your own because it is a physical skill. You really need to be shown. I strongly recommend obedience classes. Most of us, even those of us who have obedience trained many dogs, go to classes. Not only is there always something to learn but a person who knows what they are looking at can see things the person handling the dog cannot.

I think a couple of books will also be useful to you. Try "Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence" by Carol Lea Benjamin, "Smart Trainers, Brilliant Dogs" by Janet R. Lewis "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons with Sarah Wilson.

Submissive peeing should be handled by completely ignoring it. When you start to really obedience train your dog the dog's confidence should increase and that will reduce submissive peeing. When preparing to leave and when returning try to be very casual. Do not interact with the dog for about five minutes. When you leave, just leave, when you return, come in - put stuff away, walk around don't even look at her - make the event seem perfectly normal.

She is going to pee when reprimanded, at least until she gains some self confidence. Getting upset with her will only make it worse. Ideally you will avoid the need for reprimands by (1) preventing her from making mistakes - close the doors of rooms where she might get into trouble, keep trash in secure cabinets, keep clothes and non-toys picked up etc. (2) redirect her before she actually makes the mistake - if she goes for a cat call her in a happy voice and praise and treat if she responds - clap and move away from her to encourage her to come - substitute a toy for an inappropriate item (3) give her an incompatible job to avoid mistakes - e.g. if you know she jumps up when a person walks into the room have her sit and stay before the actual entry - then encourage her to hold it and praise for success (4) consider rejection over correction - dogs are different, the most effective way of correcting my dog Oso was to put him on a very short chain in an isolated room for about five-ten minutes. I didn't scold him on the way, I tried to be as neutral as possible, and immediate to keep the connection between behavior and result.

Your cats may or may not ever approach the dog. Cats have a very different interaction style over dogs. The way most dogs play insults the dignity of many cats, and some will simply be afraid. Of my four cats only one was an adult when she came into the household. She, Lady Greystoke, will now approach the dogs and head butt them - that took about a year for one dog, and another couple for my rougher dog. She had to learn that *her* behavior influenced the dogs - if she doesn't run they sniff and leave. I installed cat doors in two of my rooms so the cats always have a place to go with no dogs. I have had cats that never warmed up to the dog - they learned toleration but tried to avoid my dog as much as possible. I also have cats that adore the dog. Just work on training and control, as long as the cats are safe don't be too bothered if they aren't buddies.

Larkfield (larkfield@aol.com) wrote:
I have two 5 year old indoor cats. Now my son had to give up his 6 yr old mixed breed dog to me. It's a part lab, part doberman, part shepard. Believe it or not it is extremely friendly and not aggressive at all. It has been trained a little. I need some advice on how to get these three pets together.

What is the best way to introduce them? What shouldn't I do? Thanks for any help.

First step: Make sure that the cats will have places to go that the dog can't. Because I own my house I was able to install cat doors on two inside rooms (bathroom and one bedroom). A carpeted climbing tree is better than nothing.

Second Step: Scent introduction. I like to confine the cats for a day or two with the dog in the house, able to smell them but not see them. Then I put the dog somewhere else while I temporarily relocate the cats. Let the dog into the room where the cats have been and let him get a good smell. Confine the dog, temporarily, to that room and let the cats get their cat smell back all over the house.

Third step: You are going to introduce them in such a way as not to stimulate the chase instinct. First have the cats in a crate. Allow the dog to approach and sniff, but keep the leash on, and call the dog away for some training and treats with the cats in the room. Once the dog will pay attention to you and not the crated cats you are close to the next step.

Fourth step: Go back to confining the cats in a separate room and repeat the above steps until it is easy to get the dog to obey you with the crated cats in the room.

Fifth step: Keep the leash on the dog and allow the cats to exit the crate. Watch the dog carefully. As soon as he focuses on the cat call his attention to you. Correct him if he tries to go to the cat, time enough for introductions later.

Sixth step: Secure the dog, either in a crate, or have someone hold the leash. Walk through the room holding the cat. Don't tease the dog about it, don't terrify the cat, just let the dog know the cat is "yours". And the cat will learn not to be terrified of the dog. If the dog will actually obey and the cat will allow it you can try introducing them that way. Be careful, think about the goals, encourage without forcing.

Final step: Keep the dog leashed in the presence of the cats until the cat walking through the room is not a serious distraction. Try to give them as much supervised time together as you can. Allowing the cats to run and hide will actually make things more difficult. If you can't supervise to prevent a chase keep them separate so as not to stimulate the chase instinct, and frustrate it - frustrating the chase instinct tends to increase aggression.

Finally, have lots and lots of patience. It may take a very long time, or hardly anytime at all. Of my five cats two absolutely adore the dogs, one likes Tanith and avoids Oso, one tolerates Tanith and avoids Oso, and one I haven't a clue because he likes dogs better than people and runs when I come in the room. The main thing that cats who have not grown up with dogs HATE is being pounced on - it insults their dignity. Snuffling is often rejected at first, tolerated later, and finally sought out. Being able to verbally stop a chase made a *lot* of difference to my cats. When I stopped the dog the cat found out the if it stopped the dog didn't chase, so she learned to walk through the rooms carefully.

My cats and dogs get along very well. To see pictures try: http://www.dog-play.com/kittens.html, http://www.dog-play.com/Images/tanyod5.jpg I still tend not to leave them alone together.

Diane Blackman
- - - - - - - - -
" Unfortunately we often unknowingly reinforce certain body language and meaning linkups in our dogs, . . ." "The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs" by Myrna M. Milani, DVM.

Subject: Re: Need Advice...
Date: 1997/12/22

I have two dogs and four (uh five) cats. Puppies play in a way that essentially insults the dignity of many cats (my cat Yoda being one of the exceptions - and kitten Pazazz). Your cat will appreciate it if you give it some time dog-free. I day board my dogs twice a week to give the cats the complete run of the house without being chased or bothered. I have a cat door installed in one door (tv/computer room) so the cats can get completely away from the dogs and stare out the window in peace. They can also go play with the dogs if they choose. BUT don't encourage or allow the kitten to completely retreat to a "dog-free" space all the time. My cats must come into the busy dog filled room to eat. Eventually even my most dog shy cat learned that if she didn't run she wouldn't be chased - or at least if I was there I would stop the chase. It made her quite cocky.

It is unlikely that your dog will have permanently affected your cat's personality. It is pretty likely that, if you give the kitten a chance to meet the dog on mostly her terms, that they will become friends. I discourage chasing, unless the cat deliberately provoked it. I know its confusing to the dog to have a "sometimes" rule - usually doesn't work - so you may get better results if you just forbid puppy from chasing and pouncing on kitty. This will become more important as your puppy becomes an adolescent. Because dog language and cat language is so different it may get worse before it gets better. I hope BOTH are indoors pets - to some extent being forced to get along will be better in the long run.

Diane Blackman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others. The lion.

TARA (tara@webzone.net) wrote:
: My husband and I just brought home a new 10 week old Golden Retriever puppy. We also have a 8 month old Simease mix kitten. The kitten is and always will be the love of our heart, but we like dogs too, and wanted to get a puppy before Sushi (the kitty) was too old and cranky. It's only been too days and there has been a lot of hissing and tail fluffing going on. I'm sure they will adapt to one another somewhat, but:
1. Is there anything I can do to help this process? 2. Will my cat's previous personality be lost forever? Will she now be reserved? I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through similar experiences.

Thanks, Tara in Tulsa tara@webzone.net

Subject: Re: dog/kitten problem
Date: 1997/10/07

RROLLMMER (rrollmmer@aol.com) wrote:
: Cats are known to take very good care of themselves. I have work in vet. hospitals for 9 years and have not ever heard of a dog who hurts a cat. (It's usually the other way around.) In answer to why your questions: your dog is probably having a great time and this is reinforcing and your cat is not having a horrible time because otherwise he/she would leave or retaliate. Your cat is also not weird - this kind of thing happens all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if they become best buddies.

Well *I've* heard of dogs that have injured cats, and have killed them. Sometimes its is strange cats, sometimes the family cat. Now my cat Yoda and my dog Oso do like to wrestle and it can look bad, but if you aren't sure its better to stop them than to have a tragic result.

Diane Blackman
Companion of Tanith and Oso; Nox, Yoda, Lady Greystoke and Mr. Doublestuff
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
You must speak to be heard.

Subject: Re: Dog and Cat coexistence???
Date: 1997/12/07

Obedience and manners training will most likely bring the problem under control, and will make your dog a lot more fun in many other ways. Dogs that are obedience trained are typically more confident than dogs that are not.

Obedience training enhances your skills in communicating with your dog. It isn't just a matter of your dog doing what you want - you will also better understand and appreciate your dog. Training isn't just a matter of bossing the dog around. It means being a good leader for your dog, consistent, patient, fair, and firm.

Training can be accomplished through play as well as drill. The end result is that your dog will really pay attention to you because it will feel a part of the pack - it has a role and a place in the family.

To work on the cat chasing obedience classes will help you understand the skill of timing corrections. You will also learn how to get alternative behaviors. For example, if you really have "sit" fast and accurate a "sit" when the dog *thinks* of chasing the cat may help - but your timing *must* be accurate - if the dog has already taken one step toward the cat you are late and it will be much less effective.

There are lots of different styles of training - what is "right" depends upon the dog, and upon you. There are a couple books that will help you with some of the basics. Try "Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence" by Carol Lea Benjamin; "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons.

In the meanwhile, keep the cat safe from the dog when you can't supervise. But try to make some time, at least several times a day, in which you will have your dog on leash and will control him (no barking, no jumping) and encourage (not force) the cat to be in the same room. You will find you will make progress when you learn the skill of getting your dog to pay attention to you even in the face of distractions. In unusual cases a person can learn that skill by video, even more rarely by books, but most people learn fastest with in person help.

I consider "getting rid of kitty" to be at the very very very bottom of a long list of options, lower than - place dog in different home. If you are committed you should be able to get the situation under control.

Diane Blackman
Proper training is not the mere imposition of rules, but the teaching of skills that allow the dog to become a fuller member of human society. http://www.dog-play.com/obedience.html

Gregory A. Jackson (tekinc@fta.com) wrote:
: We just bought a beagle (1.5 years old) and he, of course, wants to chase the cat. I realize that beagles are bread to hunt small fuzzy things, and that his instinct will be to sniff out and chase rabbits, cats,etc. Is there anyway to control the behavior other than getting rid of our poor little Kitty???

: -- Gregory A. Jackson, Portland, OR

Subject: Re: HELP! Desperate to solve problem
Date: 1997/11/24

If your dog will not obey you when on lead and in your own home you do not have control. You are right. The cats are in danger because you are unable to properly correct the dog. Whether you could learn to control the dog depends upon your ability to follow instructions. Whether the dog would ever be safe with the cats is impossible to say. No one could ever say with complete assurance that any dog is 100 percent safe. A person can give a risk evaluation, that is all.

You say you have "talked with" a trainer, but have you attended any classes? have you had a trainer actually meet the dog and evaluate the dog? If not then you have not made any significant effort yet. Correcting the problem by "book learning" or video alone is very difficult for even a naturally skilled person. Learning to give effective well timed corrections is something you learn by guidance. The correct method of working with the dog depends upon the dog. I deliberatly did NOT say to force the dog into a "down" - I said to tell the dog to down. The point being that there are many ways of accomplishing the goal and force may or may not be appropriate.

It sounds to me like the situation with the cats is a symptom of a problem - the dog does not truly respect you and you do not know how to get the dog to obey even when it is on leash. The best chance your dog has for living is if you were to consult with a skilled knowledgeable trainer. However, it seems to me that you are reluctant to take that step. If you are unwilling to work with a professional trainer then your only real choice is to find a new home for the dog. I hope you are successful.

If you decide to seek the help of a trainer contact the rescue organization and see who they recommend - also your vet, the SPCA, other vets, training clubs - and see if any of my links will get you do someone knowledgeable http://www.dog-play.com/behavior.html At the very least if you actually seek the help of a trainer you will learn a lot. You will learn what kind of dog you are and are not capable of handling, you will learn how to recognize problems, and when to seek help, and you will learn if there is anything to be done, and what it will take to get there.

Diane Blackman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Be true to your own principles, and hold to them, else complain not when the world runs contrary.

Ari&Dave (hallett@erols.com) wrote:
: Hi. Thanks for the advice. After reading your post, I thought I'd send a few more details in what we've done to try to deal with this problem. We have tried the sort of thing you're suggesting on several occasions, and
<snip>
: old baby cat). Even though he was on lead, he never responded to any commands at all, whether given immediately as he saw the cat (and he tries to run to them immediately), or after the madness had really begun. We tried the traditional "NO!" while pulling the choke chain (no response at all), hitting him in the rump with a shake can and other noisy startling techniques (no response), newspaper to the rump (growled and nipped at us as a response), and as you suggested, we also tried forcing him to a submissive sit & down (growling and nipping response again). We kept trying this with no success, and then one time we accidentally let him get a
<snip>
: Normally Misha is a MUCH more controlled and well mannered guy. The degree of the behavioral change he undergoes when he sees a cat is amazing - a real "must see it to believe it" change! It's like he's another dog entirely. Without cats around, he's friendly and kind, also usually pretty obedient with the commands he knows on leash, and will even respond off leash normally when you insist. The only time we have this extreme kind of rebellion problem is when a cat is around. Since he has had some behavioral training and we're still having this problem, it makes me seriously wonder if this can be trained out of him? It's not like he's totally untrained and just needs to be taught control, so we're feeling pretty defeated. Maybe I'm not giving this enough time or not going about this right; I just
<snip>
: it's clear it's just rough play and curiosity. If the one trainer we talked to *is* right, then the real problem is that he thinks he's the boss, and the one time he feels most compelled to exert that dominance is when he wants to play with the cat, and as I said, she thinks it's most likely a lost cause to try to train him to be submissive to us and our commands when it comes to the cats and and the alpha attitude she suspects.

Subject: Re: HELP! Desperate to solve problem
Date: 1997/11/23

This is exactly the kind of situation that is just impossible to properly evaluate without seeing it. The thing you say that is of biggest concern is that the dog gets so excited he won't obey. You need to bring that under control. The particular behavior - picking the cat up etc. is a problem mostly because of the lack of control. Some cats honestly don't mind that kind of treatment BUT both the owner and the cat must be able to stop it if they desire. If the dog won't then it is a serious problem. One or another of my dogs has always taken a fancy to one or another of my cats and its not unusual to see the "dog takes cats head in mouth I heard my cat yowling as the DogPlayed roughly and as I'm scolding the dog the cat leaps out and starts play fighting with the dog's tail! But in that situation (1) the dog stopped when told (2) and the cat made the subsequent move to the dog showing that the cat wasn't bothered by the interaction. HOWEVER, the situation you describe could indeed suddenly turn deadly for the cat. Something that starts out as play can turn serious if the dog's prey drive gets switched on by the cat's behavior.

I think it well worth trying to work it through. The fact that the cats continued to allow themselves to be caught is a good sign. Do you own your home? I installed cat door in the bathroom door, and one bedroom door so the cats could always get relief from the dogs.

Instead of completely keeping the dog and cats separate you will do better to work on obedience and control. For now keep them separate when you cannot supervise, but try to find as much time as you can for supervised interaction. During supervised interaction your dog should be on leash. If you have not been to obedience classes you need to go so that you can learn how to enforce commands productively. During supervised interaction the dog should be told to "down" when a cat walks into the room. Your goal is to correct the dog for chasing the instant the dog makes the decision to chase - *but* - and this is critical - before the dog actually begins to do so. If you do not know how to read your dog's body language to know when exactly that is, then get the help of a trainer. How and when you correct for inappropriate interaction with the cat will make 100 percent difference in your chances of success.

You want to dog to learn to control itself so the cat can come over and the dog will lie quietly - even when the cat walks off. You want to allow physical interaction - but get the dog to "call off" when you say so. If you don't know how to do that then it is worth while to get the help of a trainer.

It isn't as expensive as you might guess. Of course its impossible for me to tell but from your description I really think its less a matter of aggression towards the cats and more a matter of lack of control. With help you should be able to achieve that control. And if you can't or if the situation is different than I'm guessing the best way to be sure is to have someone who can see it.

OH and try video taping the interactions because its unlikely it will be performed entirely normally in the presence of the trainer.

Diane Blackman
http://www.dog-play.com/behavior.html

Ari&Dave (hallett@erols.com) wrote:
: My husband and I have recently taken in a 6yr old rescue Samoyed and we're having some problems with him and our pet cats that really concern us.
<snip>
: that the cats are indeed getting more used to Misha, some of them are coming to play with him, and his responses are disturbing. First of all he gets incorrigible, and absolutely *refuses* to obey any command when he can get at them. He's even repeatedly growled and nipped at us for trying to get him away from the cats! He gets so excited by the experience he *literally trembles all over*, and after 2 months we're beginning to wonder if he'll ever calm down around them. (The problem has definitely been getting worse as time has goes along, not better.) But here's the aspect of this that really has us on edge: He does things like quickly lunge and nip
<snip>

Subject: Re: Cats and dogs together.
Date: 1997/11/17

I guess I do - treat the cats preferentially - although I never really thought about it. The main thing is to keep it *your* prerogative to discipline and interact. I have four cats and one kitten (looking for a home). Tanith got corrected for growling at the kitten when it came to investigate Tanith's chew toy. I ended up removing Tanith from toy (i.e. calling her to me which always results in her leaving the toy) allowing the kitten to investigate with Tanith watching and then allowing Tanith to see that her toy was unmolested and still hers. Sometimes I might drop a tasty bit for a cat and the dogs must allow the cat to eat it unmolested. Then the dogs get a bite - or sometimes not. Because cats and dogs have such different body language the ranking structure is not really "there" in the way we would think of it between dogs. I get the impression that the dogs view the cats as more my possessions, and thus not to be messed with, than true pack members.

Diane Blackman
Companion of Tanith and Oso; Nox, Yoda, Lady Greystoke and Mr. Doublestuff
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Be true to your own principles, and hold to them, else complain not when the world runs contrary.

Gil Woodring (woodring@jps.net) wrote:
: I have two cats (3.5yrs and 2.5yrs) and a 9week old puppy. I am aware that dogs follow a "pecking" order, you know, a top dog kind of thing. My cats get along great with the dog, one of them has definetly set the law straight and bops the puppy when she gets too friskey with the cat. The other cat is getting to the end of her tollerence and is starting to bop the puppy also. I'm sure the cats do this because they are tired of playing with the dog. The dog on the other hand, because of their nature, I think is becoming the "underdog" if you will. I'm all for this but should I treat my cats preferentally to the dog? Does the dog see the cats as her superiours?
: Thanks
: Gil

Subject: Re: Cats and Dogs
Date: 1997/12/04

If you teach your puppy to have some manners around the cats eventually they will very likely get along just fine. Puppy play is an insult to the dignity of many cats. Most just do not enjoy being pounced on by a playful pup. I have one cat that doesn't mind, but the rest only like the dogs when they are lying down quietly. So in answer to your question - yes when your puppy learns to watch without getting excited and pouncing the cats will come closer - and once you can get him to obey you NOT to chase them, once the cats find out you have control they will be more likely to take the risk of checking the dog out.

Diane Blackman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
You must speak to be heard. Silence assumes assent.

Leela Keshavan (lkeshava@mass-usr.com) wrote:
: Hi,
: Those of you who have dogs and cats together - is there any hope that my cats will ever go near my 11 week old puppy? The cats have been with me for over 4 years, and are about 4.3 years old. They have ventured out from hiding in the basement and actually wander the house, secure in their knowledge that the dog is penned in dog-safe areas with baby gates. The cats will even come into the family room when Emma (the puppy) is in there, unleashed, but they stay on high-elevated surfaces. The minute she sees them, she naturally gets excited and starts barking. The cats run away at that point, and frankly, I can understand why. Is there any hope that they will actually be able to come into contact with each other? Should I not expect this until the dog is a bit older and calmer? Or has learned stay such that she really does stay down and quiet - even when she sees a cat?!

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