A wee problem I need to solve please. Three adult cats used to our dogs but both dogs now deceased. A new 12 week old pup introduced and they will not get used to him even after nearly three weeks. We have done all the usual things as we have done this all before but this time it seems to be different.

The pup is very tolerant of them but as pups do he wants to sniff them. He is not aggressive in this but the cats go for him in a big way. So far, as we are very close, we have managed to avoid injury but the pup shows no sign of learning not to go too close too fast.

I know my cats and never thought for one moment they would not take to a new dog as quickly as the other dogs. One is 6 years, and the other two are 4 year old brothers. The older male cat is part Siamese but when we introduced the kittens he was a second mother to them, doing all the things a mother would do. The vet was most surprised as to the older cats behaviour, he stated it would be a problem to introduce kittens to a territorial part Siamese, this was not the case. They were very young, sickly and small and I rescued them myself from bad owners.

Is this different because the cats are adult and we are trying to introduce a pup, where before it was the other way round?, we introduced kittens to the two dogs with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Whichever way, I would appreciate any advice from experienced owners as we have tried all the usual and thought we knew enough to conquer whatever came along. Of course I will not consider having the cats claws removed.

There must be another solution. I really feel they need to thoroughly investigate each other and then it may stop but getting this done is proving to be difficult. Can one buy cat socks or something similar as a temporary measure? I have tried the net for a solution but found nothing as yet.

All the cats are as soft as clarts usually and so we are so surprised at this. Territory is not really an issue as they are used to other cats sitting with them in the garden and do not mind this. As I said before, they are used to dogs too.

I appreciate any input from anyone. I need to know how to prevent injury to dog by covering the cats claws, I am sure when they have a good sniff this will stop. If we as humans are stuck in a room for two weeks with a stranger without talking we would act the same. If I can let them get close, which they want to do, I am sure this can be solved.

We have had close periods with no attack but then it all goes wrong again.

Regards
Jackie

I think you've hit the nail on the head yourself- before you introduced kittens to dogs- now it's the other way round. My cat hates my dog- and I think I'd only had Kass a short while when I had to take her to the vets for eye drops because the cat had caught her inner eyelid:o Close one that- and lucky too as cats catch vermin and so carry the dirtiest diseases ever on their claws but it never got infected:o

The cat and dog have never got on and just tend to ignore and avoid each other now- the cat still hisses on occasion though at her- I'm not asking for them to like one another just have a mutual respect- where you stay out of my face and I'll stay out of yours. My cat's a softie too.

Try getting them in the same room together but have them both distracted- so they're aware that the dogs there but they don't have to bother each other. You be fussing the cats while your husbands fussing the dog? They might learn to ignore each other. I'm not aware of anything on the market that can prevent injury from their claws- sorry;)

Stacey x x x

Thanks Stacie for your help, its just what I do NOT want to happen, them just tolerating each other.

We have had in the past, two dogs, three cats, one cockatiel and two rabbits all running around together. The cat sleeps with the dog whilst the cockatiel perches on the edge of the bed, the rabbits sleep next to a cat, the cockatiel has his own plate on the table to collect his peas off our plates, etc etc.

Thats the way our house is and alway has been and many friends and visitors have a good giggle and wonder how we do it. I have always said, relax around the animals and they relax too BUT this time it is proving too great.

They don't fight you understand, they can pass and sit on the couch together with a person inbetween, what I am after is some kind of protection against the cats claws until the swiping now and again stage stops, which it will.
I dont want to take a chance that something may happen and cause irrepairable damage to any of the animals. I have to let them get close to get close so to speak. I am not after the greatest friends on earth trophy either, just a bit of relaxed harmony.

Thanks once again Stacie, I really appreciate your imput.

I sold a pup to a couple who had lost their 15 year old dog, and have two adult longhairs.

The cats were not impressed. It took a long time for themn to accept her, probably a couple of months. As she got bigger, and realised that they would tell her off, so left them alone more, they unbent a bit.

My advice would be to ensure that the cats always can get out of the room, and pup can't follow. Baby gates are great for this, and to crate the pup when you are out to keep it safe from Cat claws.

You may find you have threee or four months of cats and pup living at different levels in the same space.

Cats on back of soafa, pup on floor etc.

Way hey me old mucker Brainless, I knew you would have some good advice for me.

Well we managed to get a Beagle in the end as Dals were proving difficult to get. His name is Murray, which is actually my surname. He is tri colour and 12 weeks old now. We got news about him from Pet Plan and phoned straight away, they had two left due to a cancellation for both. We viewed, chatted for ages ad picked the male.

He learns OH so FAST that we cannot believe he is a beagle or is he really a collie in disguise??? He responds to ‘come’ ‘leave’ ‘sit’ ‘stay’ ‘fetch’ ‘don’t bite’ and give me your paw’. (Gizapaw)

He is very nearly fully house trained but has the odd accident which is ignored in the most part, just a small ’no’ is spoken then. He probably does not have full control yet. He does ‘leave’ the cats when told so that’s not a problem, and he does not chase them. All this in 2 and a half weeks, so that cannot be bad.

My problem……..

I honestly thought the cats (all used to dogs) would be no problem at all and am so very surprised they are treating him like something the cat dragged in, pardon the pun. They do not attack him for something to do but if he moves faster than 3 miles an hour in their semi close vicinity they will (individually not as a group) spit and then swipe at him. Two have caught him with claws and he yelped a bit, but no damage to be seen. The cats were water sprayed which caused a rapid retreat but this does not deter the pup from doing it again, whether he is brave or stupid I don’t know yet. (aww I hear you say)

They are never left alone at all and won’t be for a very long time but I didn’t anticipate having to keep them apart so that they can hardly begin to make friends so to speak in the first place. A good sniff is needed to suss each other out, they start to with no aggression and then all of a sudden the cat swipes with what looks like no warning and no reason. So its hard to let them get near to start this process.

I expect we can get there after a month or two, I just wondered if anyone knew of any items or the like to cover the cats claws on a temp basis.

Great to hear from you Brainless

Jackie

Ps, the cats have plenty of room to get out of the way but will sit in doorways, when the pup attempts to pass nonchalantly the cat may swipe, not all the time but now and again and I can see no pattern as to why. Why this time and not the last time. Weird man.............grin

Jackie

Child gates are great but when my Lab/Gordon was a pup ( and not a small one at that!) he could squeeze through and soon after not being able to do that he simply jumped it, I'm sure it works for others though!!! :) On the plus side, we brought in our first rescue with 2 already resident, and previously happy cats. It took time but now they live reasonably happy together (sadly we lost the boy cat to an idiot with an air rifle) although if Harry cat brings anything - normally live - in, there is usually a bit of a free for all!!! :D :D :D

Hi Chaliepud

I am going to try that as then the cats can see the pup but will not be able to swipe at him through the bars easily. I know they can jump it but if they want to sniff at him it will make it so much easier. Thanks so very much, I know where I can get a gate immediately.

Someone is going to make a lot of money when they invent something to cover cats paws for a couple of days. Must put my thinking cap on.

They want to make friends, especially the ginger one (bit laid back) but the pups fast movements make him jump, hence the swipe. Thats all it is, he moves fast, they jump and swipe. As soon as he slows down a bit it will get better.

thanks again
Jackie

I must have missed your new pupy news. all deatils please!!!! :D

My cats were disgusted when Taiko arrived at 8 weeks, crashing through the door yipping in true malamute style. Taiko is now 5 months and has never been scratched by the cats as yet. Treacle(very very stupid cat)seems to tease him, she'll make a point of mincing about until he gives chase knowing fine well the areas he can't reach. Poppy (smart cat) just sits and glares with utter contempt,standing her ground if he dares attempt a chase; she'll lift her paw and hiss/spit and he'll lift his paw and they'll both wave their paws about but she hasn't actually clawed him, I think she views him as a young dumb dog. The cats follow Taiko and I on walks, they all pass one another at the front door with no problems. I think they have all overcome any intial fear. I think it's just a matter of Taiko maturing before they reach the stage where they can all lie in front of the fire together. I think you have to allow the cats to put the pup in it's place while they can, dogs can learn submission whereas I think cats are entirely different. I'm confident that the situation will resolve itself without bloodshed as the pup matures/settles and the cats gain supremecy/confidence.
Julie :)

Julie ...good luck! Hudson has been scratched numerous times ..but all he wants to do is play with the nice furry critters!! If only they would stand still and let him sniff them and roll them and tear their squeekers out he would be happy :D

He will be 1 year old this week ;)

Melody

Hi taffyparker

thanks for your great reply. It is 3.5 weeks since our beagle came home and things have improved remarkably. It sounds just like the situation you have described. The white and ginger one sits and stares but will attempt to sit or play with the pup now. So I am not afraid he will hurt him as no claws are out, I know that as he has caught me several times in the process and its just pads of paws.

The siamese one has attempted to sit on the same cushion as the pup but a noise outside made the cat jump and he sprang away to the top of the couch instead...aww pooooo.

The black and white one now just goes about his business, he strolls past the pup on his way to the window cill and if the pup gives chase he stops, meows and the pup sits leaving the cat to continue nonchanlantly.

All very nice and so there was no need for me to panic at all.

One thing I will add, the vet gave pup his injection and the pup was wriggling around trying to bite/mouth her whilst she held him. She said this was very bad behaviour and we should use physical reactions to this as that is very bad. I dont mean clout him hard but hand slap his bum.......aww. I explained that we are training him with treats and voice commands, not by hitting him, she didnt agree. Has anyone else encountered a vet who says the same thing?

Have to be honest and admit, nope, Vets and I have never discussed discipline tactics. To me, their expertise lies within the medical realm. I guess that's rather limiting of me, but it's probably due to the ones that I worked with as a teenager keeping that part separate and not getting involved with their clients.
I know a lot of vets have many dogs/cats, but I really don't know where they would get the time to become specialists in animal training along with their medical education. I know there are some who do manage to keep up on current education and trends, but so far, not in my experience.
Do what you think is best and don't worry about what your vet says. Especially if it goes against your own personal beliefs.
good luck,
toodles

Hi Eog

yes thats exactly what I said. vets are good when it comes to an animals tummy upset but did she really know how to train a beagle??? I know full well they are hard to train but her attitude was that beagles do not make good pets.

I stated that I had had one before and a dalmation, that sort of stopped her in her tracks. I have the greatest respect for the skill she has but was a bit taken a back at her attitude at a beagle as a pet......oooer mrs.

regards
Jackie

Her attitude does surprise me, as after all it is the poor Beagle that has been purpose bred for Animal experiments, mainly as they are easy to manage, and generally placid, (Their hunting traits and stubborness wouldn't have much outlest in a lab situation).

The above is an observation, and not a view pro or anti on animals used in experimentation and testing.

When I checked the Iam (dog good) site I was surprised that beagles are not the only dog to suffer, there are many breeds for the same purpose. Needless to say I do not buy Iam's.

regards
Jackie

Hi, I think one of my vets might advocate a gentle tap on the nose if asked though he wouldn't say puppy mouthing was 'very bad behaviour'. He bred & showed a giant breed is very interested in training/behavioural problems. He is excellent when it comes to serious problems and willingly refers to a vet qualifed behaviourist at the local vet school though I've never heard from anyone who was told anything significantly different from what he'd already advised. But with minor 'problems' in pups and dogs of sound temperament he believes that in the long run "a gentle smack in time saves dogs lives and owners' sanity" as long as its appropriate, well timed and not given in a temper. He also thinks its less confusing, and probably less 'cruel' to the dog than 'time-out' or ignoring it. Its not PC but I totally agree with him.