Some of the posts on the CM thread tonight made me realise that maybe I don't have to live like this anymore...
I have a 10 yo ex-farm, failed-sheepdog Border collie bitch, who, over the last seven years with our family, has become the most fabulously gentle house pet ever.
The only issue is that she's terrified of cats; I don't know why, I can only think that she had this fear when we first rehomed her at the age of three. But we didn't have cats then.
My son found a seriously-injured feral kitten (we live rurally, it wasn't a pet) about five years ago; we paid the vets fees to save his life and, because I don't believe in "only kittens" (and because actually ime, two kittens are less hassle than one) rehomed another feral farm kitten of similar age. They are gorgeous family pets, now.
However, I was that, when first introduced, the collie snapped at the injured kitten, which was in my husband's hands at the time, not bugging the dog. (Though it was above her head.)
We've kept them separate since; a few attempts at introducing them have led to the collie pressing up against the door to get out, plainly scared, with the cats "stalking" her (because they're curious/stupid, one of each ) and I'm scared that she'd snap again out of fear. Having seen her kill a mouse with one bite, I have unpleasant visions of the feline equivalent. A collie has Big Jaws.
It's not difficult to keep them apart, and the collie does a studied 180 degree turn from cats if she sees them outdoors (you can almost see her whistle nonchalantly). But it would be nice to have them all together in the livingroom of an evening.
So, to the point.
Treats if she acts well in the presence of cats, yes?
She presses up against the door to get out. What do I do from there?
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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Step by step, please
3 replies
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 21/12/2010 01:35
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