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Please come and offer advice and make me feel better

8 replies

Ormirian · 30/06/2011 12:11

Harley came and visited us today. He is totally adorable and had such a good time with the DC incl one of DD's friends. He would be a lovely family dog. But he was much too interested in my cats and Lola arched and spat at him. WHen we took him outside and he was off the lead he chased on of them - not barking or growling but even so. The rescue chap reckons we can train him not to and he wouldn't have hurt them but I am feeling so despondent.

Any advice. Right now I am doubting whether we can have him but I am ready to be persuaded.

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tabulahrasa · 30/06/2011 12:19

I think if he was going to eat one of them, he would have done.

My last dog chased cats outside, because they ran away (if he actually caught up with them he just wagged his tail and got very excited), we never even had to train him not to chase our cats. He did hassle them lots, in a, play with me type way, they hissed at him, he backed off.

I think it's entirely normal for a dog to come into a house with cats and go, what's that, what is that? can I play with it? can I lick it? Does it have food? etc. :)

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Ormirian · 30/06/2011 12:30

Oh I hope so tabula. SOunds ridiculous but I am actually in tears atm - I love my dear mogs and I don't want them hurt/frightened because we chose to adopt a dog.

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twojues · 30/06/2011 12:33

My 7 year old lab will curl up on his bed with my cats. He lets them lick him and rub up against him, but ....

if he is outside and sees one of them in the garden, he will chase them!!!! They're fair game when outside. I'm sure he does it just to wind them up.

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Merrylegs · 30/06/2011 12:37

It depends on his background. What kind of dog is Harley? If, for eg, he is an ex-racing greyhound then I would say there is pretty much no chance of reliable re-training.

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DooinMeCleanin · 30/06/2011 12:49

My terrier was adamant that the cat was super once he settled in. It took a lot of hard work, but we managed to persuede him the cat was not a tasty snack. They still don't like each other, but they tolerate each other mainly. The dog will still chase the cat, but loses interest when he catches him.

It is do-able, but it's not easy. It also would depend on the dog. I haven't got a chance of ever teaching my terrier that parrots make not a tasty snack. I have accepted this now.

In your case I'd be inclined to listen to the rescue guy. They normally know what they are talking about. A lot of dogs chase cats without the intention of hurting them. It is normally easy to spot a dog that intends to harm the cat.

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Ormirian · 30/06/2011 12:52

Thanks.

He's a collie x shepherd x lab (probably) and the softest thing you have ever seen.

dooin - rescue guy reckoned you could tell if he meant harm to the cats and he clearly didn't. I guess I am just feeling a bit guilty about the upset I might cause them so am a bit oversensitive. TBH the cats largely ignore us until it's time for food so we only see them in the kitchen or on one of our beds so I suppose if we put up a gate at the bottom of the stairs we can keep dog in once place and let them have upstairs as their own domain.

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Jaynerae · 30/06/2011 14:09

I had baby Beagle when Cat was 18 months old - Baby Beagle chased Cat if she saw her but we have never let Beagle upstairs - so that is Cats sanctuary. Cat eats on living room windowsill and also has second bed there so can be up high and not pestered by Beagle.

We adopted CKCS in Feb of this year and he is much more interested in cat = will chase her if he sees her run - but if she just saunters past he just stands and wags tail at her!

Both dogs will chase her if in garden.

Cat has worked out what to do when. When dogs go to bed at 9.30pm, cat comes and gets on my lap for fuss then goes out at when I go to bed.

Cat comes in, in the morning in to living room for breakfast - dogs stay in kitchen at this point - cat eats then goes upstairs to bed.

Dogs can go in living room then.

SO we have a little routine that suits the animals fine and they all cope very well.

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Ormirian · 01/07/2011 11:53

Thanks everyone.

Had a bit of a panic last night at the thought of having to monitor and restrain dog 24 hours a day But feeling better today. The rescue have said to call them if ever we need advice - they have been utterly fantastic! And I am taking Harley back every sunday for obedience classes (might try the DC with those ).

So saturday is it. DH is away all day and DD is at the stable so will just be the 2 boys and me.

I can't beleive I am so nervous