Cats and dogs.....

[girliefriend]

Has anyone got any tips for making this a harmonious relationship???!!

I am looking after my dads long haired jack russell and he is a lovely dog but freaks out at the sight of our cat!! Am hoping that after a few days he will settle down..... ??! Anyone got any ideas for helping them get on? FWIW my cat is not bothered by the dog at all!!! Its just the dog who gets himself into a bit of a frenzy barking and running around in circles!!!

It is a lot to ask of a dog that has not grown up with cats to behave around them, especially terriers whose instinct to chase small furry things is very strong!

My jrt has grown up with cats but I wouldn't trust her not to chase a cat she didn't know.

Give your cat it's own space with it's food and litter tray well away from the dog so it can get away, it's really good your cat is laid back.
Keep dog in a crate when your not in as a dog who chases cats is likely to bite if he gets hold of your cat :-(.

When you are in pop dog on a long lead so you can keep hold of so you can stop the chasing behaviour. Then give treats and fuss when dog focuses on you. make yourself more exciting than the cat and practice the dogs recall frequently by attracting the dog with toys.

Good luck!

Thankyou for that, I know it is a big ask. Plan B if all else fails is to move the cat to my mums for the duration!!! Today has been fine as we have been out a lot and I put Riley (the dog) in his crate when the cat came in for his dinner and covered it loosly with a blanket so he couldn't see the cat! Its good that the weather is nice and the cat is out most of the time anyway.

Also had trouble when we took him for a walk getting him back on the lead as he was convinced we were going to get his ball!! Any tips there?? tia

Ok well this is what I do when teaching an adult dog recall, I start in the garden at a very short distance - shout "Riley come" and tasty treats in a rustly bag or squeaky toy to get his attention. When he comes reward him. Repeat this frequently and in the house - one room to another etc so basically whatever he is doing you are more exciting and he gets the idea that you = rewards.

When outside in open spaces if his recall is not 100% I'd advise using a washing line - tie knots in it so it won't slip through your foot if it's needed. It's lightweight and he can run around and you can practice recalling him frequently as you would if he was completely free but with the added safety you can grab him if needed.

Don't just make going on his lead the boring thing that happens at the end of a walk. Do it throughout the walk and use the time to practice some training while on a walk do some sits and downs and lots of praise.

When hes off lead it's great he's ball orientated as you can use the game of fetch to keep his attention on you plus gives them lots of exercise very hard to tire a jrt!! Mine has been out for her ball chasing walk very early this morning before the sun got hot!

I can't believe how much energy he has!!! He was up at 6.15am this morning ready for action, had a more successful walk in the park, I think he will go back on the lead but its when he feels ready!!!

I will practice the recall but once he has something he is very reluctant to let it go, playing fetch consists of me throwing the ball once and then spending the rest of the walk trying to convince him to give it back to me!!!

Had another long walk this afternoon and he freaked me out by jumping in a river - omg - I have never had a dog so nearly give me a heart attack as he did!!! My dad had mentioned he likes water but wasn't expecting him to hurtle himself down an embankment and throw himself in!!! He was fine obv but I am going to have to watch him around rivers. He has finally settled down and is now snoozing next to me.

The cat seems to be stalking him just to freak him out but he is doing very well and your distraction idea is working really well!!!

Thanks

Glad to hear he's settled down and some if the tips are helping.

Made me LOL at the jumping in the water mine is the same!! She will jump off anything into water!! Especially if her tennis ball rolls in the water.

Make sure you are taking the ball off him and you always start and end the games as if he has all the control he is in effect the boss of you and you don't want a dominant JRT!! I'm lucky with mine she is very gentle and submissive with people shes a real sweetie. Sadly due to bad experiences being attacked unprovoked by other dogs she is now quite intolerant of big bouncy dogs she will snarl and hackles go up and she chases them off - is totally a protective thing and she never bites or anything but i wish I could help her get over it.

Yes they are such active dogs and need loads of mental and physical exercise. They are loyal and brave companions and I just love them :o

Good luck and enjoy him.

Thankyou! He will now tolerate being in the same room as the cat which is progress! Didn't have a very successful walk with him this afternoon as couldn't get him back on the lead he just wouldn't come and I felt like a right wally shouting at him. Eventually we just walked home and he followed us and trotted in quite happily through the front door the little monkey!! Oh well hopefully by the end of the 3 weeks I will have got the hang of this, thankyou for your support!!!