Dog/cat advice

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by otisotisotis

after many years, i have a dog again.
only problem is that we have 2 cats that have been with us for 6+ years.
is there an easy way to help them get along, or is it something that just needs to take time?
thx

My dogs have always gotten along with cats... it's the cats that have the problem normally! LOL

[The Bid]

Very easy problem to solve,get rid of the cats!

[otisotisotis]

Originally Posted by The Bid

Very easy problem to solve,get rid of the cats!

if only so easy!
the problem is i have 1 that i call "the 6 million $ cat".
he's worn thru about 8 1/2 lives already and now i have too much invested in him to let someone else let him die.
i think she's a sweet enough girl, but you never know.
playing the isolation game with them for now until the weekend when i can be around more often.

[Riot]

If it's a puppy, the absolute starting (training) rule is that the dog can never physically touch the cat (it must move out of the way of the cats; if a cat walks up to it, it must back away; if a cat is sitting there, it must walk around; it can never chase the cat, etc). This should get you an adult dog that would never think of a cat as an appetizer.

If it's an adult dog, same rule applies. If it wants to chase the cats, or shows too much interest (stares at or watches the cats), obviously discourage that behaviour (teach the dog it must avoid and move out of the way of the cats, and it cannot stare at them), but know you will probably never be able to trust them alone without you there (and sometimes even with you there). Unless you have a teacup Yorkie, it only takes one good mouthing to crush a cat, and that's tragic. Always lock up the dog when you are gone to protect the cats.

My dogs that were raised with cats from puppyhood (above method) never look twice at them, snuggle with them if the cats want to, etc., even though they are hunting dogs. They can be called off chasing stray cats in the yard. 100% safe.

My dogs that were not raised with cats unfortunately kill cats on contact, unless indoors. When indoors, they still want to go for the cats, but don't even dare look at them or acknowledge their presence, as they know we will have a "come to Jesus" meeting if they dare even think about it. I never, ever trust these dogs with cats, as I love cats

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

My dogs have always gotten along with cats... it's the cats that have the problem normally! LOL

sleep2.JPG

Mine were always fine together!

[Riot]

Awww, what a cute picture!

At my house, the cat would be sleeping on the top of the couch, and while sleeping, it would stretch and accidentally fall down on top of the sleeping dog, causing the dog to spring to life startled from sleep, knocking over everything in it's path and causing the dogs on the floor to awake startled, too, wondering what in the world fell on it from out of the sky while it was dreaming.

The dog would stand there wondering, "Hey, I was just sleeping, and now I'm both awake and off the couch, and probably in trouble for knocking over everything in the room and getting the other dogs riled up, how did that happen, I'm innocent, I tell ya!"

The cat wouldn't even wake up, and would now be sleeping in the warm, cushy spot on the couch vacated by the dog.

Cats rule

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Storm Cadet

Attachment 445

Mine were always fine together!

Cute picture!

My dogs always loved cats, but the cats didn't care for them. LOL

Cats definitely have the upperhand, that's for sure.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by Storm Cadet

Attachment 445

Mine were always fine together!

Beautiful babys Storm Cadet!!!

[deltagulf]

both dogs and cat just love each other. they play and sleep together alot.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by deltagulf

both dogs and cat just love each other. they play and sleep together alot.

HOW ADORABLE ARE THEY? So sweet!

[Danzig]

my cat tolerates my dog, but no other dog in the neighborhood is allowed into simons good graces. he's sent more than one packing, yelping from a swipe to the nose.