Preventing Dog And Cat Battles
It is important to ease a dog and cat into a new situation. Do not just throw the new pet into the mix and hope for the best. Before you know it, the fur will be flying and you or your pets could get seriously hurt. Instead, start slow. The most important part of the process is that you must directly supervise both pets. There should be no unsupervised direct contact until you are confident that both animals will behave appropriately.
Remember to be safe while supervising your pets. An agitated cat or dog might mistakenly redirect aggression towards you, and scratches or bites are the last things you need. If necessary, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of gloves.
Introductions should be done in steps, and each introduction should be done when all pets are as calm and relaxed as possible, like after a mealtime. There is no exact formula or timeline, you just move onto the next stage when you feel the time is right. Make sure you remain in control of the situation. If you are in doubt, it is okay to back up a step. This process can take days, weeks, or even months.
Here is how to begin the careful process of introducing dogs and cats so they will get along.;
Slow And Steady Wins The Race
Rome wasnt built in a day, and so you probably shouldnt expect your cat to be poised and purring right away either. Take slow, baby steps. If you want your cat to use the toilet instead of the litterbox, slowly transition the box into the bathroom, then on top of the toilet, then use an insert inside the bowl, and then remove the bowl. If you want your cat to walk on a leash, let it get used to the leash, and then harness it, and then clip it on for a short period outside in the backyard. For cats, its all about baby steps.
Besides, before you know it all that hard work will pay off, and your cat will be acting like a doggone dog, doggonit. All dog-day long.
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Cats From Myeo To Meow
Felis catus. Egyptologists suggest Egyptians were domesticating African wildcats as early as 3,500 BC. These tamed cats were called myeo or mau. However, some archaeologists place the date at ~6,000 BC. Whenever it happened, it seems to be a result of the cat following the rodents, snakes and other pests that gathered around civilization where man was stockpiling food supplies. Initially cats were tolerated by humans because they killed these pests, and although full domestication and companionship status followed, domestic cats have an entirely different outlook on their relationship with people than dogs.
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Add A Comment To Roxie’s Experience
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Hello Sara,I highly suggest hiring a professional trainer to help you. After killing two of your cats and attempting a third, all on separate occasions he may never be safe around the cats again. These are not random, isolated incidences. The repetition suggests something more intentional – making it much more dangerous for the remaining cats. If the cats were your neighbors cats outside he could be taught to avoid them probably, but when in the same space together all the time an avoidance is not reliable, and management may be your only option. Unless something is triggering the attacks other than prey drive toward them, that can be modified to stop the incidences, your other cats are in definite danger, even with good management. Someone needs to evaluate the situation in person.Best of luck training,Caitlin Crittenden
Add A Comment To Nika’s Experience
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Hello, I apologize for the delay in reply. I would call in a trainer used to working with these types of situations. I can give you a few guides to read but I really think that hands-on training is necessary. As I am sure you are doing, keep Joe away from the cat and make sure that the cat always has a safe and secure, easily reached retreat. Sometimes, it takes a long time before a dog will behave around a cat and there have been many instances where it never happens. So be prepared to keep the cat safe long term. Look online for a trainer, you may be able to speak with someone virtually as well. In the meantime, you can try tips from here: https://wagwalking.com/training/get-along-with-cats and here: https://wagwalking.com/training/accept-a-kitten. Read both guides through for advice. Be patient, and please seek out a trainer in your area for help. Even one private session can make a difference and perhaps bring peace to the home. But a very aggressive dog may never accept a cat, so please keep the cat safe. All the best to Joe and the cat!
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Tips To Train Your Cat Like A Dog
By Amber Dowlingon July 26, 2018
There are two types of people in this world: dog people and cat people. And while dog people will expound on the merits of being able to train their trusty pets, they may be forgetting one small thing: you can train a cat, too.
Sure, felines may not as readily beg, sit, speak, or play dead on command, but in theory they can be trained to do almost anything that your pooch can do. So if youre looking to get your cat in tip top training shape, heres how to train them like a dog.
Can You Train A High Prey Drive Dog To Live With A Kitten
Dogs are predators but we often dont really want them to act out those predatory instincts. Some dogs are more high prey drive than others. Is it even possible to train a high prey drive dog to live with a kitten? If so, how?
Our Certified Dog Behavior Consultants tackle this question in todays Ask a Behavior Consultant.
Can a dog with a high prey drive be trained to live with a kitten? We introduced our dog to the kitten wed like to adopt, and the kitten was calm but our dog seemed like she wanted to bite her and shake her like a toy.
Sincerely, Cats Are Friends Not Food
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The Science Behind Why Dogs Eat Cat Poop
Many dogs enjoy eating all kinds of poop, much to our disgust. This behavior is totally natural; dogs are scavengers by nature. That being said, dogs eat all kinds of things: garbage, carpet, rocks, and more. Cat poop is just another thing to scavenge and eat.
While you might think cat poop smells gross, it probably smells like cat food to your dog. Since normal cat food appeals to a dogs sense of smell, and many dogs love to eat it, this is one of the reasons why theyre often ready to snack out of the litter box.
Eating poop, a habit called coprophagia, can be the result of a dietary deficiency, but in most cases, it is just the product of exploration, which can become a bad habit. The Merck Veterinary Manual states, as part of exploratory behavior, many dogs are attracted to and may ingest feces, compost, and prey . Additionally, normal maternal behavior for dogs includes the consumption of feces and urine of young puppies.
Add A Comment To Tundra’s Experience
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Hello Hunter,I recommend working with a trainer who specializes in behavior issues to teach pup an avoidance of cats. The trainer will need to have access to their own cat for training practice as well.Check out the videos linked below.Check out James Penrith from TaketheLeadDogTraining for examples of this type of training. He has a Youtube channel. He works with dogs that chase and sometimes will kill livestock. Teaching pup to avoid cats similarly.Day 1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgNbWCK9lFcDay 2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpf5Bn-MNko&t=14sDay 3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj3nMvvHhwQDay 4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxrGQ-AZylYMild cat issue – teaching impulse control:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWF2Ohik8iMModerate cat issue – teaching impulse control using corrections and rewards:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dPIC3Jtn0ESevere cat issue:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MLJV5PBh7YMore e-collar work with cats with the same dog:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8lkbX0dhT0Best of luck training,Caitlin Crittenden
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Add A Comment To Jacob’s Experience
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Thank you for the question. I cannot tell at all from a picture whether Mina would harm your cats, but the fact that she has gone after other prey means that you must be vigilant and protect the cats at every instance. I would not take any chances by ever leaving them alone together but you may be able to have them in the same room supervised. I agree that you do not want to set the other dogs off because it may do irreversible damage to their relationship. Here is a guide about introducing a dog to cats: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-to-not-chase-cats. However, I do think before you consider introducing them, you have to allow Mina into the house and get her relaxed in her new home, so that she feels secure, well-fed, and loved. Mina needs this after what she has been through. Get her used to the routine of the house and get her potty trained as you mentioned. Keep the cats away from her in a secured area where she can get used to seeing them without having access. Once Mina is secure and relaxed in her surroundings and has had obedience training, then you can consider an introduction. Being a German Shepherd, she will learn her commands very quickly. This knowledge will come in handy when you are teaching her how to behave around the cats. Good luck and enjoy the training!
Keep The Situation Positive
You should avoid scolding your dog in all circumstances. Imagine if you scold your dog every time it interacts with the cat, your dog might think that its the cats fault as to why it is getting scolded. This will increase the tension between your cat and dog. If your dog is being friendly towards the cat, reward and praise him. This will encourage your dog to continue to show a more positive behaviour towards the cat.
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What To Do When Your Pets Dont Get Along
In a previous column I discussed introducing a new cat to a household where a cat already lives. Believe it or not, successfully introducing a dog or puppy to a house with an established cat is not that different. The trick is to go slowly.
Cats are creatures of habit. They instinctively dislike any change in their lives, such as moving houses, going to a boarding facility, or adding a new pet to the family. It takes time for them to get used to these changes.
Your cat views the house as her own. She likely considers the puppy as an interloper in her territory. As well, the rambunctious behavior of puppies is a considerable affront to the dignified sensibilities of most cats.
The good news is that ultimately, dogs and cats who live together usually get along splendidly, and I have seen countless examples of dogs and cats who are firm and fast friends. However, it takes time for this relationship to develop.
As I mentioned above, I recommend that you make the process of introduction a slow one. The two pets do not need to come face to face at first. Believe me, they will both know the other one is in the house.
When it is time for them to meet in person, I recommend that you keep the puppy restrained on a leash.
Give the cat time to adjust to the presence of the dog in the room, and let the cat be the one to approach the dog. If the dog is allowed free access to the cat, his exuberant efforts to meet her may result in an injury such as a damaging claw to the eye.
How To Introduce A Dog To A Cat
Some dogs do fine living with cats; others simply cannot live safely with felines. Sometimes, a dog can live with certain cats , but not others. Even if your dog has successfully lived with cats in the past, it is important to remember that each dog and each cat is an individual and therefore each introduction is different.
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Add A Comment To Luna’s Experience
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Thank you for the question. I think based on the experience that happened with your poor cat, it is going to be a challenge to train all three to leave the cats alone. The catio may be the only solution and I do think it is imperative that you prevent the cats from getting outside at all costs when the dogs are out. Even though you may think that you make progress with the three dogs, it will just take one of them being in the mood to chase and possibly injure and then there will be nothing you can do to stop them. I really think that the safest thing to do is keep the cats safe at all costs. You could look into having a training specialist come and evaluate the dogs to give an opinion but Terriers, for example, were once trained to track and dispose of vermin. The chase and conquer trait is an innate one. I know this must be difficult but I also know that you do not want your cats to suffer – I think it’s best to keep them away from the dogs. All the best.
Work On Scent Swapping
While the kitten and dog are living in separate parts of the house, be sure you swap out their sleeping spaces every few days.
You can simply put an old towel on the dog and cats favorite resting places to soak up scent , then switch them over. This is an important step because both dogs and cats are much more scent-focused than us humans!
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Keep Their Things Separate
If you can keep their bowls in different locations it will help prevent them from fighting over each others food. Dogs can be territorial when it comes to food so best let them eat in different areas. You could allow your cat to eat up high out of the way, on a table or other surface for instance, whilst your dog eats on the floor. Separate rooms is also a good idea if thats an option – one in the utility and the other in the kitchen for example.
Adapting To The New Situation
As discussed above, it is common to have to repeat encounters between the dog and the cat so they both get used to each other and start to get along.
At this stage, there may be some mischief, especially from the cat. Reduce the cat’s misbehavior by using positive reinforcement; don’t punish bad behavior, but praise them and give them treats when they behave correctly.
With time, patience and the use of positive reinforcement, the dog and the cat will at least begin to tolerate each other. Remember, for some cases this is a long process. While in certain situations they will become friends quickly, others may take months to accept each other. You should keep this in mind.
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Add A Comment To Piper And Bella’s Experience
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Hello Inas,It does sound like he may be prey driven toward the cats. If that is the case, I suggest teaching him to avoid the cats completely.If his response toward the cats is less extreme, then you could teach him to go somewhere like a dog house when he sees the cat .You would first teach him a command that means he should go into the dog house, then you would heavily reward him for obeying that command.Next, you would practice the command in the cat’s presence, with someone else managing the cat and him on leash, so that he learns that as soon as he sees the cat he should go in his house to receive a reward.Finally, you would remove the command and simply practice letting the cat’s appearance be his cue to go to the dog house to get his reward.This will probably only work if he is not highly prey driven toward the cat, but simply excited about them or unsure about them.If he is highly prey driven toward the cat, you will need to teach a high level avoidance like the one used to teach livestock chasing dogs to avoid livestock. To do this, find a trainer who can help you implement the training from the videos linked below.Finally, take extra measures to keep the cat from getting outside whenever possible.Day 1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgNbWCK9lFcDay 2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpf5Bn-MNko&t=14sDay 3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj3nMvvHhwQDay 4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxrGQ-AZylYBest of luck training,Caitlin Crittenden
Remember That Every Pet Is Different And Be Realistic In Your Expectations Of Them
All animals, just like humans, have their own ways and personality traits. Some are more sociable and laid back than;others. Some just want their own space on their own terms. Its important not to force anything and also not to give up. Take it steadily and react to how things are going on any given day. Perseverance and making transitional changes is key to a long lasting happy relationship between cat and dog. And remember, some pets just wont enjoy being around others. It doesnt mean they cant live in the same house, just value their differences and try to give them the space they prefer. Keep them away from other pets as much possible and dont force their interactions. Things will work out in the end and all family members will find their rightful place in the family household.
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