Dog Community

Need advice: Behavior with pet cats

Kara

Posted : 3/29/2006 12:04:05 PM

We have had our Dogo Argentino, Gracie going on a 9 days now. She is 19 weeks old and a very smart good little girl! We have 2 older cats and Gracie is bugging the male cat, non-stop. Gracie gets into the play bow position and shakes her butt and barks wanting to play with Case (the male cat). Case hisses and spits at her which Gracie thinks is lots of fun. When Case slaps her with his paws/claws Gracie loves it. This will go on for a LONG time. The only time Gracie isn't bugging Case is when she is playing with us or is asleep. Case is constantly taunting Gracie when she is outside. He will sit at the window/screen and hiss and spit at her. This will make Gracie bark like a mad woman. Gracie is terrified of our girl cat, Razen.

I was told to let Gracie learn that the cats don't like to be bothered and that after a few times of the cat clawing the dog she will leave the cats alone. This doesn't seem to be the case. Gracie thinks the cat clawing at her is great fun. So, what would be the next step in dealing with this?

Abby

Posted : 3/29/2006 8:37:23 PM

Have you started training her to sit or down yet? And stay? How about "leave it"?

Tara took MONTHS to realize that my 13 year old cat, Olivia, really isn't interested in playing with her.They can now be in the same room together without driving me nuts

Olivia is declawed (which I will NEVER do again!), and basically a little teddy bear that won't defend herself in any way. Tara has encountered cats with claws and has immense respect for them, but she likes to taunt the cats into chasing her.

I helped Tara get past her Olivia-obsession by praising her any time the cat walked by and Tara did nothing but watch. I also made her sit/stay while on leash sometimes while the cat walked around doing cat things. Tara got lots of praise for leaving her alone. They can actually share the couch peacefully now, which never happened in the months right after I brought Tara home. Kitty is part of the pack, and Tara wants everyone to feel loved, whether they want it or not, lol.

Good luck with Gracie!

Kara

Posted : 3/30/2006 11:22:06 AM

awesome info! Thank you Abby! I'll try your suggestions. I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that things will eventually calm down! Thank god!

Abby

Posted : 4/10/2006 6:54:03 PM

I just caught this pic last night - had to share just to show you it CAN happen! hehe Post back some time and let us know how it's going!

marynh

Posted : 4/10/2006 8:30:30 PM

we've taught Molly "no kitty" when she starts to show interest in the cats. She also seems to focus on one cat in particular. My declawed (I didn't do it) Tilly. But Tilly has beat Molly into submission LOL not literally of course but Tilly can hit really hard. Unfortunately Molly has learned that Tilly's slap doesn't have quite the same effect as the other cats and I think that's why she focuses on Tilly so much.
Anyway we get Molly's attention on us when she is so focused on the cats she can't think and make her change position (just to make her do something) and say "no kitty". she has to be reminded often but she knows what it means.