please please help ...at end of the road with cat and dog

[bednobs]

please help if you can ... We have i male cat about 8 years old who we got from the rescue centre about 4 years ago. 6 weeks ago we got a collie cross (also a rescue, male, about 2 years old) The dog was "cat tested" (althugh i have no idea what this actually means) and was passed. Our cat is a bit timid, and we started off having the cat in a box in a high place, there was a bit of hissing, but it was ok. Then the cat for a few days crept in and out of the catflap when the dog was aslepp, but took off directly upstairs (which the dog cant get to). However, once when he was creeping the dog woke up and went "woof" so the cat ran, and the dog chased. Since then the cat has decamped to upstairs, will only come down to go out when the dog is out, and stays sitting up a tree in our garden for 24 hours at a time. What can i do?? I dont want them to love each other, just tolerate each other, so the cat can go back to coming and going as he pleases. Any magic solutions please?

[jostar]

Hi Bednobs. We have a male cat who is 15 and another who is 4 we also have 2 female dogs one a mongrel and the other a border collie. The older cat will have nothing to do with either of them and has never 'got used' to them the younger cat frequently attacks them which seems to keep them in thier place. The border collie seems to think they are sheep and stares at them for hours on end. The older cat now lives across the road at the neighbours or on top of the kitchen dresser. You may end up doing what we do which is just ignoring the situation and letting them sort it out themselves. Good luck!!

[bednobs]

i really thank you for your reply, we have been talking about possible solutions today, none of which seem appealing (cat going to live with parents, dog going back to rescue centre etc)
i suppose another factor is that the cat is "mine" while the dog is "my husband's" and i dont want the cat to be upset! i wouldnt mind if the cat swiped the dog, or even if they just ignored each other, but i just cant stand the miserable look on my cats face, as if we've betrayed him (i know this is my problem, not his!)
Anyway, although its not a solution, i really appreciate you answering me, as its nice to know ere not alone ... everyone else just says "give it time"

[meltoadhall]

our puppy is nearly 11 months and we have 3 cats they still hate the dog and creep past him when he is asleep. they growl at him and occasionaly swipe at him and he barks at them sometimes. but for the most they ignore each other and i ignore them.

[antiguru]

I sympathise. We take rescue dogs who are 10 or more, but we also have 2 cats I�ve had from kittens who are now nearly 12. Rescue centres can test for obvious anti-cat tendencies, but there�s no substitute for them sharing the same space. Whenever we take on a new dog, the welfare and happiness of my cats is my first priority. The settling days are traumatic for everyone, but so far we�ve come through it. One of them was a collie. Bright dogs.

These are your choices:

1. Let time pass and hope they settle into a mutual respect for each other.
2. Force the situation by shutting them in the same room (sitting room is best � you need to get on with something and ignore them) with one of you (not the whole pack, just one who is senior to them all). Give them all a small treat each time they are good and a sharp �no� when they are not. This option takes balls. Don�t give in too early.
3. take your rescue dog back to the centre. Harsh, but your cat is getting distressed and the dog is not that happy either.

Other things to consider: Think about the whole pack dynamic. Your cat and dog know the whole dynamic is up for grabs and you and your husband must provide a united front so they don�t divide you. If you don�t watch this, the dog will start to dominate you next.

Also, if you haven�t already chopped his nuts off ( the dog�) think about this. Neutered dogs are calmer, which your cat will appreciate, and it�ll save you a lot of trouble when this wilful dog gets a bit older.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[antiguru]

Actually the neutering thing applies to the cat too. Plenty of unwanted kittens in the world already and it�ll make him less territorial.

[Pea Pod]

this always works! put your cat in a cat carrier and leave it in the room,on the floor,with the dog.it doesnt work when cat is higher than the dog as cat feels superior!your cat will still hiss etc but after a few hours will learn that although the dog is very close in the same room it will not harm him/her.this is a proven method and once you have cracked it they will be pals..