puppy and cats

[chelsea78]

Hi there everyone,
I have just got a little pup of 7wks old and i have 2 cats, cats were facinated by him and followed him around everywhere he just tryed playing with them, but i have noticed in aday the pup has turned to a bully and trys to attack the littlest of the cats, im worried that when the pup gets bigger he will actually kill one of my cats.

what do you think?
is it normal behaviour and will he grow to become more agressive towards my cats or will he just get bored of them and leave them alone?

cheers chels

[hau kola]

What sort of dog is it?

[Psychick]

Chances are its just he puppy playfulness and doesnt mean any harm. When my friend got a puppy and put it with her cat, as the puppy grew he would put his mouth around the cats head! He never harmed the cat and the cat would always just sit there and not even flinch! What exactly is it he does?

[chelsea78]

He's a staff
He traps her in a corner and trys bitting her while barkin and growlin at her, she really is quite scared now i wish she would wack him so hes put in his place but she such a soft cat and just freezes on the spot

[kita1]

This link may help answer some questions:

http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/3/BehAdv/dogs_&_cats_i n_harmony.htm

[jules77]

Now you have told us what breed the puppy is, it makes all the difference. SBT's dont generally integrate well with other pets, although there are exceptions, but I think you should keep them apart - and never leave them alone together. On the other end of the scale, my fathers cat would seriously harm a dog given the chance, but a couple of SBT's round the corner tried to get him and these are the only dogs he has ever run away from.

[lankeela]

Seven weeks is very young for him to be away from his mum and litter mates. This is the time when mum would be putting him in his place and he would learn by play fighting with his brother and sisters how far he can go. You have to take the place of his mum and tell him off and certainly not let him corner the cat and attack it. If you keep them separate now you will have far more trouble if he ever gets to meet the cat when he is bigger. If you cannot stop him doing it then you have to decide whether you want to take the risk of him seriously hurting or killing your cat. Use distraction techniques when he goes after the cat, give him a toy or a cherw and praise him if he leaves the cat alone. Use a gruff tone of voice to tell him off and call him to you for a fuss if he comes away from the cat.

Good luck, you have your work cut out.

[chelsea78]

No they are never left together in the same room and every time he does chase her or show agresion to her then he is told to leave her.
cheers for replys and the link kita

[meltoadhall]

I would suggest a deep growly "Nooooooooooooo" whenever he goes to attack her and if he persists put him on the lead and very gradually introduce him to a cat - everytime he goes to towards it do the same deep "nooooo". Eventually he will come to ignore her and when he does give him praise - it could take a few months to do but keep calm and dont shout, be the dominant head of the pack