6 month old Boxer won't leave cat alone (long) :(

[michtv]

Ok we adopted a 2 year old cat about 2 months ago and my boxer wont leave the cat alone. We have a two story home and basically the cat lives upstairs never gets to come down stairs and my boxer stays down stairs and doesnt get to go up.

Vincent, the cat, will take off the second he sees Atlas, boxer pup, move fast even though we're holding Atlas. I know other people who have cats and dogs, but the cats just kind of sit somewhere high and the dog gives up after a while.We dont have a chance for this because Vincent takes off. We put a baby gate for the stairs because Atlas kept running up the stairs looking for the cat and trying to get under the bed even though he didnt fit. I don't know if he's trying to play or he thinks its prey. I do know that if the cat comes downstairs and we make him down he will lay there and shake without looking away from the cat. If we leave the house and come home Atlas will start sniffing the entire bottom floor looking for the cat. Oh and its not just Vincent its any cat in the neighborhood. We tried having both of them in one room and Atlas just kept putting his paw on him and Vincent wasn't having that so Vincent just kept making this weird purring sound. After a while Atlas was able to sit there and just lay there relaxed but once the cat moved Atlas got all excited again.

Atlas is an amazing pup. He's funny, smart, he listens very well(except when there is cat around), he so friendly towards people, other dogs, and kids. He doesnt get jealous if you go and pet other dogs while he's watching from a distance. He's so perfect We just want him leave the cat alone. He doesnt have to be best friends if he cant, but to leave the cat alone. We just want to be able to have Vincent come down the stairs and cuddle up with us the same way Atlas gets to does.

Does it take time? Does his age make a difference?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Misnobabi]

We just got a kitten for our daughter yesterday. Rocky refuses to leave the cat alone. To be honest I thought it wouldn't survive the first day because he's so rough and growls at strays that come around. But the kitten went right up to him and start batting at his face. Today the kitten wrapped itself around one of his front paws and he kept trying to get him off but couldn't reach. I ended up having to put the cat in my daughter's room last night because the dog could be heard bouncing on the floor and running into things. But he completely ignores us when the cat is around. I think he'll calm down. He just wants to play. Even without the cat he's trying to invite someone to play with him. But he boxes everything so I kind of think the cat will end up brain damage one day. I am not sure how to get the dog to calm down. I know what you're going through.

 

[AbbeyRoad]

Sorry so long...I'm a rambler...

He's a puppy he just wants a playmate.

I have a now 10 month old named Abbey and two older cats (7 & 8). The oldest cat asserted himself right away with Abbey (they both have their claws). She mostly leaves him alone. Ocassionally if she is really hyper she will try to get him to play by jumping at him, or barking, or pawing at him, but he usually swipes at her (missing, I think it is mostly a warning even when he makes contact his claws aren't usually out) and she stops. She listens to him and most of the time she just ignores him. I think when we first brought her home she viewed him as the leader of our pack. He could shoot her a look (which he seems to get a kick out of being able to do) and she would just lay down and look away. Meanwhile my husband and I couldn't yet get her to do anything!

The younger cat has never asserted himself, so as soon as she hears his feet hit the floor from jumping over the baby gate (our house is divided too, partially for the cats, partially remaining from potty training days) she chases him. He is finally getting bolder because I think he's sick of spending so much time upstairs. Plus I think he has realized that she doesn't want to hurt him. She has chased him into a corner before and once he starts swinging she backs off, he just needs to learn that he has this skill. When he does try to come to say hi to me around her, I'll tell her to "leave it" and/or put her in a sit/stay so that he can come over by me and feel safe. He really isn't scared of her anymore though, he just seems to think she is annoying, which to him she is.

My in-laws cat actually plays with Abbey, which is great. He chases her, gets chased by her, etc. She tends to want to play more than he does, but when he gets sick of it he usually just pretty much lays there and ignores her and she gets bored and walks away.

I guess my point is there are all different types of experiences and personalities. From what you've described it "sounds" like your puppy is just curious and playful. Really work on his training. "Leave it" can be a life saver. He'll probably "bug" the cat forever, most of my dogs in the past have, but they don't do it 24/7 and the cats tollerate it. In the mean time make sure you are spending one-on-one time with the cat also so that s/he is becoming socialized and will want to spend time with you. Once the novalty of the cat wears off the dog won't be after him 24/7 he just has to get used to the cat. Get him under control with commands (not restraint which will just make it that much more enticing to him) and get them used to being around eachother and the novilty should wear off. Just make sure you supervise them until you are completely comfortable with how they interract.

 

[DiverDiva]

Here are two threads with some suggestions on how to improve canine-feline relationships in the home.

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128452
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129887

Good luck. I wish I could have kitties, but DBF is horribly allergic to them. :(

 

[michtv]

Just wanted to say thank you for all your help. Ok today the coolest thing happened! I took the advice of NO CHASING. AND today Atlas was actually able to sit on the floor in front of Vincent and practice his tricks (over, sit, down, paw). He usually wouldnt even smell the treat! Every now and then he tried just stare at Vincent but we corrected him and he'd go back to doing his tricks! OMG! After a lil while Vincent was just like "Alright buddy am leaving" and he left and Atlas didnt even notice (well he went looking for him after but it was still so cool!) . I wanted to cry it was soooo cool to watch! I cant wait for the advancement! Its such a great feeling


THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!

 

[SouthernArt]

We just got our 2nd Boxer, a stray we took in (see introduction in other forum for details). He is 2-3 years old. We've only had him since Friday night, so we are all still adjusting. Duchess, our 7 year old Boxer, has been with us since she was 8 weeks. She is fantastic with our two older (11 & 12) cats, however she's been around them all her life.

Bogart, the new boy, is a different story. He is very curious of the cats. I really think he just wants to play, but he is terrifying them. He bows and barks and woos...and if they run, he chases. He is corrected (with a stern NO and a jerk on the collar) each time he does this, but it so far it hasn't done much good. He really wants to get at the cats. They go into the utility room, which is where their litterbox & food are and it is baby-gated off from the rest of the house, and he sticks his head under the gate and tries to get at them. Last night my husband was holding Sam, our oldest kitty, and Bogart lunged at her with and snapped at her with his mouth. :O (Again, he was corrected.)

I'm hoping it's just going to take time. I really think it's all a big game to him. He hasn't growled or raised his hackles the first time at the cats. However, I'm realistic and know that even in play he could seriously hurt the cats. And I *LOVE* those cats! I would never forgive myself if he hurt them. :( For the time being, he is crated when we're not home, and they are separated when we sleep. He is not unattended around them.

I hope someone can give me some reassurance that this is probably just because they are "new" to him and that he will chill out. Otherwise, we're going to have to find him another home. :(