HELP!! 9 month old boxer pup + kittens?

[Cayman's Mom]

is there any advice that anyone can give us on how to socialize a 9 month old boxer pup with little kittens?

we just rescued 2 kitties that someone dumped near our apartment sunday. and they've been in the bathroom since we found them b/c we're afraid of the pup hurting either one.

we're trying to look for someone to take them, but if worse comes to worse and we need to keep them... we're looking for some advice.

we live in a 1 bedroom apartment - does anyone have any idea whether it's even possible in a small apartment to have 2 cats and 1 dog????

EDIT: if anyone is in the central Jersey area and would like to adopt two ADORABLE black and white kittens (both girls) please PM me. (mods, please edit this if it isn't allowed... and sorry in advance!).

 

[gmacleod]

Absolutely it's possible to have both cats and dogs co-existing happily. I have three cats myself, and they do pretty well living with dogs

Generally speaking, the trick to cats and dogs getting along is to adopt the attitude that the cat is always right (even if it isn't LOL) - that's because (a) the cat is the one that can really get hurt, and (b) cats will only get along with dogs if they don't feel threatened - which in effect means the interaction needs to be pretty much on the cat's terms.

I think it's fine if you bring your kittens out of seclusion and introduce them to your dogs. They're just babies (how old?), so probably won't be all that worried by the dogs. It would be helpful if you crate or otherwise restrain the dogs, and let the kittens make the running. By all means let the dogs sniff the kittens, but call them away after a little while or if the kittens appear distressed - and praise the dogs lavishly for complying. After a while you should be able to have all animals loose together, but anytime your dog is bothering the cat (which includes the cat just being frightened or upset at the dog's proximity), call the dog away, reward it, and give it something else to do. Be careful about letting the dog play too hard with the kitten, even if the kittne initiates the play. The last thing you want is the dog to see the kitten as a new toy LOL.

But just keep things as calm as possible, giving the dog something else to do if it looks to be getting too interested or carried away with the game. In time you should have a dog that is largely uninterested by the cat (at least as a prey item) and kittens who are relaxed and happy in the presence of the dog. I wouldn't leave them unattended for quite a while - until you're sure the kittens are comfortable, and the dogs unlikely to bother them.

That's a technique that has worked very well for me with several different cats and dogs over the years, so could be worth trying. Good luck

 

[Cayman's Mom]

thanks for the reply. our problem now with the pup is that he's at the age where he is REFUSING to listen - with or without disruptions. so i'm not even sure we could call him away from the kitten if he were to get all excited when he sees her... aside from the general space issue (we live in a approx 800sq foot apt)...

we will keep searching for homes from the kittens - we're really afraid that cayman will do something to hurt them without even realizing it :(

 

[gmacleod]

Kittens aside, if your puppy is refusing to listen to you and won't come when called, you should try putting him on a leash (yes, even indoors ). That way you can just reel him in and praise once he gets there.

 

[Cayman's Mom]

Kittens aside, if your puppy is refusing to listen to you and won't come when called, you should try putting him on a leash (yes, even indoors ). That way you can just reel him in and praise once he gets there.

yes, we go through the walking steps when he gets out of hand. the hard part is catching him or luring him to come to us when we have the leash in hand now... .

the kitten is just too small for such a rambunctious pup right now. we tried to let them meet again last night, and he almost crushed her with his paws :(

 

[snowicki]

We were in the same situation with a kitten that we rescued. We bought a cheap baby gate and cut a large enough section out of the bottom so the kitten could get in when it needed 'security' and out when it was feeling bold. Kittens are alot smarter than some think...they can fit in the smallest of spaces in order to avoid a pup, this I have seen. Eventually they will come to enjoy the playing and your pup will learn it's boundries with them soon. Also, please make sure that the toilet seat is always down, I have heard of kittens drowning because they couldn't get back out. Good Luck!!