Help!
I have not come across many articles about this, and I am hoping someone has gone through this before.
My Boxer Pup, Lizzy, has been with us for 2 weeks now (she is 10 weeks old). I have 3 cats that have been with me for 2 years. I need some suggestions on how to get the pup to get along with the 3 cats.
Right now - she wags her tail (good sign), gets down on her front paws with her rear in the air (good sign - she wants to play). Then - she gets overly excited (?), frustrated (?) - not sure - but she begins to bark and then it changes to a growl. Once she barks - the cats are startled and lose interest in her. My cats have been good with her - they just look at her - once in awhile smack her with their paws (but never have their claws out - to my surprise and relief). Then - if the cats want to leave the room - Lizzy tries to chase them (not what I want at all!). I have to stop Lizzy in her tracks from this pursuit of kitty friends.
I can distract her, by having her do her "tricks" and giving her treats - but I cannot keep doing this all the time - as she tires of the "tricks" (and I do not want to give her treats for no reason - as I think they will lose that lure to be good).
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to obtain some peace and civility between Lizzy and the cats?
I have not come across many articles about this, and I am hoping someone has gone through this before.
My Boxer Pup, Lizzy, has been with us for 2 weeks now (she is 10 weeks old). I have 3 cats that have been with me for 2 years. I need some suggestions on how to get the pup to get along with the 3 cats.
Right now - she wags her tail (good sign), gets down on her front paws with her rear in the air (good sign - she wants to play). Then - she gets overly excited (?), frustrated (?) - not sure - but she begins to bark and then it changes to a growl. Once she barks - the cats are startled and lose interest in her. My cats have been good with her - they just look at her - once in awhile smack her with their paws (but never have their claws out - to my surprise and relief). Then - if the cats want to leave the room - Lizzy tries to chase them (not what I want at all!). I have to stop Lizzy in her tracks from this pursuit of kitty friends.
I can distract her, by having her do her "tricks" and giving her treats - but I cannot keep doing this all the time - as she tires of the "tricks" (and I do not want to give her treats for no reason - as I think they will lose that lure to be good).
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to obtain some peace and civility between Lizzy and the cats?
