She Won't Leave The Kitties Alone

[punchinella]

Punchie just does not understand (or understands, but does not care) that kitty cats are off limits for chasing, biting, and general harrassment. She doesn't really mean to hurt them, just playing like puppies do - which is a bit rough for cats. We have four cats (ages 6-8 years). Three of them still have nothing to do with the new addition. One of them was a street kitty before we took her in, and she's the only one who will tolerate Punchinella. (even she has her limits though, and is prone to swatting, hissing, and biting back on occassion). We tell her "no". We hold the back of neck, gently but firmly, to get her to submit, we give her other toys. Nothing seems to work! Anytime she spots a cat, she has to give chase. Anybody had to deal with this? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[SandyHG55654]

I don't have cat's so I really can't relate. But... You might just need to get a new puppy for your new puppy

 

[punchinella]

Oooh, one puppy at a time!

 

[SandyHG55654]

Oooh, one puppy at a time!

Mine are 4 months apart, my theory was get it all done at once and replace everything they ruin once too! It's working like a charm, they're trashing the place!

 

[jmz1978]

I have two cats, both age 4. I was having the same problem, and kept them constantly seperated. However, I soon realized that I couldn't keep them seperate forever, and I started having supervised "together time". I would hold Charlie, and pet the cats at the same time. I would speak in a calm voice, and make sure she stayed calm too. It definitly helped. Now, I'm nor saying they're perfect together now, but it's much better. Charlie will still chase them every once in awhile, but I let them work it out. She's learning that getting a cat claw in the face is not fun.

 

[gmacleod]

We tell her "no". We hold the back of neck, gently but firmly, to get her to submit, we give her other toys. Nothing seems to work!

Put the puppy on a leash until she can learn to behave. Of course she wants to chase - but you need to set the rules and enforce them. Yelling won't work, holding the poor beast down to make her "submit" hasn't a snowball's chance of doing any good (how is bullying a puppy into "submission" supposed to affect her prey drive, or teach her how to behave around cats?).

Every time she gets to chase, she'll just get more excited. That's natural enough - but it's not remotely helpful if you want your cats to live in any semblance of peace. So prevent the chasing until the pup can learn better behaviour. That means a leash.

 

[Louise501]

It has taken a good 5 months for my cats to be comfortable with Ruby, Alfie is fine now and will rub his chin along Rubys legs, walks underneath her and rolls in front of her but my other male Milo still doesn't like her at all, he will hiss, spit and swipe, along with my female. I have provided lots of high surfaces for them to jump to. Ruby doesn't chase Alfie anymore, just Milo, probably because he still runs from her. It does take time, I think that the change here has come with the cats being more accepting, because once Ruby's said 'hello' and sniffed them, she isn't that interested

 

[bayleighmom]

Our cat is 14 and doesn't put up with much from Bayleigh. Bayleigh will try to chase her and usually ends up getting swatted with a kitty paw! I used to constantly break them up. Then I noticed one day, Bayleigh walked by the cat, minding her own business and the cat reached out and playfully grabbed at her. I usually supervise them but Bayleigh has finally learned that the paws with the claws hurt!

 

[Zoeys_Mom]

Zoey also loves to chase my cat Layne, and for a while I was totally discouraging it by calling her or saying no (luckily that was enough for her to stop)... but then one day I was watching Layne and he walked into the living room right up to Zoey and teased her then did the 'spaz kitty' moves (twitchy back, running like a mad man through the house)... he enticed her to chase him! So I just keep an eye on them now. If someone gets out of hans I'll seperate them or call one off (my cat listens like a dog!). Otherwise, they usually get along pretty good.
I'm still convinced that Layne sits outside her crate during the day and teases her though! Layne:"WOW... look at that.. oh wait you can't see out the window!" I can just picture it!

 

[lucy the pup]

all it takes is time we had 3 cats before we got our lucy and now 2 1/2 years later they all get along get, it was rough at first however now all is well.

p.s lucy still likes to give chase ever once and a while, the cats love it though