HELP! NEW DOG CHASING OUR CAT! - Page 3

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

One thing I neglected to mention in my previous post--does Teddy show high prey instinct with other animals? If so, he is more likely to continue to want to be aggressive with your cat. If he doesn't pay much attention to other, especially small animals, he probably could be trained to leave the cat alone. It's hard to tell with a new animal straight from rescue since their whole lives have just been turned upside down and their ultimate personality may not be readily visible.

My dog, who still chases our cat, has a very high prey drive. We live in the country with many wild animals constantly in her territory, so she smells them all the time, even if nothing is visible. She constantly is on the lookout for something. Normally she will not bother a wild animal, until it runs. That's her signal to chase. And that's exactly what she does with the cat. He can walk right under her nose most times and she doesn't even notice. But if he runs or gets his "cat crazies", she's after him.

As was already previously stated, since Teddy comes from a breed that was bred to hunt small animals, you will definitely have to watch him and train him well if you decide to keep both him and your cat. Again, best of luck--it's a tough decision.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Well, we've discussed what happens next ...... doesn't seem to be likely we'll take him back to the shelter. The other options are serious (expensive) training, or, my preference, re-homing him to a home that doesn't have cats. Stay tuned.

SXMGirl · ‎07-07-2010

@Tinkrbl44, if you can hang in there, it does get better. I think it was close to a year (maybe 8 or 9 months) before Happy stopped "stalking" Cassie. No idea what changed, but one day it was just over. She still will give a chase once in a while, but the incessant staring has long been over.

Also, most cats will just leave the room and find a hiding/safe place. My cats do that anyway. Since I am home and can keep an eye on things, it stopped bothering me after a while. I did speak with a friend who is a dog training specialist, but I expected things to work out on their own and they did.

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
Well, we've discussed what happens next ...... doesn't seem to be likely we'll take him back to the shelter. The other options are serious (expensive) training, or, my preference, re-homing him to a home that doesn't have cats. Stay tuned.

@Tinkrbl44 I hope you have someone in mind to rehome him with. I answered this post previously about my experience with keeping the dog that made my cats miserable. I did try to rehome him myself and couldn't find anyone to take him. I didn't ask very many people though, just my sister and one of my Vets. I do wish very much that I had returned him to the Rescue group. I understand why you don't want to return him to the shelter, though, but hope if you aren't able to find someone to take him that you'll reconsider.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

CamilleP · ‎03-09-2010

Tinkrbl44, if you are going to re-home your dog, in the meantime, use some management tools to minimize the risk and stress to your cat. Put some baby gates up to keep your dog contained, so that he can't chase or even have access to the cat when you aren't there. If you have to resort to crating the dog for a couple hours at a time, do so, to reduce the stress on your cat. You can also try demonstrating your affection and care for your cat in front of the dog, so that he knows that this particular cat is NOT a prey animal for him to hunt, it might work to reduce the dog's aggression level. If you can re-home quickly, then great, but you don't have to pay for a very expensive trainer to come in, a few simple tricks on your own can make life easier for everyone until you can re-home the dog.

On that issue, you might want to consider the adoption contract you signed when you adopted the dog. Does that contract allow you to re-home on your own, or are you legally bound to return the dog to the shelter? That might mean a change to your plans.

MsLomo · ‎03-09-2010

I am curious why it would not be good to return Teddy to the shelter/rescue group where he can be adopted by another (no cat or other small animal) household (?)

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@MsLomo wrote:
I am curious why it would not be good to return Teddy to the shelter/rescue group where he can be adopted by another (no cat or other small animal) household (?)

@MsLomo

I would LOVE to take him back to the shelter, it's my SO that doesn't want to take him back.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

Understandably you're still grieving over the loss of your dear Skippy and emotion most likely caused your impulse to adopt again rather than taking your time and researching. Personally, if I had a cat at home, I would never adopt a dog unless I knew for sure they got along with cats. That would be my first consideration.

I don't think it's fair to Bogey at all and possibly very dangerous, so I agree with everyone here that you should re-home Teddy. I know that's difficult to do, but in the long run, it will be best for both animals and their needs should come first before you or your SO's emotional attachment to Teddy.

CamilleP · ‎03-09-2010

This is a sad situation indeed. If this new dog kills your cat, can you ever forgive your SO for making you keep the dog? A hard situation requires some hard questions, I'm afraid. Ask your SO if they can forgive themselves if something happened to your cat, or if they are willing to be the cat's bodyguard 24/7 until you are able re-home the dog? If their answer is "no", then take the dog back to the shelter and make sure they understand you are returning him because he is trying to kill your cat, and he should NOT go to a home with other pets. The shelter did not do their basic due diligence in placing this dog, as I am quite sure you would not have adopted him had he been labeled as cat-aggressive, so it's not your fault, it's the fault of the shelter staff who did not properly evaluate the dog's temperament. I'm very sorry you are stuck in such an uncomfortable situation, and hope you can get it resolved very soon and in you and your cat's favor!

MsLomo · ‎03-09-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@MsLomo wrote:
I am curious why it would not be good to return Teddy to the shelter/rescue group where he can be adopted by another (no cat or other small animal) household (?)
@MsLomo

I would LOVE to take him back to the shelter, it's my SO that doesn't want to take him back.

@Tinkrbl44, oh noooo ... a complication you do not need at this time! I hope you can re-home Teddy ASAP! How about calling the shelter/rescue group to tell them what's going on ... maybe they've got someone who can take him now. (I assume the SO would be OK with re-homing if you find the household or the shelter/rescue group arranges it?) Good luck!

P.S. I agree with everyone here who is stressing the danger and stress to Bogey (as well as your own stress)!