My 4mth Cockapoo And 2 Cats?
September 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We have two cats that we have had for years. They were both inside outside cats, who slept in the house most nights. We brought bella home about two months ago and the cats hate her. I figured that after a few weeks they would all get used to each other, with the cats teaching her her place. They have moved outside, i was worried about food and had to put their water and food outside for them as they never come in anymore. As soon as the cats see her they take off running and then of course she wants to chase them. I tell her “no cats” in a firm voice, but she still jumps around and barks when she see them at the slider. One of our cats is getting more courageous and will come in the house if bella is crated but not very often. Ive never had cats not school a dog before especially if they were here first. I miss my kitties, i know constant training and reminders should teach bella to leave them alone but what about the cats? ITs been two months!
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My friend has 2 puppies (about 6 months now) and 2 cats. She had the cats before her and her boyfriend got the puppies. One of the cats tolerates the dogs (and even plays with them sometimes(. The other cat doesn’t like the dogs at all.
One thing that she does is she has a couple baby gates that block off some rooms to the house. Cats are able to jump over them but the dogs can not. This allows the cats a couple areas in the house that they can have and be dog free. Do you cats have to have access to outside or could you just keep them inside and maybe babygate some rooms so they have a safe place from the dogs? This will allow the cats to not be chased all the time but it will also tell the cats “you can’t completely avoid the dog and have to learn to get along or put up with her.
Honestly, I think both the cats and the dog will get over it with time. It may seem like its been such a long 2 months, but remember 2 months is a small amount of time when you will (hopefully) have these animals for much much longer. With time they will get used to each other. Bella will also calm down when she is out of her puppy stage therefore not frightening the cats so much.
My puppy is a cockapoo as well (7 months) and tries to chase my friend’s cats all the time when we are over there and he is playing with her puppies. He really just wants to play with them (after all, he’s a puppy!) He gets so excited and his little tail wags so fast. I’m sure it is the same thing with your puppy but she should calm down once she is older and also used to the cats more.
Good luck
Have you started obedience training yet? Your dog needs the “leave it” command. I also have a dog and 2 cats. It took a lot of work but finally all we have to say is leave it and he stops chasing the cats. Here is a web site below that has a lot of good tips