socializing Puppy with cats

syzygycat

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Ive already gotten great advice here. Puppy is now 18wks old/10lbs. Cats show no aggression towards the puppy (that has been much easier than getting them used to a new cat).
When the puppy is calm the cats come around, puppy isn't as interested in them than she is any other object in the house. But when the puppy in energetic, which is more often than not when she's awake, she barks and runs at fast moving objects, That includes a cat jumping onto the couch at thier normal relaxed speed. Puppy skitters towards them to investigate,they jump away to a higher surface puppy can't barks, cats spook and run out of the room, don't cone back for hours.

TLDR:
Those who raised small breed dogs in a home with cats, at what age were the finally comfortable with each other unsuperviHOW?
Do I wait til she responds to "leave it" 100% of the time?
Just jerk her back with the leash til she learns chasing a cat will get her restrained?
Something else?
Is their any point trying to get the cats to not run from the puppy, if so how?
 

Kris107

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I think you just have to keep working on boundaries and house rules. A puppy is still a puppy until well over a year - some say two years. And some breeds are known to be a little more stubborn with training. It'll just have to be something you are consistent about. Just remember to not reward the dog with attention by being naughty about the cats. The cats will learn more about the dog with time - and what I mean, is whether the dog will hurt them, how the dog plays, how to interact, etc. Also, make sure there are ALWAYS places the cats can get to that the dog can't - up high sounds like it works. They should always have a safe escape place.
 

Draco

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What kind of dog is he? Some dogs are more prey-driven than others and would be harder to train them to leave the cat alone.
For the cats, make sure they have plenty of escape routes and high places to go. A high shelf, tall cat trees, anywhere to get far away from the ground and the dog in a pinch. let the cats run, don't restrain them or force them in the same room with the puppy.

As for letting them roam unsupervised, I'd say not until you are confident the pupper will obey the "leave it" command and they socialize better. Might take months, a year, or longer.
I think if the puppy barks or attempts to chase after the cat, pick him up immediately and put him in another smaller room as a time out for a few minutes, rather than yanking back on the leash. I don't think that would teach him anything, but putting him in another room might make him realize it's not a good thing to do and he'd only be removed from good things.

Do not rush things, train and take things slow. Rushing isn't going to help.
 

iPappy

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At 18 weeks, I would use whatever word you're using ("leave it", etc.) and use the leash to re-direct. Does your puppy have a favorite toy or game?
I don't introduce corrections until older than 18 weeks, and when they have about an 80% success rate in doing what I ask. That shows me they have a good understanding of what I'm asking. Even then, a correction isn't necessarily a jerk on the leash. It can be the removal of them from the room (time out), a sharp verbal "eht!!" or something else as an interrupter. The leash is there are a way to reel them in, but if you depend on the leash most dogs will learn that when the leash is on, they behave and when the leash is off, they don't have to. (This is why so many people lose their dogs on walks...when the dogs slip the collar, they realize they're off leash and take off.)
 

talkinboutmykitty

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The 1st thing I would teach your puppy is to 'leave it'. Teach it to her using treats or anything else she likes. Tell her to leave it (in this case, your cat), and reward with a high-value treat. She will learn that leaving your cats alone equals a delicious reward. I would keep a baggie full of treats in your pocket at all times, or you can also get a treat pouch that goes around your waist. At first, teach leave it while holding her collar. Then, once she gets better over time, do not hold her collar and tell her to leave it. Once she leaves your cat on her own, give lots of praise which dogs love, and treats as well. However, just like iPappy iPappy said, if your pup does not do as you say, you must correct. No correcting equals the dog thinks that she is doing nothing wrong. A jerk on the leash usually does not work, I've found, at least not as much as putting her to bed does 🙂 This might sound a bit harsh, but it's the best way to teach a dog to leave something alone. Also, try leave it with multiple things so that your dog knows that you don't only want her to leave the cats alone, but also other things if that makes sense. I suggest watching some puppy-training videos on YouTube🙂
 

fionasmom

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There is a lot of great advice here and all that I am going to second is that I always used a command and a time out. If you have started to use "leave it", keep using that so that the puppy understands and is not confused by alternating commands. I used "kitty no no" exclusively and it worked. Time outs seem to connect to the transgression in the minds of most dogs that I have had.

What breed is the puppy? I have had GSDs, but a couple of terriers including a Jack Russell with a very high prey drive and she learned never to approach a cat.
 

neely

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Those who raised small breed dogs in a home with cats, at what age were the finally comfortable with each other unsuperviHOW?
Is their any point trying to get the cats to not run from the puppy, if so how?
Although we've never had a small breed dog we have had medium to larger breeds with our cats. There is no textbook age for leaving them alone unsupervised. Every case is different depending on the individual cat(s) and dog. However, I can tell you it doesn't happen overnight but rather it takes time, patience and being consistent.

I don't think you can prevent the cats running from the puppy but you can try to get them adjusted to the puppy being in the house. Have you considered going to puppy training classes? I'm a big believer in them as long as it's the right instructor and not necessarily someone at a pet store. You can also have a trainer come into your home to observe the dynamics between your puppy and the cats.

Several members have asked what breed your puppy is, would you mind telling us?
 
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RTR

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no matter what training you engae in remember: Older Cats Hate Change!
 
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syzygycat

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The 1st thing I would teach your puppy is to 'leave it'. Teach it to her using treats or anything else she likes. Tell her to leave it (in this case, your cat), and reward with a high-value treat. She will learn that leaving your cats alone equals a delicious reward. I would keep a baggie full of treats in your pocket at all times, or you can also get a treat pouch that goes around your waist. At first, teach leave it while holding her collar. Then, once she gets better over time, do not hold her collar and tell her to leave it. Once she leaves your cat on her own, give lots of praise which dogs love, and treats as well. However, just like iPappy iPappy said, if your pup does not do as you say, you must correct. No correcting equals the dog thinks that she is doing nothing wrong. A jerk on the leash usually does not work, I've found, at least not as much as putting her to bed does 🙂 This might sound a bit harsh, but it's the best way to teach a dog to leave something alone. Also, try leave it with multiple things so that your dog knows that you don't only want her to leave the cats alone, but also other things if that makes sense. I suggest watching some puppy-training videos on YouTube🙂
There is a lot of great advice here and all that I am going to second is that I always used a command and a time out. If you have started to use "leave it", keep using that so that the puppy understands and is not confused by alternating commands. I used "kitty no no" exclusively and it worked. Time outs seem to connect to the transgression in the minds of most dogs that I have had.

What breed is the puppy? I have had GSDs, but a couple of terriers including a Jack Russell with a very high prey drive and she learned never to approach a cat.
Puppy is a boston terrier. Not very food motivated. Thier is no food to distract her from an opportunity to chase or be chased. Nor out outside. But I've doubled down on keeping her attached to me and correcting/distracting.
"Leave it" only works for food and only when she knows I have treat on me.
Ive been rewarding her with not barking, not chasing. Her "pen" is straightened to a 16' divider giving her hold of the 1st
 
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syzygycat

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The 1st thing I would teach your puppy is to 'leave it'. Teach it to her using treats or anything else she likes. Tell her to leave it (in this case, your cat), and reward with a high-value treat. She will learn that leaving your cats alone equals a delicious reward. I would keep a baggie full of treats in your pocket at all times, or you can also get a treat pouch that goes around your waist. At first, teach leave it while holding her collar. Then, once she gets better over time, do not hold her collar and tell her to leave it. Once she leaves your cat on her own, give lots of praise which dogs love, and treats as well. However, just like iPappy iPappy said, if your pup does not do as you say, you must correct. No correcting equals the dog thinks that she is doing nothing wrong. A jerk on the leash usually does not work, I've found, at least not as much as putting her to bed does 🙂 This might sound a bit harsh, but it's the best way to teach a dog to leave something alone. Also, try leave it with multiple things so that your dog knows that you don't only want her to leave the cats alone, but also other things if that makes sense. I suggest watching some puppy-training videos on YouTube🙂
There is a lot of great advice here and all that I am going to second is that I always used a command and a time out. If you have started to use "leave it", keep using that so that the puppy understands and is not confused by alternating commands. I used "kitty no no" exclusively and it worked. Time outs seem to connect to the transgression in the minds of most dogs that I have had.



What breed is the puppy? I have had GSDs, but a couple of terriers including a Jack Russell with a very high prey drive and she learned never to approach a cat.


Puppy is a boston terrier. Not very food motivated. Thier is no food to distract her from an opportunity to chase or be chased. Nor out outside. But I've doubled down on keeping her attached to me and correcting/distracting.

"Leave it" only works for food and only when she knows I have treat on me.

'Look at me" works, so I brake her concentration when she focus on thecars, and throw a toy. If she runs at them, her leash is tethered to me so in 18ft she yanks herself onto her butt.

Ive been rewarding her with not barking, not chasing. Her "pen" is straightened to a 16' divider giving her half of the 1st and the stairs that go to the front door. If she chases a few times, the divider gets turned back into an octagon. Sort of a time out.

Most of the interactions are not agressive i keep her close to me to make sure she stays stays at comfortable distance, let the cats come closer only of thier terms.

After 3 weeks of steadfast disciplined interaction control. One of my cats hoped into her area, down the stairs , and hopped the baby gate to the basement.

My puppy walked after the cat at a safe distance, no lunging or chasing, so I decided to follow without interfering. She was still calm so I opened the baby gate and she was doing the cutest thing...
No toys, no commands, no treats, no holding her leash:

A month ago if she saw a cat she would bark her head off run after, then tackle and lick them without mercy and nonstop.

After 90sec of this she did gallop towards the kitty (last srcond is of video is half speed) but that is not her chase speed runThis is a huge success , she looked at me a few times waiting for me to do something. If a throw a toy or saidc "come" kitty would have been sought at all.


(Ps it's very late, forgive the typos)
 

fionasmom

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Okay, so she is not one of the ten most vicious dog breeds in existence and sounds very trainable if you keep at it. The kitty in the video would not be sitting there if there was real danger and the puppy really looks like she did not know how to play nicely but is learning.
 

iPappy

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For not even being 5 months old yet, this is tremendous progress! Looking at you is a great sign, it shows she's thinking and is looking to you for more information. Whatever it is you're doing is working. It's hard to remember that they're still puppies and will do puppy things, and it takes time for their attention spans to grow.
 

RTR

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Years back I raised and trained German Shepherds! Great family dogs! Very protective of their pack (family members, incluing animals they are raised with)! They have strong prey drives as do Boston Terriers! The Bostons are bred to be ratter's and their instinct is to chase! That being said, all my dogs began training as young as six weks! Sit, Down, come, amd stay were the first basic commands! The lessons are kept short maybe 8=10 repititions and (That's It)!! Always positve and at first you will physically make them sit, or down and they get rewarded with a small treat with each command, and lots of praise each command! The treats can stop when they "Fully" know their command, but If you push the puppy more than that, they get to dislike the lessons! Just like children when lessons are too long! Always positive praise, and make a big fuss petting, and verbally with each command even when you physically make them sit or down! Now These lessons must be private! No human, or animal distractions! (None!) Also remeber each dog like humans has different intelligence and patience levels! Some learn quicker then others! "Paitence and Praise" Also remember, like kids,they will misbehave as puppies from time to time! Correct them by physically making them sit or down etc. ( and praise and treat) Best of Luck!

When your puppy learns down and stay (very well) you can make a lesson in front of your cats! Remember Terriers are bred to chase small critters! Don't think your puppy will get used to the cats and not chase untill it learns the simple basic commands!
 
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