[Jenna09]

Hi Everyone

So my boyfriend has moved into my house and he has brought along his 2 dogs Gibson and Pearl.

Pearl is an 8 1/2 month old boxer who has never seen a cat before moving into my house. My cat is a very dog friendly and usually puts the dogs in their place at the first meeting and then everything is good...however Pearl is another story.

My cat is 12 years old and declawed so he is basically defenceless especially against a 50lb zoned in boxer puppy!

How can we get her to stop fixating on the cat and trying to attack him? And if/when she becomes fixated how can we get her out of it she just becomes out of control when she gets in this "attack" mode. She hasnt actually bit the cat she is just pouncing at him and snaps at him and will chase him if he runs. She barks and her tail is wagging?!?!

We have tried "leave it", water bottle squirts, cookie, and now I am just picking her up and moving her to another room. I spanked her the first time it happened because she was after his tail.

And another side note, not sure if it is relevant or not, but she seems to only be "attacking" in the evening after she has eaten her dinner. She has even let him walk right by her in the day time without a second glance.

I am so confused and dont know what to do.

Thanks
Jenna

PS. We declawed the cat on the recommendation of our old vet and we will never do that again because he has had to have corrective surgery because of nerve damage. So please do not hate on us because of that we recognize the mistake and still regret the decision to have it done.

 

[TooneyDogs]

You show Pearl that the cat is yours, not hers by getting between her and the cat. Make Pearl back up...a step or two is fine. That tells you that she got the message to back off. You have to be consistent with this....the cat is yours... always....not just sometimes.

 

[agility collie mom]

Keep your boxer puppy on a leash attached to you to teach the "leave it" command in reference to the cat. Have some really wonderful treats with you for a reward when she does leave the cat. Never leave her and the cat alone. She may not mean to but she could accidentally hurt your cat with rough play. You should also have a safe haven for the cats. A place gated off that only the cats have access to.

 

[Elana55]

I must reiterate as noted above to NEVER EVER allow the dog and the cat to be alone together. This means now or any time in the future. Years.

Dog needs to be crate trained so when you cannot watch them, the cat is safe. Play can (and will) escalate into prey drive and the dog WILL kill the cat, even if the cat HAD claws.

Leash the dog and redirect her when she starts to fixate on the cat. Show her there are more appropriate toys. Protect the cat no matter what. Get between the dog and the cat as noted and step into the dog's space (and repeat this as often as you need to).

Have a safe escape for the cat. If the dog can breach a baby gate, use what ever you need to (chain latches on the door.. two.. so there is enough space for the cat to get thru but the dog cannot etc.).

 

[Jenna09]

Thanks everyone.

The dogs are crated when we are not here so she is never unsupervised with the cat.

We will attempt some of these other techniques as I am sure they will help.

She is a dog of very little brain lol so it might take more time with her and we realize we can never leave her alone with him.

He has majority of the house as a safe zone that is blocked off for him so he can escape easily.

Thanks
Jenna

 

[Mdawn]

You show Pearl that the cat is yours, not hers by getting between her and the cat. Make Pearl back up...a step or two is fine. That tells you that she got the message to back off. You have to be consistent with this....the cat is yours... always....not just sometimes.

I really like that suggestion.