Hello everyone! I got my 8 week old maremma/GSD mix pup yesterday evening. So keep in mind he's very very new to the house.
I've had dogs all my life, and my last GSD passed in january. My cat, Wanda, is 3 years old and was raised with the GSD and a bichon shihtzu. She's never really cared about either of them and has cohabited peacefully.
However, this new pup seems to terrify her. He hasn't approached her, as he seems scared too. But whenever she's within 10 feet of him, she starts growling and hissing. If he gets to close she does a sort of 'fake out' run at him, which terrifies the pup even more. I don't need them to be buddies or to snuggle each other, and I don't expect that. But I would like some reassurance and some tips that eventually she'll get used to him. I thought she'd be fine considering she's been around dogs her entire life, even before I got her.
I'm thinking her fear is two things. One, she's never interacted with a puppy before, only calmer, adult dogs that don't really have any interest in her. Two, he's a change. We haven't gotten a new pet since she'd arrived. I think she's also frustrated because she's usually sleeping on my bed at night, but with the pups crate right beside it for the time being, she's had to sleep elsewhere this passed night.
My cat is my baby, but so is this puppy. I really need her to feel comfortable. What can I do?
I've had dogs all my life, and my last GSD passed in january. My cat, Wanda, is 3 years old and was raised with the GSD and a bichon shihtzu. She's never really cared about either of them and has cohabited peacefully.
However, this new pup seems to terrify her. He hasn't approached her, as he seems scared too. But whenever she's within 10 feet of him, she starts growling and hissing. If he gets to close she does a sort of 'fake out' run at him, which terrifies the pup even more. I don't need them to be buddies or to snuggle each other, and I don't expect that. But I would like some reassurance and some tips that eventually she'll get used to him. I thought she'd be fine considering she's been around dogs her entire life, even before I got her.
I'm thinking her fear is two things. One, she's never interacted with a puppy before, only calmer, adult dogs that don't really have any interest in her. Two, he's a change. We haven't gotten a new pet since she'd arrived. I think she's also frustrated because she's usually sleeping on my bed at night, but with the pups crate right beside it for the time being, she's had to sleep elsewhere this passed night.
My cat is my baby, but so is this puppy. I really need her to feel comfortable. What can I do?