My new dog

[Lachlan - KotU]

Hi there, I just recently adopted a 3 year old male Boxer. Took him to the
vet the other day for a quick check up and he's in fine health. He is very
well behaved in general and obeys most commands with no problems. From what
I've been told, boxers remain quite puppy-like until they are about 5 years
old.
He's apparently been brought up in a household with two cats and was fine
with them.
I have three cats here and he doesn't seem too bothered by them, although
one of the cats has not taken to him and has swiped at him a few times. He
remained very dignified when this happened, but he has had a little snap at
one of them when he had his dinner and at another one when the cat jumped
over him. I'm just a little worried cos he's such a big strong dog that he
might, deliberately or accidentally, injure one of the cats if he gets
aggressive with them. I would imagine that the more time he spends in the
house with them the less likely he will be to go for any of them. At the
moment I am separating the dog from the cats when I am out of the house for
any longer than about half an hour, just incase. Initially he whined and
wagged his stump whenever he approached one of them, but now he remains
silent with his tail (such as it is) horizontal when he's close to one of
them. He doesn't raise his hackles or growl like he sometimes does with
strange dogs when he's out tho.

Does anyone have an opinion on how I should get them to get on ok?

http://tinypic.com/r/2hntjlf/5

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=nl7hc4&s=5

[Neil]

On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:00:25 +0100, "Lachlan - KotU"

Post by Lachlan - KotU
Hi there, I just recently adopted a 3 year old male Boxer. Took him to the
vet the other day for a quick check up and he's in fine health. He is very
well behaved in general and obeys most commands with no problems. From what
I've been told, boxers remain quite puppy-like until they are about 5 years
old.
He's apparently been brought up in a household with two cats and was fine
with them.
I have three cats here and he doesn't seem too bothered by them, although
one of the cats has not taken to him and has swiped at him a few times. He
remained very dignified when this happened, but he has had a little snap at
one of them when he had his dinner and at another one when the cat jumped
over him. I'm just a little worried cos he's such a big strong dog that he
might, deliberately or accidentally, injure one of the cats if he gets
aggressive with them. I would imagine that the more time he spends in the
house with them the less likely he will be to go for any of them. At the
moment I am separating the dog from the cats when I am out of the house for
any longer than about half an hour, just incase. Initially he whined and
wagged his stump whenever he approached one of them, but now he remains
silent with his tail (such as it is) horizontal when he's close to one of
them. He doesn't raise his hackles or growl like he sometimes does with
strange dogs when he's out tho.
Does anyone have an opinion on how I should get them to get on ok?
http://tinypic.com/r/2hntjlf/5
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=nl7hc4&s=5

Hi,

Well done for adopting your dog! Was he from a rescue organisation?

Getting him to accept and be comfortable with your cats, will depend
largely on how he sees YOU in the pack hierarchy, and how you lay down
the rules boundaries and limitations for him. If I sound like I'm
quoting from Cesar Milan(The Dog Whisperer), it's because he's my hero
where dog behaviour is concerned. This is very much a psychology
thing. It's not really practical to give instructions here, but with
the right leadership it should be possible to have your dog look to
you for guidance nearly all the time. This is where what you do and
how you behave in front of him is important.

I highly recommend read any of Cesar Milan's books on dog psychology.

Best of luck with him,

Neil

(Reply via group please)

[jbm]

Cats do tend to poke their noses in where they're not wanted (curiosity
killed the cat?), and dogs tend to be a tad protective over their food (ask
any dog or dog owner). The cat's are obviously a bit on edge with a new
lodger of the canine variety, and will probably try to protect what they
feel is their own territory.

Some years ago, I stayed with friends for a few months, and although my dog
and their dog knew each other really well, the first night their dog decided
to tuck into my dog's dinner while she was still at it, and ended up down
the vets with a very, very sore nose!!! After that there was no trouble at
all; they both repected each other's bowls, and kept well clear at all
times. The resident cat learnt by watching, and decided the safest course
was a distant one, and never went near either bowl ever again. Experience
can be a great teacher!

Under these circumstances, I would boot the non feeders out at meal times,
so only cats or dog are present when their food is put down. Otherwise, if
the dog is used to cats, there shouldn't be any real trouble. It's just a
case of them working out a pecking order amongst themselves. Once everyone
accepts the fact that they have to live together, they will settle down, and
those that don't like each other will just keep a respectful distance
between themselves. Just don't force the issue, let them sort it out
themselves. As for meal times, that just may be a life time problem if they
don't sort it out themselves.

jim, Northampton