help with cat issue

daisy'smom · 03-04-2009, 04:57 PM

Hi everyone,
I just got my boxer Daisy last Saturday. I looked on line at dogs up for adoption and found Daisy. I just fell in love with her face!! I rushed down to Pets Mart where the rescue group had her and adopted her as soon as I saw her. She is an adorable 13 month old female and is almost the perfect dog. Her issue...She hates my 3 cats and would kill them I fear if she could get them. I thought I would bring her home and she would have a few adjustment issues with the cats like my other dog did and my "grand dog" did when he stayed with me for a while, but they would work it out. Not so. I realize I made mistakes in introducing them. She immediately started fixating on one of the cats and then bolted after her in a very aggressive manner. I read on line and one site said keep her in a crate and let her get used to the cats. I did that and she actually broke the door of the crate to get to the cat. I was able to grab her and restrain her thankfully. now I am keeping them totally apart in different rooms for now. My cats are terrified and really stressed out and I don't know what to do. I have so fallen in love with my Daisy girl and I do not want to have to take her back.

When she starts "fixating" on the cats I can't distract her. Please any help would be appreciated.

KeeperBoy · 03-04-2009, 05:16 PM

Keepers isn't a cat man either. When we are at my mom's (she has two cats) we confine the cats. We will let out the older more subdued one and work on "leave it" with really high value treats (peanut butter, cheese, hotdogs). I wouldn't try this at first without a professional trainer.

bruinsBoxers · 03-05-2009, 07:35 AM

It takes a dog a few weeks ( or a month ) to get used to their new home .
Right now she is confused and does not know the routine and rules of her new home . It will take time to teach them to her .

Maybe get a gate and use it to keep daisy out of the cats favorite room , make that room a safe place for the cats . Let them go about their normal business .

As far as Daisy i would start with a NILF( nothing in life is free , just google it and you will find lost of tips ) training routine .This will help her to see you as the leader in the house . She will learn to respect your rules . It will not be overnight but with consistant training she will learn . You have no ides what she was taught in her previous home , it may have been no training or manners at all .

When you are not home I would crate Daisy and keep the cats in a closed door room so they do not have the chance to interact unsupervised . While home I would try and keep Daisy on a leash . That way you will have better control of her if she happens to get fixated on the cats .

You need to find something that she sees as a higher value than the cats . If you are not more interesting than the cats she will not pay attention to you . try different treats . Most dogs will focus if people food is used better than dog biscuits .

And do not forget that a dog can sense your anxiety and it will in turn make then more anxious . So try to keep calm and just be consistant with your training .

daisy'smom · 03-05-2009, 07:38 PM

Thank you for your advice. Last night was a nightmare. I had a dog trainer in for a consult. She had me get one of my cats and let Daisy lunge at him and she used a shock collar. It was just awful!!! My cat is totally traumatized as well as I am. I feel like I am back to square one or worse. I did make a safe place for the cats. I will look up that web site and see what I can do. I just want this to work out.

Ron · 03-05-2009, 08:45 PM

the trainer had a shock collar on your dog? I'm no expert, but that doesn't sound like a good training technique and i sure as hell wouldn't want my dog wearing one

daisy'smom · 03-05-2009, 09:01 PM

I was horrified with what that trainer did. I did not feel right in my gut when she got here but did not go with my feelings and thought that she knew what she was talking about. It will never happen again. I was desperate for help and I should have never let that happen. I feel so guilty and bad.

Ron · 03-05-2009, 09:17 PM

yeah a new trainer/method is a good idea.

Don't let this little set back discourage you though...

KeeperBoy · 03-06-2009, 07:54 AM

DO NOT use a training method that you aren't comfortable with. I will never shock my dogs. The only time I think that it is really even appropriate is with field dogs, when they are too far away for any other correction.

There are so many trainers out there with so many methods. Keepers was a mess when we got him, he was terrified of everything, barking and lunging, it was a nightmare. We found a trainer who uses all positive reinforcement and she has saved him, he now does agility runs with 50 other dogs in the building. If you are willing to find the right trainer for you and Daisy than I bet you can work something out.

daisy'smom · 03-06-2009, 08:26 AM

I am going to call other trainers today and see what is available in my area. Trust me if a trainer does anything besides positive reinforcement they will be out. The trainer who shocked Daisy really made her prey instinct worse by having me hold the cat for daisy to go after not to mention my poor cat! I sure hope we can work these cat issues out.

KeeperBoy · 03-06-2009, 08:30 AM

Our trainer is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, did you try their search? We actually found our trainer through a local dog training club, but maybe the local ASPCA/Humane Society has a list of trainers also.

http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx