Cats and dogs?

[Spudlet]

Parents are now thinking about getting a cat, with the view to having a dog again in a few years time when they are at home a bit more. However, Henry is not the most cat friendly dog I don't think he'd harm one, but he certainly enjoys a good chase

I suspect what he really needs is to meet a cat with an attitude that would beat the hell out of him, but in the absence of that, has anyone had any joy in canine attitude adjustment???

 

[Brownmare]

You will need to be persistent but I suggest introducing them with henry on a short lead and the cat relaxed on a lap being stroked. Reward the second he gets bored and looks away then keeping a trailing lead on him when in the house with the cat so you can stand on it to stop him in his tracks plus lots of treats and his favourite squeaky toy to distract him. You could also use your clicker to reward each time he looks away from the cat etc etc

You could also suggest your parents get a large tomcat who may be more prepared to stand his ground. They usually only need one scratched nose to learn the score

 

[CAYLA]

Yep has sucessfully introduced and made them tolerate one another and even love one another for life
Has he seen one face to face in a room? or just outside? if outside then it's very natural for him to show interest and chase, indoors it can be an entirely different scenario, and to be honest spaneils are possibly the dogs that have shown least interest in my house even when they have not lived with them and have been the easiest to work with even if thye show slight interest wich is rare.
But yeah its workable so dont worry yourself.

 

[Spudlet]

Brownmare, I like your thinking, I do have a contact with a rather gigantic cat that would probably eat Henry for breakfast

Cayla, he has only met them outdoors, so maybe he would be ok indoors with a bit of care and attention then

I have told mum she should get a cat and not hold off for the sake of the few weekends I am there, but she wants to know it will be ok first If they do get one I will post pics

 

[overthejumps]

I was so lucky with our dog, we gave a cat a home when our neighbour emigrated and they took to each other like they were old friends, I was gobsmacked.

 

[showjumpinglover]

It was the other way round with us, our cat wasn't a big fan of big dogs. So when we brought Storm home that first day she ran off, she hid, but then she swiped him one to say she was the boss. Storm knew within half hour of his arrival where he stood with regards to the cats

 

[Millyard Rejects]

I had a greyhound that would curl up with the family cat but wouldnt allow the neighbors cat into the garden!
And currently have 5 dogs that live with 3 cats- the cats rule the place and even the youngest a 6 week old kitten is often found jumping onto a passing dog and hanging onto its neck with teeth and claws!!!
But even the dog that came to me from a farm where she had been seen to chase anything will happily sleep in the same bed as any of the cats and has never chased them!
The rules are the same for all the dogs the day they arrive that chasing the cats is a no no, but then they are not allowed to chase the chickens,ponies,donkey,cows or sheep so its easier to set their bounderies for them. and the cats are not allowed to go poking their noses in dogs dishes just in case someone took offence!
im very lucky they all get on though and im often walking through the fields with the dogs and the 2 adult cats often come for a run as well, although they are less inclined to go through the grass if its really wet and dont like walking in the wind! but most evenings the dogs beds often have a purring cat in them alongside one of the hounds!