Comments on: Can dogs and cats get along? http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:11:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7580 Lindsay Stordahl Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:21:06 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7580 My animals actually like it when I am in charge. It seems to take some pressure off of them. If I'm not in charge, then one of them tries to take over which is never good. My animals actually like it when I am in charge. It seems to take some pressure off of them. If I’m not in charge, then one of them tries to take over which is never good.

]]> By: Shane http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7569 Shane Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:38:49 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7569 This just happened today so I thought I would share. We have two pretty new dogs in our house. And the two cats that we have adjusted pretty quickly. I had to work with Beavis at first but Butt Head accepted them right away. Well today out of the blue Butt Head decided she was going to show who was boss and started swatting at Bruno. Ruby has already accepted that she isn't high enough on the ladder to do anything so she went the other direction. But Bruno held his ground. Butt Head and Bruno are about the same size and weight just to give everyone a mental picture. Any way I watched for a second to see what would happen because I was across the room. When all of a sudden Butt Head attacked. And viciously, She drew blood on Brunos neck before I could intercept the attack. Well Butt Head and I had an alphatization setion. Thats what I like to call them any way. Basically I took her and made her sit next to me. As long as she was good nothing happens. But if she tries to run away or growls or anything of the sort I scold her and give her a little pinch on the back of the neck. Not hard enough to hurt her but enough to get her attention. And she doesn't like it. She has to allow the other animals smell her and walk by her and behave the whole time or she doesn't get to leave. Well it took a while and the whole time Beavis was sitting next to her staring at her with a look on her face like Oh you were stupid. Don't you remember when I had to go through this? Well she finally accepted her fate and soon after that was purring and even went and rubbed against Bruno. My wife used to get real mad at me when I would do that to the cats. But now she realizes that they actually still like me alot and they behave way better. This just happened today so I thought I would share. We have two pretty new dogs in our house. And the two cats that we have adjusted pretty quickly. I had to work with Beavis at first but Butt Head accepted them right away. Well today out of the blue Butt Head decided she was going to show who was boss and started swatting at Bruno. Ruby has already accepted that she isn’t high enough on the ladder to do anything so she went the other direction. But Bruno held his ground. Butt Head and Bruno are about the same size and weight just to give everyone a mental picture. Any way I watched for a second to see what would happen because I was across the room. When all of a sudden Butt Head attacked. And viciously, She drew blood on Brunos neck before I could intercept the attack. Well Butt Head and I had an alphatization setion. Thats what I like to call them any way. Basically I took her and made her sit next to me. As long as she was good nothing happens. But if she tries to run away or growls or anything of the sort I scold her and give her a little pinch on the back of the neck. Not hard enough to hurt her but enough to get her attention. And she doesn’t like it. She has to allow the other animals smell her and walk by her and behave the whole time or she doesn’t get to leave. Well it took a while and the whole time Beavis was sitting next to her staring at her with a look on her face like Oh you were stupid. Don’t you remember when I had to go through this? Well she finally accepted her fate and soon after that was purring and even went and rubbed against Bruno.

My wife used to get real mad at me when I would do that to the cats. But now she realizes that they actually still like me alot and they behave way better.

]]> By: Marie http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7562 Marie Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:41:12 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7562 Hmm...I think my opinion about this has changed over time. We used to have our own cats, foster cats, our own dogs and foster dogs in the house all at the same time. However, as the number of our own dogs increased, I became concerned for the safety of the cats. I would trust almost any of the dogs individually, however all together in a pack, if one gets a cat running, they all join in. We eventually converted one of our building adjacent to the house into the "cat house". (no puns intended) and moved them out there. It's not ideal but it is insulated, carpeted, heated and safe from dog attacks. Hmm…I think my opinion about this has changed over time. We used to have our own cats, foster cats, our own dogs and foster dogs in the house all at the same time. However, as the number of our own dogs increased, I became concerned for the safety of the cats. I would trust almost any of the dogs individually, however all together in a pack, if one gets a cat running, they all join in. We eventually converted one of our building adjacent to the house into the “cat house”. (no puns intended) and moved them out there. It’s not ideal but it is insulated, carpeted, heated and safe from dog attacks.

]]> By: the three dog blogger http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7416 the three dog blogger Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:04:11 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7416 Our cat is always out fighting and seems to just come home to recover. The only problem I have with the cat and dogs is that Daisy and her pup love him too much. Every time they see him they go in to a wiggly bottomed frenzy! They love licking him and when they have calmed down Naruto will curl up right next to them and sleep for hours. Our cat is always out fighting and seems to just come home to recover.

The only problem I have with the cat and dogs is that Daisy and her pup love him too much. Every time they see him they go in to a wiggly bottomed frenzy!

They love licking him and when they have calmed down Naruto will curl up right next to them and sleep for hours.

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7398 Lindsay Stordahl Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:36:31 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7398 Stop Dog Biting, thanks for stopping by. Thanks Christina, sounds like you have a good system worked out with all your animals. I'm sure they keep you plenty busy! I think I've told you this before but I love German shepherds and hope to have one some day. They are probably my favorite breed. Stop Dog Biting, thanks for stopping by.

Thanks Christina, sounds like you have a good system worked out with all your animals. I’m sure they keep you plenty busy! I think I’ve told you this before but I love German shepherds and hope to have one some day. They are probably my favorite breed.

]]> By: Christina http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7394 Christina Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:14:28 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7394 I have two German Shepherds and also have two cats. The cats were rescued from our backyard at around 4 weeks of age. We adopted two out and kept two. We are dog people though and about 6 months after getting the cats decided to expand our family with two GSDs. I think it helped that the cats were still very young and didn't have any bad interactions with dogs prior to our two joining the family. Everyone primarily gets along and we haven't had any major incidents. All of your tips are great and thing syou have to actively reinforce - not just when it is convenient or you have time. A large contributor to whether it will be a happy household is the type of dog you have. Pruett, our male GSD, is high drive with a background of Czech and Hungarian working lines. He LOVES the cates. Obsesses over the cats. Whines at the cats. But the cats interact and we let him know when "enough is enough". Our other GSD is Daphne, a white female from American lines who is low drive and doesn't really care about the cats at all. She sometimes gets caught up in her brothers energy and will go on a "hunt" for the kitties but usually quickly abandons the task. We have a great gate that divides the upstairs and downstairs so the kitties have a safe place to escape if they get tired of the dogs - there is a built in cat door at the bottom of the gate so they can roam as they please. We also have a 6ft tall cat tree downstairs so they can perch if they want to be involved with the family, but from a distance. Keep up the great writing. I have two German Shepherds and also have two cats. The cats were rescued from our backyard at around 4 weeks of age. We adopted two out and kept two. We are dog people though and about 6 months after getting the cats decided to expand our family with two GSDs.

I think it helped that the cats were still very young and didn’t have any bad interactions with dogs prior to our two joining the family. Everyone primarily gets along and we haven’t had any major incidents.

All of your tips are great and thing syou have to actively reinforce – not just when it is convenient or you have time. A large contributor to whether it will be a happy household is the type of dog you have. Pruett, our male GSD, is high drive with a background of Czech and Hungarian working lines. He LOVES the cates. Obsesses over the cats. Whines at the cats. But the cats interact and we let him know when “enough is enough”. Our other GSD is Daphne, a white female from American lines who is low drive and doesn’t really care about the cats at all. She sometimes gets caught up in her brothers energy and will go on a “hunt” for the kitties but usually quickly abandons the task.

We have a great gate that divides the upstairs and downstairs so the kitties have a safe place to escape if they get tired of the dogs – there is a built in cat door at the bottom of the gate so they can roam as they please. We also have a 6ft tall cat tree downstairs so they can perch if they want to be involved with the family, but from a distance.

Keep up the great writing.

]]> By: Stop Dog Biting http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7381 Stop Dog Biting Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:11:10 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7381 I have a cat and a dog in my home, both of them are males. My cat constantly provokes the dog. He'll creep up next to him, meow slightly, and then run away. My dog loves chasing after the cat, and the cat loves to be chased, but they're both driving me up the wall. Thanks so much for the above tips. They'll definitely help! I have a cat and a dog in my home, both of them are males. My cat constantly provokes the dog. He’ll creep up next to him, meow slightly, and then run away. My dog loves chasing after the cat, and the cat loves to be chased, but they’re both driving me up the wall. Thanks so much for the above tips. They’ll definitely help!

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7319 Lindsay Stordahl Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:49:55 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7319 I notice that our three animals like to be together too. The cats and dog are never caught snuggling, but they are almost always in the same room. I like when I'm at my home office desk and all three animals have followed me and just hang out or nap. I notice that our three animals like to be together too. The cats and dog are never caught snuggling, but they are almost always in the same room. I like when I’m at my home office desk and all three animals have followed me and just hang out or nap.

]]> By: Biggie-Z http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7317 Biggie-Z Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:24:26 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7317 With our last set of pets we had the perfect dominance order: Spike, the cat, was dominant to Kiva, our wimpy German Shepherd. Kiva used to dominate Boo, the American Eskimo. Boo, on the other hand, knew just how close he could get to Spike, and would bark and chase him if he picked on Kiva. It was all perfectly balanced, and they eventually learned to coexist. They all slept in our room with us and even when we weren't around, would sometimes choose to hang out together in the same room. They wouldn't necessarily snuggle, but they did like to be around each other. With our last set of pets we had the perfect dominance order: Spike, the cat, was dominant to Kiva, our wimpy German Shepherd. Kiva used to dominate Boo, the American Eskimo. Boo, on the other hand, knew just how close he could get to Spike, and would bark and chase him if he picked on Kiva. It was all perfectly balanced, and they eventually learned to coexist. They all slept in our room with us and even when we weren’t around, would sometimes choose to hang out together in the same room. They wouldn’t necessarily snuggle, but they did like to be around each other.

]]> By: Lindsay Stordahl http://www.thatmutt.com/2009/01/31/can-dogs-and-cats-get-along/comment-page-1/#comment-7314 Lindsay Stordahl Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:18:48 +0000 http://www.thatmutt.com/?p=2430#comment-7314 I'm sorry you lost your kitten. Things like that can happen so fast. I looked at your pictures of Nefertiti and she was very, very cute. I’m sorry you lost your kitten. Things like that can happen so fast. I looked at your pictures of Nefertiti and she was very, very cute.

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