Managing cats and a new puppy

After wanting a dog for many years, I finally broke down and accepted an 8 week old Snauwzer <sp> Jack Russell mix into my life (named “Spudnikâ€).

My cats, Wingnut and Moonbat donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know what to make of her. When I let her out of her crate, she immediately starts chasing the cats, who run frantically for the nearest high spot where the dog canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t reach them.

Seems to work okay, at least until the dog gets a little older and learns to calm down around the cats. However, this evening Wingnut took a swipe at her. Spudnik squealed, ran off and hid. Found her, checked – no damage, Wingnut had kept his claws at bay (thank you Wingnut).

Still, with me trying to slim Wingnut down by feeding him less (meaning – heâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s in a bad mood a lot), Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m worried he may hurt her if she goes to far. I know puppies need to learn limits, and that may be whatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s happening now, just want to do whatever I can to ensure she doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t get significantly hurt in the process.

Spudnik needs to not be allowed to chase the cats. My best luck with that was keeping them on leash tied to me so I had control of them (and I also had them right there with me should they start to potty - so I could get them outside fast).

Cats teach manners thru the occassional swat. And puppies play with their littermates by chasing, pouncing, and biting each other. The 2 don't mix that well and need lots of monitoring and correction.

I agree with Natalie, Spudnik needs the closer monitoring right now, and if that means using a leash, or gating him in a confined place in the house away from the cats, then so be it. I get our puppies gated in the kitchen until they were fully housebroken and had learned cat manners. I kept a tall cat tree in the kitchen so that the cats could escape to someplace high if the cats wanted in the kitchen but didn't want to be bothered by the puppies.

And you might notice the cats on the other side of the gate snearing from time to time, or up on top of something looking down and laughing in their own cat-like way.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Cats teach manners thru the occassional swat. And puppies play with their littermates by chasing, pouncing, and biting each other. The 2 don't mix that well and need lots of monitoring and correction.

I agree with Natalie, Spudnik needs the closer monitoring right now, and if that means using a leash, or gating him in a confined place in the house away from the cats, then so be it. I get our puppies gated in the kitchen until they were fully housebroken and had learned cat manners. I kept a tall cat tree in the kitchen so that the cats could escape to someplace high if the cats wanted in the kitchen but didn't want to be bothered by the puppies.

And you might notice the cats on the other side of the gate snearing from time to time, or up on top of something looking down and laughing in their own cat-like way.

Click to expand...

I am agree with Momofmany.I also think so.

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