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Bad Behavior cats

post #1 of 7
8/26/09 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hi-I have a boyfriend with 2 cats, one 4 yrs and 1 at 8 yrs old. The older one is great with him, the younger one was aggressive and bit him when he yelled at her for jumping on his computer and he picked her up.
I am having trouble with the both of them as I have a dog, a shih tzu. He is a great, friendly dog but when he goes with me, he will of course chase the cats when they run. They apparently stay down in the cellar until we go but when I go over there without him, they stay away or even hiss when I come near them. One allows me to pet her but "only on the head" as that is all she can stand from anyone. The other keeps far away. His parents dont like the cats as well and I feel that they just lack behavior modification and feel terrible that he defends them over my feelings. They walk all over the counters, table, sleep with him and I know in dog behavior, that is not tolerated as they need rules too. I feel that they are spoiled and need training to incorporate me into their life. He does not want to do anything and says this is my problem as he loves his cats. HELP!!!!!!!!
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post #2 of 7
8/26/09 at 7:35pm
First of all, hi and welcome to TCS.......
I don't think I am about to say anything you want to hear.... The only thing I am reading in your thread is how do I get my boyfriend to get rid of his cats? The cats are not the problem, the disrespect and cruel treatment and regard towards his cats is! How dare you expect them to let you approach them after you let your dog chase them when it is there! Does he live with his parents still? Assuming since you mentioned them...... And you bring your dog into his families home, causing more stress...........It would be different if it was his or your home, but you have no right to bring your dog into their home and create more chaos, then complain about it......You have some serious growing up to do......
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post #3 of 7
8/26/09 at 9:13pm
I think the first question you should ask yourself is how you would feel if his cats came to your house and cornered your dog all the time.

In other words, the first behavior modification you need to do is stop your dog from chasing the cats.
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post #4 of 7
8/26/09 at 11:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by farrah13 View Post
he will of course chase the cats when they run
Dogs can most certainly live with cats and be trained not to chase. You really should keep your dog on a lead until you can train him to leave the cats.

the cats hiss at you as you are the person who brings over the dog who terrorises them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by farrah13 View Post
They walk all over the counters, table, sleep with him
So do mine My cats have very few rules because them walking on the counter doesn't bother me (I just wipe down before use) and I love that they all sleep with me
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post #5 of 7
8/26/09 at 11:43pm
The cats likely associate you with the dog chasing them - hence why they are less than friendly with you. I would first work with your dog not to chase them - I know it's hard to do....however I have 2 hunting dogs with high prey drive who have learned not to, so it can be done.

Cats being on the counter is a common thing. You can try to teach them to stay down, but they'll just get up there when you aren't looking. They've been allowed up there for years.

Try to look at it this way - if he brought his cats into your home & they were chasing your dog around your home - driving him away into hiding - would you be happy with that? The two people & 3 pets can learn to co-exist without problems, but it will take a bit of work on both your parts. Perhaps keeping your dog on leash until he learns not to chase the cats, setting up a "kitty safe zone" with a baby gate, & a few other things will smooth out this bump along the road?
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post #6 of 7
8/27/09 at 1:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by farrah13 View Post
Hi-I have a boyfriend with 2 cats, one 4 yrs and 1 at 8 yrs old. The older one is great with him, the younger one was aggressive and bit him when he yelled at her for jumping on his computer and he picked her up.
I am having trouble with the both of them as I have a dog, a shih tzu. He is a great, friendly dog but when he goes with me, he will of course chase the cats when they run. They apparently stay down in the cellar until we go but when I go over there without him, they stay away or even hiss when I come near them.

You don't have a friendly smell about you. You smell like a dog, and the only dog they are encountering is not friendly to them. Therefore, you smell like their enemy so you are their enemy. You need to put your dog into basic obedience and tell the trainer to help you with a command "No Chase." This is the first command any rescued pup learns here when they come here. I have a large population of strays that live here in our home, and we also rescue abused German Shepherds (some with high prey drives) The first command is taught with their favorite toy, a leash, a harness and a firm but kind hand. You toss the toy while the dog is on the lead, and let him chase it (letting go of the lead of course) Then, you take the same toy, toss it, hold firm to the lead and tell the dog "NO CHASE" You hold the dog in a stay command until he settles. Once he settles, you treat him with a meaty treat and then praise him. When he has this lesson down along with basic obedience, you simply be sure that when he is in the home and the cats are about, he has harness and lead on until it is planted in his head that cats are not chew toys.






One allows me to pet her but "only on the head" as that is all she can stand from anyone. The other keeps far away. His parents dont like the cats as well and I feel that they just lack behavior modification and feel terrible that he defends them over my feelings. They walk all over the counters, table, sleep with him and I know in dog behavior, that is not tolerated as they need rules too. I feel that they are spoiled and need training to incorporate me into their life. He does not want to do anything and says this is my problem as he loves his cats. HELP!!!!!!!!
[color=red]You also need to redirect your thinking. They are cats, they have their own set of rules and could give a rip about yours. That is just how it is. Until you set some time to spend with them without expecting anything- petting, headbumps, affection you aren't going to get very far witih them. One of the fastest ways to have a cat all over you is to ignore it except for the basic needs. Ask your boyfriend if you can take over caring for the cats, that means everything from feeding, watering, scooping litter pans and cleaning them out. Cats are just as grateful for a clean litter pan then they are for a bowl of cat food. When you are in the home, have your dog under your control and sit on the floor and let the cats come to you. They will, it will just take time and patience. You can't command cats, you have to just understand their basic nature. [COLOR]
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post #7 of 7
8/27/09 at 2:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheylink View Post
First of all, hi and welcome to TCS.......
I don't think I am about to say anything you want to hear.... The only thing I am reading in your thread is how do I get my boyfriend to get rid of his cats? The cats are not the problem, the disrespect and cruel treatment and regard towards his cats is! How dare you expect them to let you approach them after you let your dog chase them when it is there! Does he live with his parents still? Assuming since you mentioned them...... And you bring your dog into his families home, causing more stress...........It would be different if it was his or your home, but you have no right to bring your dog into their home and create more chaos, then complain about it......You have some serious growing up to do......
that was some welcome to TCS
To the OP - I think that you probably don't know much about cats to be saying what you are saying... These cats are not mis-behaving at all... but you are by bringing your dog into this house and letting it chase these poor cats away... and thinking this is the cats fault
Ai ai ai....
I am sorry, but I am glad your boyfriend is sticking by his cats...
Please don't take your dog to your boyfriends house anymore.... that is the cats house, not yours.... your boyfriend is not taking his cats to visit your dog, is he? Please respect his cats if you want to be respected.
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