Getting stray to like a to a dog that likes cats-The dog is nice to cats-Want positive perspectives

sophia4cats

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Hi I see articles all about introducing dogs and cat that emphasize protecting cats from the evil dog that might eat the cat. I never see any on how to get  a cat to enjoy the dog that likes cats.

Before my stray popped up I was actively searching for a dog loving cat that also likes other cats. The cats I have just tolerate the dog much to his chagrin. He wishes they'd be his freind. He was trained to respect them and see himself as part cat. He is a medium sized lab border collie mix. His border collie side even causes him put his body in front of one of my cats that likes to pick on another cat and stomp his feet and stare at her to stop her. (We are working this cat's issues) However, he still has moments where he dashes around the house with toys in his mouth for the sheer joy of dashing and makes the cats upset because of his fast movement.  He does NOT chase cats.

My dog is kept in a room away from my cats when we are not home so they can relax or on a long line if we have to leave the room for more time than it takes to use the bathroom. For the new cat we will go to 100% long line while we are in the TV room or if we leave as the new cat gets used to our extended living area. The dog won't like it but it seems best.

The cat I picked up has been thoroughly exposed to dog scent as he has been staying where the dog normally stays when we are gone we switched the dog to someplace else. He has seen the dog nose to nose through crack in the door he just stared for the longest time while the dog stood there looking happy and wagging his tail. Finally since it seemed he didn't know what "it" was he decided hissing and swatting was the way to go. The door was not cracked enough for the cat to do any damage. So I am just cracking the door as the dog passes the area the cat is in (the dog doesn't even look at him) so the cat can see him.

The cat is male, and very large he could hurt the dog and my other cats so it's important that this goes well. I want the cat to get used to the dog first and vice versa. Cats normally get used to each other a dog can be a problem.

I'd really love to hear from people who have fostered positive dog cat relationships.
 

p3 and the king

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Hi I see articles all about introducing dogs and cat that emphasize protecting cats from the evil dog that might eat the cat.
It's not that anyone thinks dogs are "evil" and I don't recall anyone ever saying that.   Mostly we are trying to point out to people that cats and dogs are entirely different species that have entirely different languages.  Most people, in my experience, always want to blame the cat whenever something doesn't go right.  I think many on here want to point out how it is the different "languages" that are to blame and not one or the other animal.

It can be done.  We had a dog that was best friends with our cat growing up.  She always had his back and they would eat together, out of the same dish and everything. 

The important thing to remember is that dogs are very hyper and in-your-face, especially a cats face.  They may chase or pull tails or bark at the cat... Trying to initiate play.  But a cat sees this as intimidating and aggression until they get used to and know and understand the dog. 

So when introducing them, take it slow and make sure your dog is laid back and sitting or laying down for the first initial meetings.  No barking and just sniffing and maybe a little not caring so much is the best thing a dog can do.  Also, don't push your cat.  If it's uncomfortable, it may lash out at the dog and that is not a good way to start.  The dog will then see the cat as aggressive not realizing it was just scared.  Hissing and growling is to be expected from the cat, as long as it doesn't lash out, you're OK.  Well, actually as long as the dog doesn't react to the hissing growling or lashing out, you're OK.  Just keep the dog calm and still as much as possible.    
 

jennyr

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My border collie Tasha loved to play with cats.And some of my cats responded positively, others did not. But I agree it is a language thing. Tasha would furiously wag her tail and stare at the cats, asking them for attention, and of course they would hiss and swipe, at which point she would roll on her back with paws in the air, all submissive (she thought). All saying the wrong thing. But she was intelligent enough to work it out, and got so that even when Milo grabbed her nose in his mouth, she would stand stock still until he let go. And eventually most of the cats decided she was not a threat. She and Bonaparte bonded form the beginning and although it alarmed me to see them wrestle and chase each other, they never hurt each other. I fed Tasha away from the cats, and she had her own blanket and bed in the hall, so they were separated at night.

I was most worried about Ellie when I fIrst introduced a dog, as Ellie was almost killed by a pack of feral dogs when we lived in Bosnia, and naturally she has been terrified of them ever since. She was the one who took longest to adjust, but she went from hiding to ambushing to ignoring Tasha in about a year, and by the time we sadly lost Tasha :rbheart: I caught Ellie licking the dog's nose more than once. So good luck.
 

feralvr

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I totally understand where you are coming from. I have had dogs and cats my whole life and have much experience with them. The bottom line is even IF the dog LOVES cats..... some cats do not want anything to do with dogs. Not all cats though, but some. Your dog sounds really sweet and must love cats very much, almost TOOOO much. :lol3: I have learned that the best way is for the cats to be able watch the dog from a safe vantage point. Lots of vertical space for the cats so they have many places up high to get away from the dog. Even if the dog is not staring at them but wanting to befriend them, the cats will get backed off by that right away. It just takes time. They really will just work it out themselves and since your dog already knows so much about cats, he will understand the "get away" signs quickly. Your dog sounds SOOO good, and I think you won't have any problems with this cat once the cat settles in more and realizes that the dog will not get in his space without his consent. He will want to make the first move, when he is ready too. :rub: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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sophia4cats

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For the first person that replied I was not being literal about about articles stating the dogs would be evil. I am saying that there few article that assume the dog is friendly toward cats (with some good reason) and how to help the cat adjust and like the dog. I like the stories people have shared so far they are wonderful. (Anyone who reads the post please feel free continue  to share) I like the vertical space idea. I have cat trees and plan to buy one more. When I found my dog he was nine months old left behind after an eviction. My husband wanted to take him in I was not thrilled about keeping him fearing for my cats. However, we try to take in whomever we can. I was raised with dogs and taught how to train for 4H dog shows them but not how to get them to act properly around cats. I taught my dog many things but my dog was also taught to lay down every time a cat passed him. That was one key point. I taught my cats to ignore him to some degree (so that is my fault but I didn't know of better way at the time) He is free to pass a cat as he pleases now. For most part my cats still steer clear of him but I have caught them licking his nose and if he is on the long line at night at bedtime (he has to be kept close as we sleep or he might get into something)  they will sit far enough away from him that he can't reach and dog and the cats will look at each other eye to eye as if they are looking into each other.
 
 
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