6 tiny kittens & a big rough lab!

My cat Snap Who was a stray had six beautiful kittens about five weeks ago. I have given them their own room blocked off with a baby gate because I also have a big black lab, Who is very sweet and loving but very rough... She does not understand how to be gentle. Snap continues to carry the babies over the baby gate out into the living room because she wants them to be near me, at which time my dog gets very excited and pounces. I even found her picking one up babies up in her mouth at one time and I panicked! It is driving me crazy because I always have to be on guard. Snap does not understand it is dangerous for the babies, and soon they will be able to climb over the gate on their own anyway. I know this is a cat site, but is my problem more with the dog? If so how do I teach my lab to leave the kittens alone so they do not get hurt? Help!

Is he train?

Lori1450 said:

My cat Snap Who was a stray had six beautiful kittens about five weeks ago. I have given them their own room blocked off with a baby gate because I also have a big black lab, Who is very sweet and loving but very rough... She does not understand how to be gentle. Snap continues to carry the babies over the baby gate out into the living room because she wants them to be near me, at which time my dog gets very excited and pounces. I even found her picking one up babies up in her mouth at one time and I panicked! It is driving me crazy because I always have to be on guard. Snap does not understand it is dangerous for the babies, and soon they will be able to climb over the gate on their own anyway. I know this is a cat site, but is my problem more with the dog? If so how do I teach my lab to leave the kittens alone so they do not get hurt? Help!
 

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I understand your dilemma.  He is probably no danger for them as such. The mom is reading him, and she deems he is no real danger.

Also, they need to met a friendly dog.  Even it if pounces some.

The danger is, he being much bigger and with big hefty movements, my hurt them in play, by his sheer body mass...

So you sholdnt try to forbid, it may even get his suspicious to the kittens.  But try and soothe down his movements.   Literally, try and soothe him, even with sheer voice.

The obvious answer is to teach your dog to leave the kittens alone. I do know this is far easier said than done - even with a dog that's been thoroughly trained it will take time to create the understanding that the kittens are not to be touched under any circumstances (I have a boisterous lab myself - she's been trained to within an inch of her life and really understands/responds to the 'leave it' command. Even so, she had to be watched like a hawk when I introduced my 8/9 month rescue cat, and at first had to be physically restrained to reinforce the verbal command...since then Asha's hit her and hissed a few times and the dog is now scared of the cat :lol3: ).

Anyway - in terms of quick fix I'd suggest keeping the dog shut away from the kittens if you're not in the room, maybe having the dog attached to you with a training lead (the really long kind with several rings so you can put it round your waist like a belt and attach the dog to the free end), or crating the dog when she's where momma cat (and therefore kittens) can access her. I would suggest a puppy pen for the dog, but if momma cat is jumping the baby gate, she's very likely to jump the pen fence too.

Sorry I can't be more help. Good luck with them all. You've certainly got your hands full

Just realised - meant to say that if you use the training lead, you can allow controlled interactions between the dog and kittens. Over time, if you praise and reward (treat) the calm interactions and correct the over exuberant ones the dog will learn what behaviour is appropriate around the kittens. You just need very very vlear boundaries. Clicker training is a fantastic approach for this kind of issues...especially if your lab is as food motivated as mine

Thank you! Someone else suggested using the lead as well I think that might be my best bet. Plus I'm probably over worrying.

My lab is 6 and well trained, she accepted the mom cat it was a stray. Labs are just such big puppies she's just so rough. I'm just so tired of yelling leave it 25,000 times a day! Mom cat doesn't seem worried at all!

I can imagine how easy it is to be overprotective with tiny kittens on the loose! Do bear in mind that labs are gundogs, and one of the traits they were 'designed' for was a soft mouth - ideally so soft that they can carry a raw egg in their mouth without breaking it.

My girl has had agression issues (other dogs) due to a deep rooted insecurity complex and a tendency towards pre emptive attack (hence the need for intensive training!). She's been known to pin a dog to the floor by the throat...including incidents with toy breeds - even a teacup poodle under a year old. In all these attacks, she has never once drawn blood or caused any damage. That thought might reassure you a little if your lab does play a little rough with a kitten

Columbine said:

I can imagine how easy it is to be overprotective with tiny kittens on the loose! Do bear in mind that labs are gundogs, and one of the traits they were 'designed' for was a soft mouth - ideally so soft that they can carry a raw egg in their mouth without breaking it.

My girl has had agression issues (other dogs) due to a deep rooted insecurity complex and a tendency towards pre emptive attack (hence the need for intensive training!). She's been known to pin a dog to the floor by the throat...including incidents with toy breeds - even a teacup poodle under a year old. In all these attacks, she has never once drawn blood or caused any damage. That thought might reassure you a little if your lab does play a little rough with a kitten

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Exactly.  That is one of my reasons I dont think that lab in question is personally threating or mean to them kittens.

But the sheer mass differency may cause  accidents.  What is merry play for it, may be a dangerous and overhelming overhaul for the kittens.  Healthy kittens are very sturdy, but not in infinity...

That is why I think its imperative to encourage just and only docile games.

Progress! By MY relaxing, and introducing the bravest kitten of the bunch..... Well I'll let the picture tell the story.....

That's great progress It's amazing how much relaxing your enery can change the dynamics of a situation :nod:

...& you notice who has a toy in her mouth? Lol....
Mom was nearby and seemed very relaxed so I figure she was okay with it I was okay

:lol3: She just needs to remember not to confuse kittens with her toys

This AM I went to feed the babies, and on the inside of the baby gate was a pile of dog toys.... My sweet lab (her name is "Beans") was sharing! So adorable! Even a couple sticky Rawhide chews!

What a sweetheart! It's sounds like you have a wonderful fur family there

I suggest keeping them apart. I have heard it happen before, a dog who didn't know how to play with little kittens like this. They were together for weeks, but when the little ones started to learn how to run and play, the dog saw them as a toy. 2 little kittens got ripped to pieces when their owner didn't pay attention for a couple of seconds.

When you can't trust your dog, even a little, please do the right thing and keep them seperated.