Dog and cat socializing question....

[KimKelly]

We got a new dog! A 9 month old male Shih Tzu. He's adorable, mellow, affectionate... but he likes to run after my cat. If I'm holding the cat, or if the cat is not moving, he is fine. When the cat moves (she's 13 and is getting arthritis) he has been chasing her and she obviously gets upset and hisses and runs, making him chase more. How do we get past this???? We have always had Golden Retrievers before, and the cat is used to them. She used to sleep with ours, and will still snuggle up to the neighbors. We would really like to keep the dog, but if he can't get used to the cat we can't, she was here first. Any tips? We have only had him for half a day, so I know we need to let things settle down a bit.

Kim

[ErinM]

Congratulations on choosing a WONDERFUL dog!

First, you MUST post pictures!!!

I'm not sure how much/good my advice will be. My instinct is to say that he's a baby, he wants to play. Once she gives him a good swat on the nose, I think he'll eventually get the picture. Otherwise, when he starts to bother her, distract him with another toy or something to chew on. Other than that, give it time. This is all brand new to the little guy, he might not be used to having something "at his level".

I'll bet that eventually he'll start ignoring the cat and things will go back to normal.

Now, remember, PICTURES!!! :D

[KimKelly]

I'm so bummed! The dog is going back. We brought him home on a "try it" basis, and it's not going to work.

He has growled at every member of the family except me and tonight he tried to bite my husband! He and my son have really hit it off, my son has never really liked animals before, but he loves this dog - even though the dog has growled at him twice. Tonight my husband and son were wrestling on the floor and the dog ran up and started the "humping" bit on my husband. I've been doing some reading and found that that action is asserting dominance. When I went to remove him from my husband he growled, barked and tried to bite my husband. He has growled at my 5 year old daughter 3 or 4 times as well. This can't be. We have many friends with toddlers and I can't have a dog that I'm worried about their safety with.

Now I'm dealing with a devestated son. I feel so bad. :( He really loves this dog and now we are sending it back. We have always had Golden Retrievers and are not used to this.

BTW, he actually did ok with the cats! My one cat kind of put him in his place, and they pretty much ignore each other. The 2nd cat has hidden the whole time he's been here and I don't even think he knows she is here! So that would have worked out.

Such a sad thing....
Thanks for the advice. Hopefully one day I will have a picture to post.

Kim

[CompassRose]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. Did you get the dog from a pound?

That's one thing about rescue dogs -- usually they've been fostered, so the foster family will comment on dominance or cat issues. We were lucky with Onyx. When he was still just an occasional visitor (he was originally owned by a friend of ours) our alpha cat, William the Orange, gave him a good baff in the snout on their first encounter. So he still thinks cats are scary!

I don't know what I'd do if I had to actually socialise a dog and a cat. I don't know anything about dogs! Cats you just leave alone and ignore the screaming till they work out a social ladder, but dogs are a mystery.

Hope the perfect dog is on its way to you.

[lindrusso]

I'm sorry things didn't work out with the dog, Kim. :( I can't imagine having to send a dog back, but you made the right decision - you cannot worry about family members getting bit! :eek:

Good luck.

Alysha :)