need help badly, please read

[peanut]

im writing today because i recently moved in with my girlfriend and the one cat and dog arent getting along. she had two cats and i have a miniature dachshund. her one cat is fine with the dog but the other is petrified of my dog. she is very upset and we dont know how to handle this. the problem lies that my dog likes to chase this cat because it runs from him. all her cat does now is hide above the cabinets and in the closet. we want the cat to live happily here and would rather not give away any of our animals... if anybody has any suggestion i would be very grateful. please email me at flyinggecko@mac.com

thank you very much
dave

[Nightmare]

Dave,

You didn't say how recently you moved in with your girl friend, it could be that you just need to give them time.

I am sure I really going to catch it for this one, but have you tried scolding the dog for chasing the cat. I realize that for the dog it is just a game, but he/she needs to learn that this is no acceptable behavior. In my experience {which has been very recent} if the dog is usually obedient to your comands it will learn quickly that it is not to chase the cat. They Love you and therefore don't want you to be upset with them.

I don't write very elequently, or even spell right most of the time. I hope you get my meaning.

Nightmare,

Come Chat with Me, HERE (http://SignatureGallery.homestead.com)

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[peanut]

thank you for responding to my message. It has been about a month that we have been living together with the animals. We were hoping at first that it would just eventually work it self out but so far it has not. We have tried scolding the dog many times and putting him in his kennel for a time out but this does not deter him from chasing the cat. He is usually an obidient dog but he is after all a hound dog and when he picks up a scent of any sort, whether it be cat or whatever...he becomes stubborn and I can call to him till i am horse and he will continue his hunt. As I said he is fine with the other cat because she does not run...just swats him in the face. It the chase he enjoys and dont know how to stop either him from chasing or the cat from running. Any help you can give will be appreciated.

Thank You

[Nightmare]

Wish I had some wise words to share, but I don't have a clue. Maybe someone else will read your message and have some great ideas. They usually do.

Keep us posted on how it turns out.

Nightmre

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[Garfield]

Hi,

Your dog is chasing the cat because he is very curious about them. Trying carrying the cats in hand and let your dog sniff them. Let them in a soothing voice that they are friends. Assure both parties that neither one will be neglected. You have to keep doing that. Let them get used to each other. It is understandable why your dog chased them.

Or an alternative, send your dog to obediences training, and if your country has cat training, send them in too.

Good luck with them and let us know the outcome. http://petshub.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Many thanks to Nightmare (http://petshub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getbio&UserName=Nightmare)
for seeking permission from garfield.com to use this picture.

[bluelights]

Nightmare, you have beautiful pictures in all your posts. so cute.

[Icus]

Try letting the cat come close to the dog without the dog being able to chase him. Tie him to a pole in the middle of the garden for example. When they had some relaxed time to get to know each other things might work out fine.

[peanut]

First I want to thank you all for your help and advice. There is just one problem that I neglected to mention. The cat FREAKS whenever he is brought down from the counters. We have tried putting the dog in his kennel and then bringing the cat to him so he sniff and him and what not but the cat (who does still have his claws) just rip us both to pieces and then takes off for the counter tops again. We have tried putting the dog in a bathroom and letting the cat "visit" with a door between them...but again he flips out. We tried putting the cat in a carrier to keep him still and then letting the dog sniff him but the dog began barking and scared the cat so badly that he soiled himself. I am running out of ideas and I am afraid that cat is going to become ill because he is not using the litter box as he should and is just holding it in. I need help or I am going to have to give up one the animals. I cant stand to see the cat suffer as is. Any other advise anyone can give would be so much appreciated.
Thank You!!!!!!!

[Nightmare]

It sounds like you might be right. You may very well have to give one of them up. The choice of course is up to you, but I think the cat may not trust you anymore. It might be better if you could find a home for her where you know she won't have to be around dogs at all.

I know that seems hard, but in the long run it might be best for everyone concerned. It isn't healthy for either you and your girlfriend, or for the cat to be so upset all the time.

The dog isn't going to change, and apparently you've tried just about everything.

I sure hope everthing works out.

Nightmare

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[This message has been edited by Nightmare (edited 05-29-2001).]