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Post by piglet on Nov 30, 2014 8:09:49 GMT
Hi I'm hoping someone can help us! We have 2 cats Neo(10) and Nala(8) and 2 children aged 5 and 2. Nala has always been a bit timid and since we had the kids generally sticks to upstairs except to get out or eat. Neo however is more of an adventurer preferring the outdoors but always comes home to eat and sleep.
In January of this year we brought home a Labrador puppy, we did everything right, kept her in her crate while the cats had a look and told her off if she did anything to frighten her but since she arrived 10 months ago the cats have barely come downstairs and Neo has taken to going off for days on end. In the summer they'd come in through open windows but obviously that's becoming tricky now.
Most recently Neo was gone for 2 weeks ( and was returned to us by a neighbour looking skinny and virtually feral, we kept him in for 2 weeks (with one escape half way) and fed him lots of nice treats and he seemed to return to normal but since we released him he won't come home again unless we catch him and bring him in.
I've got a glazier coming this week about putting a cat flap in an upstairs window we are that desperate for him to not be afraid to come in. The lab is such a lovely dog but she's very playful and will always bound over towards the cats despite our reprimands.
Has anyone been through similar or have any advice for me? Thanks!
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Post by bectil on Nov 30, 2014 9:00:58 GMT
Hi and welcome to the forum piglet! Sorry to hear about your situation. My cat did the same for the first few weeks when we brought our Collie pup home, though thankfully Polly didn't go far and she was coming back for food, but it was the principle that she never use to go other peoples houses (she went to a friends house up the road). It sounds as though your Lab pup doesn't have that much respect for your cats. Has Neo and Nala ever tried to put your pup in her place? My old Labrador use to be scared stiff of my cat. She would never pass Pol on the stairs or through doors. And a rare moment when Polly would lick Winnie around her eyes, then poor Win dared to move.. otherwise she would have got swiped! The room that you're having the catflap installed in, are you able to make that like a cats room? Perhaps set a baby gate up at the door, so the cats can enter the rest of the house if they like by going through the gap in the gate, or if they feel as though they need to quickly get back into their room, then they can do so safely. And also means that their room is dog free, so they will feel safe being in there. If Neo and Nala decide they are going to venture into the house, possibly put your Lab on a lead/long line. Teach her that the cats need their space by teaching a strong 'leave it' command - when she does listen give her lots of praise and treats! I think that is all I have to input and I hope I've explained it clearly. Good luck, I hope you're able to sort this out!
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Post by piglet on Nov 30, 2014 9:22:21 GMT
Thank you Bectil that is very helpful advice. I was hoping the cats would put her in her place in the early days when she was small, she is quite a wimp so I'm sure a swipe to the nose would have worked but the cats were never brave enough, perhaps we should have tried her on the lead. Now she is so big I'm sure the cats will run a mile even if she's on a lead but it might be something to try (things can't get much worse!). We were thinking of having the catflap in the landing window as the dog isn't allowed up there, there is a stair gate at the bottom of the stairs so that should hopefully make them feel safer.
Really appreciate you replying!
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Post by tonib on Dec 1, 2014 0:06:00 GMT
I wish I could provide some helpful advise piglet but despite having 4 cats that aren't really in harmony, I've never had the mix of dog & cats. I would suggest, like bectil, that the cats have a safe place which they can retreat to & also various high places that your lab can't reach - cat climbers for example. Also keeping the lab restrained by crate or lead when the cats are about may help. If on the lead then the lab needs to to sit calmly. Probably part of her dog training? As to encouraging Neo to stay more a home, that's a difficult one. I suspect that being able to be upstairs away from the lab will help. We have a bit of a similar problem with the fact that our last addition to the feline family is not popular but she has her own room at night & that gives the other 3 some peace and the one most upset by her (& spent a lot of time out) is definitely more amenable to be in then. If the cats are in upstairs do they have access to food, water & litter trays so would not have to come in contact with the lab if they want these facilities. Also spending time playing/grooming or otherwise interacting with the cats with the dog's presence my make them feel better about being at home. I suspect you need to get the cats happy in their own space before trying to merge the feline & canine parts of the family. The catflap should help so long as they can easily get in/out of it. There is the option of asking your vet to refer you to an animal behaviourist, one who specialises in cats & dogs, not the cheapest option but may work. Hopefully others may have some better advice but do keep us informed how things progress. Good luck
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