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Does anyone have any cat and dog issues?
We have a very difficult situation. We have two 8 year old cats and Fitz who is 4 months old. He wants to play and they don't. He gets so excited when he sees them but the cats are irritated. He gets into play position and they go defensive. When he doesn't get a response he barks at them and continues barking at them. They swat and hiss, he barks and jumps around. Then all hell breaks loose. Ivan (my male cat) goes in for the attack and the game is on.
I had kept him gated off in the living room but we realized that we needed him to be comfortable in the front space of the house so we gated off the hallway and now he has access to the dining room, living room and kitchen. BUT that also means the cats. The cats can and do retreat in to the bedrooms when they have had enough. But Ivan loves to sit in front of the big window it's his favorite spot and he just can't do that with Fitz constantly on his tale. So now I have to pen him for a bit every now and then so the cats can get some peace and walk around the living room. Because if I don't it's non-stop meowing, hissing and barking. Now he lunges at the back window when we are outside if he sees that cat in front of it.
We went through the introduction process and things seemed to be going well. We go to puppy class and Fitz does not do this to any of the other pups, in fact, he just sort of stands back and observes and when he's invited to play he's an angel. No growling, no barking, no lunging just light playing. He only barks when he wants attention.
I know that part of it is a cat problem; I have a calming collar on Ivan, who is the most trouble. I even have lavender scented air freshener all over the house to add to the problem. I have gone so far as to buy calming treats for everyone, including the humans. Merlot, anyone? But I need to deal with the Fitz side of it. I try to get his attention away from the cats by calling him, clicking and luring him with treats and it doesn't work. He is so distracted it's maddening. What have you done, or has worked for you? Help!
We have a very difficult situation. We have two 8 year old cats and Fitz who is 4 months old. He wants to play and they don't. He gets so excited when he sees them but the cats are irritated. He gets into play position and they go defensive. When he doesn't get a response he barks at them and continues barking at them. They swat and hiss, he barks and jumps around. Then all hell breaks loose. Ivan (my male cat) goes in for the attack and the game is on.
I had kept him gated off in the living room but we realized that we needed him to be comfortable in the front space of the house so we gated off the hallway and now he has access to the dining room, living room and kitchen. BUT that also means the cats. The cats can and do retreat in to the bedrooms when they have had enough. But Ivan loves to sit in front of the big window it's his favorite spot and he just can't do that with Fitz constantly on his tale. So now I have to pen him for a bit every now and then so the cats can get some peace and walk around the living room. Because if I don't it's non-stop meowing, hissing and barking. Now he lunges at the back window when we are outside if he sees that cat in front of it.
We went through the introduction process and things seemed to be going well. We go to puppy class and Fitz does not do this to any of the other pups, in fact, he just sort of stands back and observes and when he's invited to play he's an angel. No growling, no barking, no lunging just light playing. He only barks when he wants attention.
I know that part of it is a cat problem; I have a calming collar on Ivan, who is the most trouble. I even have lavender scented air freshener all over the house to add to the problem. I have gone so far as to buy calming treats for everyone, including the humans. Merlot, anyone? But I need to deal with the Fitz side of it. I try to get his attention away from the cats by calling him, clicking and luring him with treats and it doesn't work. He is so distracted it's maddening. What have you done, or has worked for you? Help!