Is this aggression or herding?

Sammy J. · 09-08-2009, 01:23 AM

18 month female we have had in our home for 2 days! Brought her back from Virginia as a "re-home".

We love her greatly, a real sweet heart. Two walks and she no longer pulls the lead.

We also have cats, who are remaining in their bedroom, that is after we broght Rena home.

She knows the cats are in the room, and can see them through a small cat door. She will crouch and look at the cats, and whimper as if she wants to get in. There no barking or growing at the cats, just seems "please let me get to them".

Are we seeing agression? I get between her and the door and give a very sharpe NO, but she insist on returning.

I hope to see an improvement soon, and will welcome ANY and ALL suggestions!

Bruce Wilson · 09-08-2009, 01:41 AM

I think she's just curious about the other occupants of the house. I'd leash her and introduce her to the cats. Who knows, she may have had a cat as her best friend in the past. 18 month old, no barking / growling... probably just wants to meet them.

Lucy Dog · 09-08-2009, 02:21 AM

Sounds like curiosity to me. How are the cats reacting?

Sammy J. · 09-08-2009, 03:46 AM

A bit nervous; most likely from her excitement. One of three came into our bedroom, with our new dog asleep on the floor, climbed up on our bed just like normal. And was fine, until our dog was invited on our bed, and saw the cat.

scannergirl · 09-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Even if it's purely playful the dog can severly injure the cats so please be careful.
I have a dog who's obsessed with my cat and she WILL hurt her- I don't think it's intentional but it really doesn't matter- dead is dead.

Sammy J. · 09-08-2009, 08:05 AM

OH how right you are. They got nose to nose this morning, under a tight lead control. I hope things will smooth out, it has already tappered off.

Here is our new girl, Nina.

Minnieski · 09-08-2009, 08:11 AM

Sounds like curiosity to me too. Minnie loved to investigate cats until one put her in her place. Now she's scared of them, ha.

ripgretchen · 09-08-2009, 08:19 AM

beautiful girl...

Sammy J. · 09-08-2009, 08:37 AM

I was hopping for that, in a mild way, just enough to get the message through. Maybe as pack leader I have to do that!

Riley's Mom · 09-13-2009, 10:40 AM

It sounds like curiosity to me, too. I'd be careful of a tight leash because that in my training/teaching can make for aggression whereby a loose leash will not. Now, obviously that has to be done w/care due to these special circumstances. But if you are tense when you do this, the dog's going to pick up on it and things will probably go badly for a meet'n'greet then. What if you put the dog in a crate and let the cats walk by/near the crate and see what happens? At least then a visual introduction is better than a door they can't see thru. Watch the reaction and take it from there.

09-08-2009, 01:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sammy J. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Summrville, SC USA Posts: 35	Is this aggression or herding? 18 month female we have had in our home for 2 days! Brought her back from Virginia as a "re-home". We love her greatly, a real sweet heart. Two walks and she no longer pulls the lead. We also have cats, who are remaining in their bedroom, that is after we broght Rena home. She knows the cats are in the room, and can see them through a small cat door. She will crouch and look at the cats, and whimper as if she wants to get in. There no barking or growing at the cats, just seems "please let me get to them". Are we seeing agression? I get between her and the door and give a very sharpe NO, but she insist on returning. I hope to see an improvement soon, and will welcome ANY and ALL suggestions! __________________ http://samshuford.com/Bonnie My Blog, BBQ, GSD, and whatever http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1033620

09-08-2009, 01:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bruce Wilson Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 49	Re: Is this aggression or herding? I think she's just curious about the other occupants of the house. I'd leash her and introduce her to the cats. Who knows, she may have had a cat as her best friend in the past. 18 month old, no barking / growling... probably just wants to meet them.

09-08-2009, 02:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,177	Re: Is this aggression or herding? Sounds like curiosity to me. How are the cats reacting? __________________ Paul

09-08-2009, 03:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sammy J. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Summrville, SC USA Posts: 35	Re: Is this aggression or herding? A bit nervous; most likely from her excitement. One of three came into our bedroom, with our new dog asleep on the floor, climbed up on our bed just like normal. And was fine, until our dog was invited on our bed, and saw the cat. __________________ http://samshuford.com/Bonnie My Blog, BBQ, GSD, and whatever http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1033620

09-08-2009, 06:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
scannergirl Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Outer Banks, NC Posts: 2,255	Re: Is this aggression or herding? Even if it's purely playful the dog can severly injure the cats so please be careful. I have a dog who's obsessed with my cat and she WILL hurt her- I don't think it's intentional but it really doesn't matter- dead is dead. __________________ Lisa Owned by: Lucina v Dare, GSD Fancy Me Deuce (Tedy) APHA gelding Purple Haze Nirvana AQHA mare Trooper rescue kitty and senior fur kid

09-08-2009, 08:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sammy J. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Summrville, SC USA Posts: 35	Re: Is this aggression or herding? OH how right you are. They got nose to nose this morning, under a tight lead control. I hope things will smooth out, it has already tappered off. Here is our new girl, Nina. __________________ http://samshuford.com/Bonnie My Blog, BBQ, GSD, and whatever http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1033620

09-08-2009, 08:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Minnieski Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,021	Re: Is this aggression or herding? Sounds like curiosity to me too. Minnie loved to investigate cats until one put her in her place. Now she's scared of them, ha. __________________ Minnie - CGC Tanner

09-08-2009, 08:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
ripgretchen Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 78	Re: Is this aggression or herding? beautiful girl...

09-08-2009, 08:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sammy J. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Summrville, SC USA Posts: 35	Re: Is this aggression or herding? I was hopping for that, in a mild way, just enough to get the message through. Maybe as pack leader I have to do that! __________________ http://samshuford.com/Bonnie My Blog, BBQ, GSD, and whatever http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1033620

09-13-2009, 10:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
Riley's Mom Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,609	Re: Is this aggression or herding? It sounds like curiosity to me, too. I'd be careful of a tight leash because that in my training/teaching can make for aggression whereby a loose leash will not. Now, obviously that has to be done w/care due to these special circumstances. But if you are tense when you do this, the dog's going to pick up on it and things will probably go badly for a meet'n'greet then. What if you put the dog in a crate and let the cats walk by/near the crate and see what happens? At least then a visual introduction is better than a door they can't see thru. Watch the reaction and take it from there. __________________ Deb • Riley & Nissa Rainbow Bridge • Damien Katy Crocket Kayla Gypsy Toby http://www.rileysplace.org German Shepherd Dog Blog http://www.furkidswebsites.com • web sites for Rescues, Shelters and Pets

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