I have a 12 week old GSD. I think she is practically a perfect puppy. She is so smart. I have had no problem teaching her all kinds of commands like sit, drop it, off etc.
I also have a 10 year old tabby cat. The cat has never been around dogs before.
When ever the puppy sees the cat she chases after it. If she corners the cat or the cat jumps up on a piece of furniture the puppy dances around and barks at the cat. It is clear that the puppy just wants to play. Of course the 10 year old cat has no interest in playing with the puppy. I am concerned that what is a play chase at 12 weeks can become a bit more serious when the puppy is older.
The cat will usually (after running around a bit) jump up on a piece of furniture. If the puppy gets to close she will hiss and “bat” at the puppy. The cat’s claws have never actually made contact with the puppy. To make matters worse, I think the cat is instigating the chases on purpose. When ever the puppy is resting, eating or other wise just being a good puppy the cat will wander into the room. If the puppy doesn’t notice her right away she will meow. Then the chase is on.
I always try to stop the chase before it starts. I will kneel down stop the puppy from running after the cat. I have to hold on to the puppy until the cat has left the room because the puppy is totally focused on the cat when it is eyesight. I can only stop the chase when I am particularly fast. If I drop my guard for one second that is when the cat is sure to wander in the room and get the puppy riled up.
I never thought this would be a problem. Growing up we always had “tom cats” that weren’t afraid to put a chasing puppy in her place. My current cat doesn’t seem to actually want to make contact with the puppy and the hissing/bating doesn’t seem to scare to puppy at all.
What do I do?
I also have a 10 year old tabby cat. The cat has never been around dogs before.
When ever the puppy sees the cat she chases after it. If she corners the cat or the cat jumps up on a piece of furniture the puppy dances around and barks at the cat. It is clear that the puppy just wants to play. Of course the 10 year old cat has no interest in playing with the puppy. I am concerned that what is a play chase at 12 weeks can become a bit more serious when the puppy is older.
The cat will usually (after running around a bit) jump up on a piece of furniture. If the puppy gets to close she will hiss and “bat” at the puppy. The cat’s claws have never actually made contact with the puppy. To make matters worse, I think the cat is instigating the chases on purpose. When ever the puppy is resting, eating or other wise just being a good puppy the cat will wander into the room. If the puppy doesn’t notice her right away she will meow. Then the chase is on.
I always try to stop the chase before it starts. I will kneel down stop the puppy from running after the cat. I have to hold on to the puppy until the cat has left the room because the puppy is totally focused on the cat when it is eyesight. I can only stop the chase when I am particularly fast. If I drop my guard for one second that is when the cat is sure to wander in the room and get the puppy riled up.
I never thought this would be a problem. Growing up we always had “tom cats” that weren’t afraid to put a chasing puppy in her place. My current cat doesn’t seem to actually want to make contact with the puppy and the hissing/bating doesn’t seem to scare to puppy at all.
What do I do?