So I see Axel has let the cat out of the bag We brought home the cat we are going to foster trial for a bit to see how she fits in. She's wonderful with people, loves attention from them. But she doesn't like dogs, she hisses and swats them. So I have been making sure that they don't see each other, just able to smell each other scents. So finally yesterday I let Odie in her room to see her. I didn't let him go as he is a very dominant and in your face little guy, but also very excited and wanting to meet her. She was hissing while I held him back. After about a minute I decided that was enough, truthfully was probably 30 seconds. Anyways, then I held her so Axel could see her, and he freaked out! I was shocked! He was barking and growling and hackles up. I was completely beside myself. This of course panicked Chloe so I put her in her room and that was that. Today I had Axel behind a gate and I let Chloe walk by the gate and he was interested, tail wagging a bit, ears down, nose going, then up his hackles went and and he growled. Sigh this will take longer than I thought and I'm thinking this won't actually work out after all. But maybe this is perfectly normal? Maybe this will take a few weeks or more? Any advice on how to proceed or should I follow my gut and give her back so soon?
Axel was probably most surprised by seeing you hold her. Dogs can find 'things being held' (babies, other dogs, cats...) really weird. I'd say that you can get to the point where the dogs will be ok with the cat, but it will just take work (ie training). The most important thing is that the dogs are never ever, never, never, ever given the opportunity to chase the cat. Once they discover how much fun that is you will have an uphill task trying to recover from that. So, keep the barrier up and/or leads on and reward heavily for being still and calm around the cat. How long can you keep her before you have to make up your mind?
If Chloe is confident and you don't think she'd run away, I'd pop a lead on A&O and introduce them to Chloe that way. Let her hiss and swipe at them (as long as she doesn't get their eyes) and they'll learn that a cat (well, just Chloe) means business. Of my 3, only top cat Daisy will be in the same room as Xena, but Daisy is the HBIC and won't run or shy away from anything. My other two are slowly becoming more confident but won't even come into the same room as Xena. I would never have even been able to do on-lead introductions because they fled under the beds the second Xena came home. I'd take your cues from Chloe, but if you think that she shows nervous/scaredy cat tendencies I wouldn't keep her because a nervous cat is hard.work.
Thanks @Oberon and @Xena Dog Princess I'll try putting them on a lead and see what she does. Last night I was brave enough to open her door so Odie could walk in, she has lots of hiding spots in there if needed, so I felt ok with this. She stopped what she was doing and watched Odie. All the while Odie was quivering with excitement and whining and excited 'grunting' (he's very talkative) but he didn't go in, just stood at the door way. Once she was satisfied with the lack of coming after her she turned around and continued to do her own thing. So as soon as that happened I rewarded Odie and I closed the door. Baby steps. This weekend I will have them on the lead and armed heavily with treats and see how it goes. I do worry she will swipe their eyes and nose I would never forgive myself if something happened to their eyes
Aw Chloe is beautiful just like a cat I had years ago called Poppy. Hattie lived with a cat and a kitten from a puppy, the cats ruled her without a doubt, one swipe on the nose was enough for her to back off, so I don't have any advice but I'm sure you can sort it out with careful training and introductions. x
Not good she had swiped both of them and cut them and I just didn't want to worry about their eyes so we took her back. She was pretty skittish so I remembered your advice about if she is confident or not, I would say she wasn't. She was adorable and perfect for someone who didn't have any other pets. She will find the perfect home just for her
I'm sorry it didn't work out, but this is what trial situations are for. You might have got there eventually with a lot of patience, but you know where I stand on that - better to have a cat who's confident from the get go
What a shame! It definitely sounds like you did the right thing, for all their sakes (and your sanity) Well done for trying x
So sorry but you did the right thing you just need a cat thats bossy and stands its ground. i also had a luck introducing a kitten she was raised dogs and a real princess who looked at them regaly and expected them to obey.
