Cats terrified of new dog

[JMK]

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading this thread. We are getting a puppy in two weeks and I am worried about our kitties. We plan to also have boundaries and I like the idea of having him sit or lay down if he starts chasing. My Charlie is a lot like Zoe, always my shadow and sitting in my lap. I just want our cats to feel comfortable and safe ... that is our goal! This thread gave me good ideas ... Thanks!

[MowMow]

I think it depends on the cats temperament and the age of the dog...and the size of the puppy. When we got our Alaskan Malamute she was soooo tiny. Our cat had grown up with two dogs and he was used to them but for some reason he was really worried about that puppy. At every opportunity he just TORTURED her.

He'd never attack or hurt her...he'd just stare at her. He'd slowly herd her into a corner and stare at her. She'd cry and cry and cry until one of us came to rescue her. It used to annoy me but I'll tell you...he taught her a VERY strong sense of respect for cats. I remember her trying to chase him a few times and he'd whip around and lunge straight for her instead of trying to get away. I never saw him abuse or physically hurt her and for a breed that had a strong prey drive she was great with all cats. Even when she'd see feral cats on the farm she'd watch them with interest and might try to approach with curiosity but when they ran she never gave chase.

Same thing when I was growing up, we had an old calico female that lived in the house for mouse catching. She was hardly a pet since we weren't allowed to touch her or feed her (she might get lazy and stop doing her job) but she was GREAT at training puppies. She was gentle but VERY firm. She was the master of using just enough force to get her point across.

I'd kind of wait and see Since you're getting a puppy and it will be small and probably easily intimidated your kitties might just deal with the situation themselves.

This is the day we brought her home.

[StormChaser]

Wow I can't believe it's been a year since last posting... time flies, for sure!! I hope everything is going well for Snarfums and JMK! If you happen to see this post, can you give an update?

Riley, Asia and Zoe have all come to mutual agreements with one another. Asia loves having him around to torment, I am absolutely convinced. Zoe would much rather be rid of him but because she loves me she tolerates him. He still chases them, as one poster said he always will - it is definitely true. But, it is in no way an aggressive chase... it's definitely an "I wanna play!!" chase. That is his absolute favorite game (you should see the goofball at the dog park with other dogs), but unfortunately the kitties do not share his love of this. Asia just gets so mad that she'll lie in stalk mode and then pounce out hissing and swatting when he least expects is. Zoe has become extremely adept at keeping just out of his reach and slipping in thru tight spaces to hid... I'm fairly convinced she's a ninja.

Things have gone back to where they were with the cats pre-dog. Zoe sleeps on my lap now even if Riley is right next to me. Both cats roam the house freely as they had before. There is no close relationship between species, but we've come home to find all three sleeping soundly on the bed together, so there is trust between them all. All in all I am very, very happy with how things turned out. All things in due time, so true!!

Here are some updated pics

Asia showing her dominance over Riley (she won't let him pass into my office):



Zoe and Riley (excuse the mess, it was laundry day :


Riley Now:


Happy Boy: