Yikes....she has a high "prey drive"?? Hmmm... that doesn't sound too good to me.... I'd go very very slow if I were you...and never ever leave that kitten alone with the dog....

 

Well,

almost any dog will chase kittens if given the chance. We'd never let her off lead around them until they're old enough to be able to get away from her if she chased them.

I just thought that maybe someone would have a good idea or two.

We currently have a cat who is an adult and my dog does not bother him. Kittens are a different story, because they are smaller and quicker and the dog is curious about them.

 

I have three large dogs, none of them with any sort of prey drive (herding, yes). It was several months before I was comfortable leaving them together instead of in separate rooms - and my dogs are terrified of the cat because she might scratch them again.

For any dog with a high prey drive, I would never leave them alone together. As in never, ever. Well, maybe when the dog is old and cripple, but not until then. I just don't want to come home to cat guts all over the house. Or dog guts.

I love the fact that you are using the leash - excellent decision. How old is the dog?

 

Ive found when a dog with high prey drive is actually being held back by a lead, or separated from the animal by a cage it tends to increase their drive to get to the animal. If you treat it more causal like there's no big deal the dog will start to realise this and act the same. Im not saying to have him off the lead just yet though, that could be dangerous. Insead while hes on the lead try to stop him from getting excited and pulling, do you have a command the dog understands such as 'drop it' or 'leave it' when he's told to let go of a toy or not to touch food? If so use that otherwise tell him to 'stay' and just get him to lie down and distract him with a toy or something so that he gets used to being around the kittens and begins to realise that they arnt all that interesting.

Oh, I should also add that you should ignore the kittens and give all your attention to the dog when you have them together, if the dog see you watching or giving attention to the kittens he may feel threatened. Only once the dog loses that excited interest in the kittens is it safe to have him off the lead but always keep an eye on him.

 

Have you started out by putting the kittens in a cage or carrier and letting him smell over over them and get a nice close look in which case you wouldn't need the lead or have to pull him away?

What kind of dog is he?

 

I have a golden retriever. (not at all high prey :lol: )I started to introduce them after about a week of my kitten being home. We would bring up her towels and let our dog sniff them. Then we held the kitten a few feet away from Ginger (dog). It took about two months for Kaia to stop Hissing at her. Now they are friends. Will sleep very close to each other, Kaia will lick Ginger's paw. If Ginger is trying to sleep, or chew her bone. She will let off a little warning growl,Kaia knows to back off.

i would try,
-letting your dog sniff the kittens things
-put the kittens in the carrier, while supervising them together.

 

Well, my dog is fine with the older cat who isn't as active. But, she also grew up with him.

To answer some questions: she's a Keeshond (pronounced Kayz-Hond in case you are curious). I guarentee that no one has heard of them :lol: Which is actually a good thing, IMHO.

They're a more primitive breed and look rather like 40 lb pomeranians. They are known as cat chasers, but since she grew up with one cat (and leaves him alone) I figured it would be OK to add in the kittens.

I think that it will just take extra time to introduce them and we'll have to make sure to do it carefully.

I DO think that in time with the proper conditioning that we won't have to keep her on lead 100% of the time when the kitties are around.

As for what has happened so far, we've only introduced them one time and that was for about 30 minutes. She was on lead the whole time and was corrected for any "bad" behavior she displayed. The "bad" behavior was generally termed as whining, the struggling against the leash, the attempts to chase the kittens, etc.

Nothing severe you understand, but a leash pop and a firm "NO!"

When she ignored the kittens, she was given a treat and praised.

The one piece of advice that we haven't tried is to have the dog in one carrier and the kittens in another and have them explore each other through the bars of a cage.

We will try that later today.

I think it will just take lots of time and patience on our end and I will keep you updated. I'm just glad that we have enough room to separate everyone and still let everyone have enough room to play and live.

To Jimmyness: Yes, Orchid is very well trained. She knows how to fetch, heel, sit, come, "leave it," "kennel" etc. She has a broad vocabulary for a dog :lol:

Its just that when she sees something running she wants to chase it and goes "deaf" to what we're saying. We're working on this with her in general, not just with the kittens.

To Mom of 4: Orchid is almost two. She's currently in her second heat and I think that's why she's so crazy right now. Normally, she's not quite so drivey. BTW- we do show her on a regular basis and are in the process of getting her American CH. title so that's why she's not spayed.

 

I would also incorporate some positive reinforcement with the dog. Still use a lot of caution for a long time but try the positive reinforcement also.

Everytime the dog is near the kitten and is in a calm state, give the dog her most yummy treat. A bit of human lunch meat, cooked chicken, whatever is the most decadent treat your dog loves. The kitten comes in the room, the dog gets a treat . Over time she will not focus on the prey (kitten) but she will look for the treat and learn that with the kitten comes good things.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the advice, gsc.

We actually have been doing that. If you read the last post I made carefully, you'll see that when she ignores the kittens she gets a treat.

We're trying to do things the "right" way so that everyone can live together in harmony. Or, something like harmony, LOL!

 

I know the Keeshond. :wink:

 

Wonderful dogs, aren't they? (Of course I'm very biased as she's my best girl)

Most people are like, "Wow, what a pretty husky mix!" and rush to pet her. Others are like, "OMG a chow!!! Is she mean???"

Anyway, the introduction this evening went so well that we don't leash her any more.

They walked up to her and tried to nurse and she started cleaning their faces, ears and rear ends...

Shew!!!!!

She's full of surprises. Mostly the good kind. :roll:

 

Glad to hear it!

We used to have a Keeshond, too! Sweetest little dog in the world!