My new kitten is 10 weeks old, and we've had him for a few days (His name is Sulu). We have an 11 week old German Shepherd (Bones) who is very curious about the kitten, but Sulu won't even give him a chance. We kept Sulu isolated in an empty room for the first day and a half, with a litter box, new toys, food & water, and a nice big cat tree. He warmed up to me within hours, despite how skittish he was at the shelter. By the next day, he had warmed up to my husband as well.
The night before last, we brought the puppy in the room (making sure that one of us was holding him, while the other held the kitten) but Sulu has never seen a dog before, and immediately hissed, growled, and swatted him. This, of course, frustrated the puppy, so he did his "but I wanna play!" bark, which just scared the kitten more. We took the puppy back out, but left the door open a crack so Sulu could come out if he wanted. Now he explores the house all he wants, and even slept with us last night, but still won't give Bones a chance. If the puppy even comes near him, he hisses, growls, and/or runs away.
Is it gonna stay like this, or will the kitten come around? Is there anything I can do to help the process? I eventually plan on having many animals, so I need to know that they'll get along, or at least tolerate each other. I think I've been scratched enough from the scared baby! Thanks in advance.
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Need advice on getting along with a puppy
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Since both your new family members are young, there's a good chance they will grow into friends. Right now, they are just establishing ground rules and determining whose going to be top cat (or dog).
Bones is probably a little frightening to Sulu as well. (Do you have a Spock and a Capt Kirk, as well?) If you can keep the dog from charging at the cat, it will help. Maybe you can try to introduce the kitty to Bones when Bones is sleeping. That will give Sulu a chance to discover that Bones is warm and furry.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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I thought about that, but Bones is a light sleeper. If you're across the room from him and go into another room, he will wake up and follow you. But he's gone right up to Sulu and sniffed him when the kitten wasn't paying attention. It wasn't until Sulu turned around and realized it was the dog, that he attacked and ran away. Bones is pretty good about being gentle and cautious, but when the kitten starts hissing and runs, he thinks it's play time.
And no, I don't have Capt. Kirk or Spock, lol. My husband and I aren't even big Star Trek fans, we just named the kitten Sulu because of how he was found, and later realized that there was a "Bones" McCoy on the show as well. -
I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. My oldest is my wire-haired dachshund and she is an equal opportunity haters. She tolerates Kasey my Australian Shepard/Boarder Collie mix. She absolutely detests Sherlock my Basset Hound puppy. She always growls at Deuter and Teaser--but they know how to deal with her. Kasey is terrified of the cats. A 70 pound dog that cowers in their presense. Then there is Sherlock. He is a fond lover of Deuter--it is mutual they are buddies. Teaser doesn't like any dogs and prefers to stay up away from dogs--they drool and have bad breath--that is what she says I am sure. It takes times to socialize animals, but the younger the better. Whatever bedding they sleep on, take it to the other animal for them to smell and get familiar with. That should begin the process. It takes time and a lot of energy. In the end it is worth every minute and you will have lifelong buddies on your hands!
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I have both cats and dogs aplenty. My dogs have all been trained not to attack cats, but are always very curious about new cats. The new cats always act like sulu, but eventually warm up to the dogs. Some of my cats even rub up against the dogs and nap with them.
I use baby gates to section off rooms where the dogs can't go but the cats can when they want a break.Posted 2 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #
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I've been planning on getting a baby gate, but it seems like they're sold out everywhere here. But that will definitely help. Sulu is getting more courageous, but still hisses at and runs from Bones. But he sleeps in our bed now, while the puppy's on the floor in the same room, and it doesn't bother him.
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