My daughter introduced home a kitten a week ago. This really is new territory consider we have ample room I'm prepared to try it out. The issue is that people have 4 dogs - golden retriever (12 yrs), choc lab (3 yrs), boston terrier (5 yrs) and british mastiff (7 mos). The golden retriever is definitely an outdoors only dog and also, since she hates felines I do not observe that relationship going anywhere. The lab is indoor/outside and undecided about felines. I made the decision to begin with the mastiff and also the boston being that they are inside. The kitten has "her room " now I believed the time had come to determine an amount happen. I began using the mastiff since he's mellow (although harder to keep) - it hurt his feelings when she hissed at him so he sitting through the door and pouted - an excellent start! I Quickly introduced boston in - he keeps starting "terrier" mode (thinking processes stops) and goes after her. I can not know if he'd really hurt her or maybe he's just really excited. Any suggestions?
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How Do I Get the Boston Terrier to Accept the New Kitten ??
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He is probably just very excited and curious, but needs to be closely monitored.
I proudly own a 5-year-old Boston Terrier, as well. =)
From what I understand, it’s a gentle and loving breed, and it shouldn’t have trouble accepting another pet. However, I tried purchasing another Boston Terrier puppy, and my current BT withdrew herself, and the puppy ended up scratching her Cornea. My boston terrier really got along with the cat, but for some reason, it wouldn’t get along with the other boston, so I’m not sure. Best asking a vet.
okay.. look I have had many dogs and cat and had to get them acquainted.. I’m a Trainer.. take time to sit in with the dog pet him get it settled down then get your daughter to bring the kitten and slowly tuck him to your arm..you said the cat was hard to Handel.. keep the head away dint let her see the dog.. stroke the cat then pet the dogs head.. give sweet signals while doing so tell her good boy… then slowly turn the cat around..this will take a while … place her on the floor the dog should not bark unless the cat profusely hisses if you want to see if he will hurt the cat it will show then.. usually terriers are curious and play-full …..
hope i helped you ..
let them sniff each other to figure out that it is nice, the cat may be a little aggressive but shouldnt hurt the dog but if the dog goes after the cat then you should hold him while telling him that the cat is ok. dogs can understand a lot of words that we would think they would be stumped about! try calmly talking him into being nice with the cat but if the cat goes after him back the cat away and try again but this time having someone else hold the cat.
Start slower….. Right now its not safe for the kitten and both the kitten and the dogs need to be introduced gradually. Keep them separated for now. Get a kennel for the cat and put her in it (not all the time, just when you want to have her around the dogs). Put it in an out of the way room (not the main space where the dogs are all the time) Walk a dog or all of the dogs by the cage on leash or at least in a controlled manner so they can’t leap for the cage and freak the kitten out more. Take treats with you and when the dogs are ignorning the cage (even for a few seconds) praise them and give them a treat. Once the dogs start ignorning the cage then move the cage out to where they are maybe up high on a table so they still can’t really get to her. Repeat what you did before praising them and giving them treats when they are ignorning the kitten. Once they start ignorning the kennel again for the most part, put it on the floor where they have better access to it and repeat. Then move to taking the kitten out and holding it while standing up for awhile (keeping the kitten away from the dogs) then when they are used to that, put the kitten in your lap… Once that is all ok….then start with ONE dog at a time allowing the kitten to interact with them. DO NOT let all the dogs at the kitten at once as pack mentality does tend to take over if one goes for the cat…they all will. Work up to two dogs, then the third dog. This is going to be a slow process…might take a month or maybe more depending on the dogs and kittens reaction to each step. Once the kitten realizes she’s safe in the kennel, she should relax more when the dogs come around her. Once the dogs realize the cat isn’t a chew toy..(ha) then they should start relaxing more around her. I will say…..with multiple dogs you are always going to have a bit of the pack mentality and if the cat takes off and runs even years down the road….the dogs are probably going to chase her even if they don’t intend on hurting her…its just in their nature. The prey drive is in their blood. Good luck
Lucky for you, I just went through this….I have a St Bernard and recently acquired a Calico tiger cat. Key to this is a SLOW, gradual process.
Progressions…
1st) Keep Cat and dogs in seperate rooms. Cat in one room, dog in other room
2nd) Swap….let the dogs sniff inside the cat’s room, and the cat sniff the dog’s area. Obviously 3 dogs in a small room…won’t last too long, but do it.
3rd) Rub a towel/blanket on the cat….stick this towel under the dog’s food dish….This allows the dogs to relate a positive experience (eating) with the cat’s scent. Do the same for the dog.
4th) Using a baby gate….open the cat’s door and allow the cat to see and observe the dog…make sure your big dogs can’t jump…let them sniff, hiss, bark, or whatever…should gradually die down
5th) Take your dogs on a very strenous, long walk, play with them….to the point where they are in a very calm, submissive state of mind….bring them inside on leashes, using treats…get them in down position….and let the kitten go….kitten maybe will be interested….and challenge the dogs by walking close to them to see if there is a reaction….this is whent the kitten can become confident….very important you have a good hold of the dogs, and they are very calm and quiet.
6th) leashes off and let the kitten free. Closely monitor behavior
—-the progressions…may take a day, may take a few weeks before you can move on….
for me….before I can trust them together alone….3 weeks, but my cat I acquired lived with a Rottweiler before, so it was use to a big dog…but my dog, Saint Bernard, i thought progressed quite fast.
Great progression….
Good luck and be patient with the process
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