Australian Cattle Dogs >

Group Thread Listing


ACDs vs Cats!! Need some help!

   
Rascal

622854		 
 
Barked: Wed Sep 9, '09 2:29pm PST 
Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I are talking about moving in together. However, I have an 8 1/2 yr old male ACD who DOES NOT like cats. In fact, anytime he sees one, he tries to go after it. My boyfriend has a cat who is very laid back. I have a feeling that if my dog sees his cat, there will be bloodshed!

Any suggestions or advice would greatly be appreciated. I can't see my dog being outside after being an inside dog all his life, especially living in South Texas!

Thanks!
my page | msg me | gift me | become pals
Peaches

1002626		 
 
Barked: Thu Sep 10, '09 11:50am PST 
You need to remember a couple of things about ACD's. #1 - They're herders. Anything that moves fast, they will naturally want to chase and likely herd. #2 - They're very intelligent. You can teach a heeler to do (or NOT do) just about anything.

So, my first recommendation is to have boyfriend (I'm assuming it's his cat) hold the cat while sitting on a couch or chair. Let the dog in and see how he reacts. You should come in and sit down right next to him to monitor your dog and be there in case he decides to go apes*** on the cat. Keep feeding the dog treats as long as he's friendly. this will start to make him associate the cat with something he likes (treats).

DO NOT keep him on a leash. this can make him feel restrained and make him even more determined to get the poor, unsuspecting kitty. ACD's were bred to take a kick to the face from a cow and keep on coming, so holding him back with a leash isn't going to help.

If he sniffs the cat and doesn't react, let the cat free to investigate the dog. just watch for the dog's hackles (hair on his back) to stand up and his teeth to bare. If one or both of these things happen, scoop up the cat and stand up with him. if not, just supervise their time together for a while. It's likely that even if your heeler does get rough with the cat, the cat will learn to just stay away and keep to high ground where the dog can't get him.

Hope that made sense. let me know if you have any more questions.
my page | msg me | gift me | become pals
Rascal

622854		 
 
Barked: Fri Sep 11, '09 8:18am PST 
Thanks for the advice!

I had to take my dog to his house yesterday since I had to take him to my ex's. So Rascal met Skittles the cat and I had him on the leash because I was afraid of bloodshed lol. Well, Skittles has never seen a dog as big as Rascal so she was on guard the whole time. At first, Rascal didn't really pay much attention to her even when she was standing right in front of him. But once she started moving, oh yea, he noticed and started barking.

I'm really scared to let him off leash when he sees her. But I will try your suggestion and see what happens.
my page | msg me | gift me | become pals