Getting Concerned Now

Chester B is a almost 3 year old yellow lab. Gizmo (the cat) is 12 weeks old and we got him the Thursday before Christmas Eve. I put the kitten in his carrier and sat him on the kitchen floor so Chester could sniff him. When he noticed the kitten was in there, he started barking his head off. Seems it gets worse when Chester B sees me picking up the cat. He barks worse. I am trying to give it time. Chester B doesn't want anything to do with Gizmo, but I think it's out of jealousy and resentment. That's why I 'm afraid that he will hurt the kitten. It's so hard keeping two pets in a townhouse that don't get along. We either have to have the kitten out and Chester downstairs behind a gate or vice versa. I am really starting to get concerned. My husband did hold the kitten and Chester B sat beside him for a picture, but growling at the kitten the whole time. I wish I had an answer. Thank you all for your advice and words of wisdom!!

First realize that your dog and cat may never be best friends. They can achieve a mutual toleration for each other if you handle the situation correctly. Remember we are talking about a lab with a natural hunting instinct and one that has from the sounds of it never been introduced to cats before. You will have work ahead of you. Don't expect miracles in a few days. It may take weeks or months to achieve the desired result of mutual toleration without attack mode on the dogs brain or defense on the cats. But it can be done.

Dogs are pack animals and cats are not. This means that you have to establish the cat as higher on the heirarchy chart than the dog is. Everything must be done for the cat before the dog during this transition period. The cat is feed first, greeted first, everything first. You want to do this because it is more likely that the dog can kill the cat than the other way around if the situation is not monitored. Use the dogs sense of heirarchy to your advantage.

Never leave the dog and cat alone in uncontrolled situations. Crate the dog when the cat is in the same room. If he barks uncontrollably then give him a verbal cue to quiet. If he doesn't have a verbal to quiet then use a squirt bottle filled with lemon juice and squirt it at him while saying quiet or SSSSHHHHH. When he does get quiet reward him and tell him good quiet. He must be under control (no barking at all) in the crate for at least a week before you even consider letting him out with the cat in the room. This does not mean to leave the dog in the crate all the time. You will need to seperate the dog and cat in different rooms during "non training" periods. Introduce them to each other several times a day. The more the better but all under controlled environments set up with you as the alpha over both of them.

After the dog achieves a week of controlled behavior while the cat is in the room, let him come out but again in a controlled environment. This may require the dog to be muzzled (a halti collar may be sufficient since this is a lab we are talking about) and/or a prong collar used temporarily if you can not control the dog on a leash. If your dog knows obedience commands, now is a great time to use them. Put the dog on a down stay and let the cat come into the room. If the dog lunges, give him a correction making sure to reinforce the desired behavior of being tolerant of the cat. I can not stress enough the reinforcement of the desired behavior more than the correction of the unwanted behavior. I am only suggesting corrective measures because the dog has the potential to serious hurt or kill the cat and this requires corrective measures in addition to learning desired behaviors. Basically, it is not just teaching the dog to sit and down.

After a period of time you will be able to determine if you can move forward by removing the muzzle from the dog. It may take weeks so be patient. Remember to reinforce the cat as a higher pack member than the dog at all times, especially when the dog can see it. Always leave the dog on a leash until you are 100% positive they can be in the same room and either be friends or ignore each other.

This can be done depending on your willingness to invest in the time and energy it will take to accomplish the task. My two Goldens and our cat, Marty, are best of friends. Marty will lay with the dogs and groom them for hours. Let me know if you have any questions.

what has already been suggested sounds good but I would also add a treat for the dog every time you pet or touch the cat treat the dog so he knows he is still loved to .. and that might get rid of the resentment and wanting to eat the cat.. cus if you don't pet the cat the dog doesn't get food .. kinda like clicker training except instead of clicking pet the cat.. treat the dog.....

if you want to be testy with your dog teach it with clicker training not to move .. set a toy on its back and teach the dog to cuddle with the toy in many differnt positions.. make sure the toy smells like and resembles the cat...

then put a muzzle on the dog and take the real cat and move it closer and closer to the dog treating the dog for staying still and hopefully not groweling.. and sooner or later you get the dog to cuddle with your cat.. trust me it works.. here is a pic check it out.. my dog sooo wanted to eat my guinea pig and now they are soo cute together