Talk of a kitten

[tikeyas_mom]

Thanks for all the advise and storys everyone.. I went out yesterday and bought Tikeya a new Choke chain, leash, and double leash for Tikeya and Ebony to go for walks on.. I am going to def bring a little blanket with me, when we go see the kitten.. I am going to get the kittens sent and then let Tikeya sniff it.. I will Def NOT let Tikeya around the kitten without a leash on, and a choker.. I know it may sound harsh to some, but I know for sure that she will have to be corrected... a couple times at least...


Wish me luck!! and expect lots of pics .

PS If the kitten doesn't work out, she will be rehomed... my mom and dad have been thinking about adding a kitten to their home. And both their dogs love cats... So they will have no worries.

[cyber-sibes]

I think it really depends on the dog. Karen is right, though, it only takes a second for it all to end badly for the kitten. Sibes are fast. You do hear about Siberians killing cats pretty often. (Even Tamara lost one of her house cats to her dogs)

[lute]

I can't help you any. My RB Gracie had a very high prey drive. She got several of my chickens and even my brother's kitten. I've met only one Sibe that wouldn't gladly gnaw on a little critter. I hope you can find a way to introduce her and the kitten with no accidents.

[Seravieve]

All I can offer is hope...

No positive cat & dog stories here... Zeke de-tailed J's cat a couple years back. Bit and pulled all the skin right off of Jake's tail. 1 ER Vet trip & $350 later.. a cat with a nub for a tail.

It was REALLY sad. And disgusting for that matter.

I don't know that I'd even risk it honestly, if it were me. Knowingly adding a cat to a house with a dog who has a high prey drive.. sounds like a lot of hassle and ultimately trouble. Always having to worry about keeping doors shut or whatever.. Making sure they dont see each other. I'd say get a puppy! =) But I'm a dog person so.. lol.

[cyber-sibes]

I've been thinking about your situation all night -

I will Def NOT let Tikeya around the kitten without a leash on, and a choker...

Seriously, you might want to get a muzzle, she could have that kitten in her jaws before you even realize what just happened.

The concern here is that you already know Tikeya has a high prey drive. It's not like she is passive.

I do know people who have sibes & cats, quite a few. Most of them got the cats when the sibes were puppies. We raised Star with two cats, but Star was only 5 weeks old when we got her. I know that I would never even attempt to have a kitten with Jack around.

Should something happen, is you SO willing to accept that Tikeya is just being true to her nature? I'd hate to think he would punish her or hold it against her if something awful happens. Good luck.

[wolfsoul]

My coworker has a very high prey-drive pit bull who attacks other dogs with no warning. She has spent many months now taking her out on leash with a cage muzzle and introducing her, and has found her own ways to break through the dog's drive. I know how hard it is to reach a dog when they are in drive. I remember how badly Visa would scream and bite at me and grab my clothes if I tried to restrain her and make her calm down when we first started agility -- she would see the other dogs run, and if they were fast enough she would go into drive, and it's almost impossible to get into their head -- they don't see or hear anything but what they want to go after or what they wnt to do, and holding them back only sends them into a frenzy. I had to develop my own techniques to deal with a highly driven dog bred for the prey drive to do protection sports, and I think you can develop your own techniques for Tikeya and her prey drive to catch small prey.

I wouldn't use a cage muzzle with her, I would use a tight muzzle every time you introduce. I found this very helpful with my dogs when they go into drive. When dogs hear themselves screaming or barking, they tend to make themselves more excited (and I know how vocal Tikeya is LOL) and soon your voice is just a mere echo in the far off distance to them. They just go into a frenzy. The less they hear themselves, the better.

[luvofallhorses]

I would definately introduce slowly! I think dogs that have a high prey drive see that kittens especially baby baby ones are more prey than a full grown house cat.

[tikeyas_mom]

I wouldn't use a cage muzzle with her, I would use a tight muzzle every time you introduce. I found this very helpful with my dogs when they go into drive. When dogs hear themselves screaming or barking, they tend to make themselves more excited (and I know how vocal Tikeya is LOL) and soon your voice is just a mere echo in the far off distance to them. They just go into a frenzy. The less they hear themselves, the better.

Your right Tikeya is very Vocal lol.
Do you have a muzzle I can borrow haha? Visa is around the same sized face as Tikeya.

Lemme know ..

I met the kitten and its so friggen cute I hope this works out. I love it already and its not even gunna be home for 4 weeks lol