Why growling?

[Sheryl]

During the day, Harley gets along fine with the cats. Pud doesn't really like him, and hisses if Harley gets too close, so Harley respects his space and doesn't get in his face too much. Punkin (the younger cat) is fearless, and will get up close and personal, try to play with Harley, and doesn't mind Harly licking and slobbering on him, etc. The only time Harley has growled at either one during the day is when they get too close to his food or Kong (I then throw a few really tasty bits in there so he associated the cats with something good). But for the last couple of weeks he growls at the cats if they get too close to him on the bed during the night (mostly Punkin, as Pud doesn't like to get too close to him). He has gone as far as to snap at the cat, never makes contact and I don't think he intends to hurt them just warn. But what do I do about it? I am usually asleep when it happens and wake up with the growl or snarl. I don't get it.

[Marsha]

I have no advice. We're still, 10 months later, working on getting our dog and cats to live in peace. I was just wanting to say that I'm not sure if there's an advisor in this section. I don't think the advisor from Doggiedoor has been here, and this section hasn't been as active as it was at doggiedoor. Hopefully someone out there will be able to help you, though.

[Amber]

Mind you I don't have cats, as my mother is allergic and I am living with her while I am in college. Nor do I have a vast knowledge of cats. I do have to say, though, that it sounds like Harley just really likes his sleeping spot. It sounds like he is guarding it. Is there some way you can just restrict the cats from being in the room where Harley sleeps?

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Sheryl~ The only time Harley has growled at either one during the day is when they get too close to his food or Kong (I then throw a few really tasty bits in there so he associated the cats with something good).

Make sure you give him treats when the cats are around BEFORE he growls. If you give him the treats after he growls you will be rewarding the growling :eek:


But for the last couple of weeks he growls at the cats if they get too close to him on the bed during the night (mostly Punkin, as Pud doesn't like to get too close to him). He has gone as far as to snap at the cat, never makes contact and I don't think he intends to hurt them just warn. But what do I do about it? I am usually asleep when it happens and wake up with the growl or snarl. I don't get it

I agree with Amber that he wants the cats to leave him alone at night time when he's on his bed. In my opinion this is a reasonable request :wink: However we don't want him to get really upset about it & have the situation escalate. I suggest you set up some practice sessions to help with this-

Have H go to his bed.
Be ready with a bag of yummy treats
Let the cat(s) into the room
The second the cats enter the room begin feeding H
Continue to feed until the cats leave or until you remove the cats

Practice this often during the day and at bedtime.

[Randy Jane]

The suggestions you received make sense. I'm still trying to figure out my dog and cat's behavior. My pup is 8 months old now and still chases the cat. He tackles the cat, pins him down, chews on his ears ( not hard, but still...)
I try to stop him. He knows "leave it", but it only works if I say it BEFORE he gets to the cat. Sometimes the cat jumps up to get away from the dog; other times he lets the dog tackle him. He swipes at him, but I guess not hard cause the dog never yelped. Sometimes when they go at it, you'd think they were killing each other. But here's the thing. The dog only goes after the cat when I'm home. When they are home alone or with any other member of my family, the dog doesn't touch the cat. They will lay next to each other, drink from the same water bowl. So, do I continue to try to stop the dog from going after the cat, or do I leave them alone to duke it out. They are very close in size but the dog weighs 2 pounds more than the cat.

[Sheryl]

Sorry to post a question and then leave for a week or so... I was supposed to go to my sister's where I would have had internet access, but instead spent the week at a cabin in the mountains with no internet.
Thanks so much for the suggestions.... I will definately use them. I weighed Harley yesterday at the airport and he weighs 121 pounds. I definately wouldn't want him to do any serious damage to the cats.

[Susan Schue]

My pup is 8 months old now and still chases the cat. He tackles the cat, pins him down, chews on his ears ( not hard, but still...)
I try to stop him. He knows "leave it", but it only works if I say it BEFORE he gets to the cat. Sometimes the cat jumps up to get away from the dog; other times he lets the dog tackle him. He swipes at him, but I guess not hard cause the dog never yelped. Sometimes when they go at it, you'd think they were killing each other. They will lay next to each other, drink from the same water bowl. So, do I continue to try to stop the dog from going after the cat, or do I leave them alone to duke it out. They are very close in size but the dog weighs 2 pounds more than the cat.

I recently adopted an 8 month old min-pin/lab mix, Maggie,

http://www.geocities.com/vynlvxn/mutt2.jpg

and she goes after my young cat, Tiny, often. The way I figure it Tiny has claws and knows how to use them, and if it was really annoying him he would have done so numerous times by now, and Maggie would leave him alone. Tiny was raised by my 3 yr old mutt after being dumped on my porch as a tiny kitten, they are good pals who play, groom each other, and often sleep together.

http://www.geocities.com/vynlvxn/critterlove.JPG

I tell Bonzo that Tiny is his kitty, because Tiny is a maniac in so many ways, and I blame it all on Bonzo's influence.

We won't talk about what Tiny tried to do to Bonzo right before he got neutered, but I do have pictures :shock: Plus I figure it's karma for the cat, who used to be constantly chasing my 15 yr. old cat around, he's getting a taste of his own medicine now.

Last night at one point I had Tiny race by over the back of the couch, chased by Maggie, who was being chased by Bonzo, good times! Later the same evening, all 4 critters were lounging with me on the couch, without fireworks. That's when life is good.

If they're going to work it out they will, provide the cat with escape spaces, where the dog can't follow, and let them go at it. Worked for us except for the 15 yr. old cranky cat, who at best ignores them, and at worst jumps into the middle of the battle hissing and scratching.

[Sheryl]

I used your suggestions and am happy to report that Harley hasn't growled at the cats at all for the last five nights!
My old cat hates pretty much everything that has four legs, but given enough time she did come to terms with both the chocolate lab and the small mutt that my husband and I had (he kept them all when we split up). I only made moves to break it up when it looked like someone was going to get hurt (the cat was declawed). They actually became great friends!

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Sheryl~

I'm glad things are going well over there! Thanks for letting us know aout your success!

[QUOTE=Sheryl Evett]I used your suggestions and am happy to report that Harley hasn't growled at the cats at all for the last five nights!

[De Clark]

Freesia and Dusty went thru this too. We have a gate up on one room so that Dus has a safe place to go and to keep Freesia out of the litter box. It was a constant hiss & spit fest for about 4 months then Dusty realized she is bigger but not dangerous. Freesia wants to play bad she hops up & down and back and forth and the kitty will just lay there until she gets to close then he will hiss and swat at her. This went on for another couple of months now Dusty will come out and lay around and all is ok untill Dusty feels Freesia is too close then he hisses and she backs away. They have sat within inches of each other so I guess they will eventually be friends just have to have patience I guess. Best of luck with yours hope there will be a happy ending.