New Puppy and cats

[Guest Anonymous]

I will be getting my 10-1/2 week old teacup female Yorkie tomorrow and I want to know how to introduce her to my three declawed cats. A female calico of 7 yrs, red male tabby of 7 yrs and male black tabby of 3-1/2 yrs. Spayed and neutered. I realize that cats are territorial but only when another cat is brought in. I'm hoping that one or all will take to this tiny little puppy and adopt her. What do I do when I leave the house, etc. etc. I've had dogs before with no problem but never together with cats. All ideas will be most welcome. Thank you.

[Guest roo]

:o :o :o
declawed :cry:

[Carolk9s]

Having had no experience introducing a pup to resident cats, I'll offer ideas anyway! :D Just some thoughts mind you. Do you cats come to you for attention? Are they affectionate with you? Perhaps when you first bring the pup in, just sit quietly with pup in your lap or arms, if cats approach give quiet praise to all. I would try to prevent pup from yapping at cats, they don't seem to like dogs yelling stuff at them. Take it slow, don't force the dog on them, let the cats take the lead. I would absolutely separate the dog from the cats when you will not be around to supervise. Do you already have a crate home for your little dog? This could be a safe haven for the pup to keep him/her from dangers. Being that the cats are declawed, they might be more inclined to bite the pup if they feel threatened or just put upon.
Roo, I have mixed feelings about cats being declawed. My moms cat is declawed, she does not seem to really know it. Of course she is an indoor cat. She will stretch herself up on the couch or chair and 'scratch' away with a look of bliss on her face. She's doing no damage but satisfying that urge. When the dogs walk by as she's stretched out on a chair, she'll reach out and whack 'em with both paws, lightening quick. Scares the heck out of them each time. Jesse will poke his big nose in her face, she will smack him quite soundly while he stands there grinning. If she DID have claws, the first time she 'stung' Jesse, he would try his best to kill her.

[mouseatthebusstop]

same as interducing any new animal full care. a safe haven a create to leave the puppy in when you are not there to watch them and don't rush it :) :P :P let us know how you get on

[Shannon_C]

Hi WP Bred.

When i bring a new puppy or kitten home i carefully introduce them by holding the newcomer in my arms first, allowing them to only look at each other without any harm done, then watching carefully by putting the pup or kitten on the floor to have a sniff and wonder around, getting used to his new strange home, baring in mind that there will be dangers like live wires/plugs etc that will get chewed if the pup finds them.
With your cats there will be slight hissing and arching of backs, but there isnt nothing to worry about as long as you keep a careful eye on your puppy from lashing paws and making sure that she doesnt think that the cats are playthings, if she decides she is going to chase, bark or even nip...then you should be gentle but firm and say 'NO everytime she does something she should'nt, using that thrase often (only when done something wrong) never smack her for being bad or scream at, this will crush a puppy and will only make matters worse, your pup needs to know that she is bottom and your top, if she gets a bit too much to handle then take her into another room preferably where she will have her own crate...which is a good training aid, but it must be used properly. (Getting back to cats in a moment) a crate is supposedly a place/den that your puppy can call his/her own once used to it but first it as to be the right size otherwise your pup will have accidents using it as a toilet.
Lets just say for a Yorkies size, the smallest crate will do, that you can get on the market for a reasonable price. First you should put her bed at one end and food and water the other, coax her in gently by throwing a dog biscuit in or some cheese, also a few toys...when she is in there and feels comfortable, you can close the door for a few minutes staying in the room with her, let her out again...'this is so she doesnt see it as punishment and knows that the crate isnt a threat', (it will also help when leaving her alone when you go out) and by doing this often she will start to feel more comfortable, and then you can start leaving her in the crate longer leaving the room, but in between doing this...you must take her to the toilet outside, whenever she wakes, drinks, eats and play so that she doesnt have any accidents. Once she is accustomed to her own sleeping quarters, then you will be able to introduce her to the cats more easily, it will be a safer haven for her and your cats...also getting her used to wearing a collar and lead will also be helpful in preventing her from jumping on your cats when she wants to play, but giving her a toy to distract her attention to them will also help. Patience is all that is needed and in time you will have the best relationship with your new bundle of joy.

Good Luck
Let us know how you get on with her!

[science_doc]

Slightly off topic and just to satisfy a question that has been nagging at my mind for awhile.....Do you guys think that if a one year old dog was smacked in the face with a declawed cat paw that could make the dog cat aggressive? Or on the other hand is being cat aggressive more dependent on prey drive and attitiude of the dog? I was just wondering about people's opinions on this topic if they had one.

[Carolk9s]

Science_Doc,
I think that if the dog was smacked just once, not much hissing/spitting and certainly no biting, it would depend on the dogs personality more. JMHO, I feel this way because Jesse the Belgian is very cat aggressive. Years ago when we lived at home with my mom, there was a neighbors cat that would come over the fence to play and/or chase Jesse around the yard. Jesse was fairly young and seemed to enjoy Tom coming to visit. He would poke his nose at the cat until the cat chased him.

Tom was not declawed, as Jesse got bolder and closer, Tom nailed him a few times. I saw as Jesse became more and more aggressive towards Tom, actually trying to bite him. Luckily Tom's people moved soon and took Tom with them.
My mom's cat does not care for dogs in HER house. She whacks them every chance she gets, will lie in wait and reach through the back of the dining room chairs. At first, Jesse would react as though killing her was the ONLY thing on his mind. The teeth would flash and the snarls were serious. However, he quickly realized that she was not 'stinging' him. She is declawed. With time and some work on our parts, his aggression has significantly decreased. He will actually stand there while she rat-a-tat-tats on his nose wagging his tail. He still pokes her with that nose, he wants her to get off her lazy bum and chase him!

[ShadyLady]

I have a cat that loves dogs I mean sleeps eats ect she calmly walks up to them and rubs her self on them every now and then we get a new pup that go whoopie !! lets chase the cat and she runs under the car and if they dare chase her she turns around and gets them in a head lock and growls at them and from that point the dogs learn to respect her from then on. On the other hand my other cat will run and get up on a fence or hide so I think it really depends on the cat as to how the situation will pan out , only you know your cats so watch the body language and mabey introduce the pup to the most confident cat (or the one less likely to run chasing is something that appeals to all puppies!!) so you are setting a good scene . Good luck anyway!! :fadein:

[gooeydog]

Teacup Yorkie?? :o

[Horsefeathers!]

gooeydog napisał(a):

Teacup Yorkie?? :o

:o <<<Me with sealed lips. Goo, I wanted to go there, too...

[Hobbit]

Horsefeathers! napisał(a):

gooeydog napisał(a):

Teacup Yorkie?? :o

:o <<<Me with sealed lips. Goo, I wanted to go there, too...

Go girl!