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Help me. . .
So, we got the rescue dog. We love her, she's sweet and adorable and has A LOT to learn (from what I can tell she spent most of her life in a kennel). However, the cats. Oh the cats.
She's around 6-8 months old, medium-sized and fast. My cats are older, and just not up for her hyperactivity. They've been separated for the past two weeks (they can see each other through a glass door), and so far her obsessively going over to the door and jumping and barking at them has not changed. We're working on basic commands (sit, stay, leave-it, come etc.) and manners (no it's not ok to jump on people/counters, or pull us down the street on your leash), but she's got quite a ways to go. This isn't our first dog, but I haven't had a puppy in ages, and while my last dog was obsessed with cats, I knew she only wanted to say hello. I don't know this dog yet.
So any, tips and/or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I really want this to work. I love my cats, and I'm happy we could give this sweet girl a home, but I'm a little frustrated.
Re: Help me. . .
Puppies are a handful! How long have you had her? Try to be patient because many things come with time, effort, and consistency. The FAQs (link at the top of the Pets board in the green banner) have some great info on training. I think you're doing the right thing by keeping them separated for now. Even once they are allowed to interact, I would monitor all interactions very closely and would give the cats a dog-free zone they can escape to at all times.
Regarding the issue with the pup jumping/barking at the cats when she sees them through the glass door, have you tried tethering her to you while you're inside so she can't charge the door, and you can easily lead her away if necessary? I would also work on the "look/watch me" command so you can get her attention if you see her start focusing on the cats. The "quiet" command has also worked well for me (start pairing the word "quiet" when she is already quiet and work up to being able to say it when you think she is about to bark in order to keep her quiet).
My second dog was quite the barker when we adopted him, especially when he saw things out the window (birds, squirrels, etc.). What worked really well was as soon as he barked (or made any noise, whining included), we closed the shade so he couldn't see the "fun" stuff anymore. We opened the shade when he was quiet. If he barked again, the shade went down. Repeat, repeat, repeat. He caught on within days. Now, he sits quietly and enjoys the view out the window, knowing that barking/whining make the view go away. Maybe worth a shot with the glass door?
Puppy obedience school for her asap -- and socializing her with other dogs starting asap.
It'll take awhile to assimilate a dog and cats.:) See your vet for tips how to facilitate the getting used to each other.:)
It is going to take time! Please be patient. Our cats have adjusted to not having full run of the house quite well, and they like their quiet space away from the dogs as well.
We put up a baby gate during the day to allow dogs/cats to sniff each other and watch each other. The cats have full run of our finished basement, and the dogs the upstairs. When we leave, we fully separate them with a closed door. Occasionally we leave the baby gate a little bit off the floor, which enables the cats to go under and interact with the dogs. They can make a quick escape back to the safety of the basement that way.
We've had our new dog almost 6 weeks, and it is still very much a work in progress. He gets very excited and very rough with the cats, but he is slowly learning.
Now, what I'd do if I were you....#1 somehow put an end to the charging the glass. You don't want that. It is not helping the situation at all, and just getting him more excited regarding the cats! Secondly, obedience training! Teach him a "look" or "watch" command. Teach basic commands as well, but always incorporating a "watch" command. After you have some basic obedience down, start doing training sessions with the cat nearby. Incorporate the cat as a distraction. Teach him a good recall this way as well. Once your dog is listening to you and focusing on you with the cat around, then you can progress with your dog on leash and interacting with the cat.
I've found not many good natured dogs are out to kill the cat (maybe some highly prey driven dogs may), but mostly they're out to play/investigate the cat. If your cat has claws, that will help the situation. Always have a multiple cat escape routes in your house - otherwise our cat will make his own (up walls/blinds/shower curtains/speakers/chairs/tables/etc.). Make sure to give the cats a high spot in almost every room. Somewhere for them to get elevated quickly when they feel stressed.
Its a hard process sometimes, and it takes some work. You'll have to find a set up that works for your cats and dog for the next couple months, until you have the basics down and can progress. It's taken us 5 weeks of obedience training, and our new guy is finally able to focus on us a little better around the cat. They're still basically separated as I described above, and will be for several more months I believe. If they had to live like this for the rest of their lives, I firmly believe I am still able to provide everyone with adequate attention, exercise, and cuddles. If they can never live together peacefully, they all still have homes here with us for life. You need to be creative, but you gotta make it work somehow.
Good luck! Make sure to get the assistance of a trainer for sure! It sounds like you have a good start.
FF
I think there is a similar thread further down that might have additional responses.
We do this: dog is crated and cats get treats for approaching the dog. Dog has something awesome like a bully stick to keep him distracted. Then we moved on to, babygate on the stairs, cats can come and go, dog is on leash. Is scolded and told to "leave it" when he tries to chase the cats. Our dog got one no per cat and has figured this out. Once the dog is trustworthy on leash we went to babygate only. We've had a fair number of fosters that think the cats are some version of dog to either be wrestled with or sniffed without manners. My cats whap them around and it works out ok. But I get that if you can't tell if its prey drive, letting them loose is nerve wracking.
I would definitely get the puppy in obedience classes. if you can find a trainer with any experience as a behaviorist, even better. Puppies are crazy, mixing families between species can be stressful, but it sounds like you guys are committed and working hard. The first three months can be so challenging, hang in there!