Reptile & Amphibian Forums

many of you know that I have several large fenced yards in the country & that my mixed hounds go berserck when there is a critter on the other side of fence in the dence woods around us.

we do have some privacy fence & most of the wire is double fenced. this hasn't kept cats from coming into the front yard (where the dogs are not)

I don't believe that going through long sessions with 5 dogs to desensitize them to a cat would help, cos part of why they are so excited,is that the critter is on the other side of fence. & often its wild cats fighting, etc. I'd have to set the cat up in a crate (safe) & do alot of work, cos cats aren't routinely around.

I don't know if I'm capable of teaching them to stop barking when they are so intensely motivated/ hunters/pack reaction, etc. Though in most cases, they do mind & hush when asked,come when called.

This has come up, cos a really sweet cat has come to our front door & wants inside/took to vet, already neutered! obviously someone's pet. Trying to find owner, but can't take him to pound, so could end up 'keeping' him.

any ideas? anyone have same issues?
something I haven't thought of, am overlooking obvious solution?

>>many of you know that I have several large fenced yards in the country & that my mixed hounds go berserck when there is a critter on the other side of fence in the dence woods around us.
>>
>>we do have some privacy fence & most of the wire is double fenced. this hasn't kept cats from coming into the front yard (where the dogs are not)
>>
>>I don't believe that going through long sessions with 5 dogs to desensitize them to a cat would help, cos part of why they are so excited,is that the critter is on the other side of fence. & often its wild cats fighting, etc. I'd have to set the cat up in a crate (safe) & do alot of work, cos cats aren't routinely around.
>>
>>I don't know if I'm capable of teaching them to stop barking when they are so intensely motivated/ hunters/pack reaction, etc. Though in most cases, they do mind & hush when asked,come when called.
>>
>>This has come up, cos a really sweet cat has come to our front door & wants inside/took to vet, already neutered! obviously someone's pet. Trying to find owner, but can't take him to pound, so could end up 'keeping' him.
>>
>>any ideas? anyone have same issues?
>>something I haven't thought of, am overlooking obvious solution?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It doesn't sound like a safe home for a cat. They would likely pack up when overstimulated by him getting into their area and you'd have a dead cat. Unless you can keep him strictly separated from your dogs, I'd suggest placing him. If you want him that much, others will, too.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I agree that its not a good home for a cat. It would seem that all these wild cats would NOT keep hanging around, but there is such good hunting I guess. They raise litters, drink from the bird bathes, etc.

I might try some of those dry smelly deterants (sp?) at least to discourage them from the front door

I will definately be 'trying' to place this one, took him to vets & he is already neutered! thanks

I have a multi-dog and cat household myself. I have two dachshunds, one dachshund mix, and six cats. I was able to train the dogs to leave our cats alone in the house. We had the cats before the dogs, so I don't know if that helps. However, when we are out on walks, the dachshunds both go crazy when they see a strange cat. When I am not home my dogs and cats are always separated. That way I don't have to worry about not being there to supervise their interactions.

All I'm saying is that even though I don't trust my dogs with cats on the street, they do well with our cats in the house. It's a different environment. Maybe you could work something out to keep the cat (just in case you can't find a suitable home right away).

Best of luck,
Katie