Mr Tsuki
Posts:4
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| 03/15/2013 1:44 PM |
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Hello everybody...
I have a GSP that is not a not used for shooting, beating or trails etc...
I just wanted to know if anybody had any experience of introducing a kitten to this breed... she is 2.5 years old and will chase anything so I am just a little worried...
Many thanks in advance. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7860
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| 03/15/2013 2:39 PM |
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| If she hasn't been around cats before you may have issues depending on her prey drive. Mine have grown up with cats, but the will still go after a strange cat. They were also introduced to cats as puppies. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Shorthairs4ever
Posts:12
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| 03/15/2013 2:39 PM |
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No experience with it, but I would be very careful if I were you. My GSP is 2 and, like yours, will chase anything. She is particularly obsessed with cats and goes after every one she sees. It takes her 5-10 minutes to calm down whenever she sees a cat. |
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DuckFever
Central Oregon
MH
Posts:323
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| 03/15/2013 3:38 PM |
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At that age and with her prey drive of chasing things, I'd say it's more likely than not that you'll have a dead cat on your hands before long. I wouldn't do it. |
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The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work. |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3136
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| 03/16/2013 5:35 AM |
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There are so many factors.... mine had never been around cats really... at my parents barn the cat ran and hid as did their inside cat... the dogs never saw them... in our back yard if there is a cat in it or along our fence they go crazy! Blitz managed to jump on the cat but I heard the cat hissing and growling and was able to call him off... that also happened when my husband had blitz at a friends house, their neighbors cat comes over and plays with their boxer so it came over and blitz wrestled it down, but hubby called him off... however the barn I ride at has a cat and the dogs are afraid of him... if he is sitting in the barn ally the dogs go way around him or even turn around and go somewhere else... they met him when they were 2 yrs old and the other was 1 yr old...
If the kitten is young enough it might not have the fear to run from the dog which would help cuz it wouldn't give chase... I would keep the dog on a long leash so you can help direct things and focus on the leave it command... the cat should also have some get away areas where the dog can get it... |
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Mr Tsuki
Posts:4
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| 03/28/2013 1:51 PM |
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Many thanks for the replies so far... The kitten has arrived and has a empty bedroom to herself. I have a baby gate raised a few feet off the floor with some wooden boards protecting the lower half of the door way.
My gsp can look through the door and shakes with anticipation of meeting the kitten without all the restrictions. I am going to leave it as it for a while so the kitten can grow in confidence. I keep stroking the dog after i have handled the kitten to swap scents.
Not sure what stage two is just yet... any suggestions ? |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7860
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| 03/28/2013 4:44 PM |
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| I would also do some things with the kitten that let's the dog know that the kitten is important to you and a part of the family. Just be sure it doesn't turn into a teasing activity as that could get the wrong response. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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cynthiarose
COLORADO
MH
Posts:133
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| 03/29/2013 11:19 AM |
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No kittens in my house but I do have chinchillas. We were super nervous when we brought Havoc home that there would be an issue. I didn't let him be alone with them for months, but I would take him into their area during the day when I was feeding or holding them. I remember at one point I got concerned that he stopped showing any interest in them at all and just acted like they weren't there, which in reality was a good thing; he accepted them as part of our pack. A couple of them have escaped and he doesn't chase them, just points (turned out to be quite helpful! LOL). He will however chase squirells and other furry things outside that he isn't familiar with.
I say take your time. Don't leave them alone together, but involve the kitten so your pup can understand that it's now part of your pack. Don't let them chase each other because then even an innocent game once they're acquainted could be dangerous. |
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Mr Tsuki
Posts:4
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| 04/01/2013 8:49 AM |
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Well here we are on day 5. The kitten still lives in the spare bedroom iscolated from the GSP via the raised baby gate.
I constantly swap the bedding from cat to dog each day so they smell each other more, I always stroke one after the other cat then dog swapping scents. The dog can see the kitten and is lot more quite than day one.
I have had the dog in the crate locked in thel ounge and I have brought the kitten in to the lounge to get herself oreientated periodically. The dog really just wants out the crate to investigate although this activity is also getting better.
For the last two nights we have had the kitten on the bed always held in our arms and we invite the dog on to the bed, (wrong, but its normal in our house) we let our dog on the bed. The dog has started licking the kitten enthusistically whilst always held by one of us and I have also let the kitten roam around our bed and bedroom whilst I am always stroking the dog, stroking in a way that I could prevent a lunge from the dog for the kitten.
I am so so nerveous as I feel they have to meet on the floor now. At some point it has to take place, I am wondering if I should just stay as we are for maybe another 5 days, desensitising the dog a little more. I had hoped that on the last few days the kitten might of caught the dog softly with her sharp claws highlighting to the dog of a world of danger if you upset me... but the kitten is just way too affectionate.
Any advise ?? What about the licking? How positive is this?
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smatulewicz
Michigan
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Posts:1197
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| 04/01/2013 9:31 AM |
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| My dog would like for our cat to be far better friends with than they are. She loves him so much and he tolerates her at best. When he does stand his ground and her nuzzle into him, she gets so excited like she can hardly contain herself at how soft and fluffy he is. When he has finally had enough he bops her (declawed) and goes about his way. They're quite comical. In the early stages, we never let Bella chase after him, and praised her when she showed more interest in me and a toy than when the cat walked in the room. We never contained the cat and let him flee as he wanted when they were investigating one another. The cat knew our house better than she did at that point and knew where to flee if he needed to so I had no worries he'd keep himself safe, but ultimately turned out he just needs to keep himself safe from her love and overexcitement lol. I realize you're a bit of a different situation with an adult dog and a new kitten rather than an existing cat and a puppy. If you feel ready for a floor meeting (and it sounds like you have had some successful controlled introductions, continue controlling the situation by putting a lead on the dog so you can pull the dog in should he get too nosey, or attempt to chase after the kitten if it flees or jumps to a higher perch. Or, as we did, try letting the kitten roam the room free, with your dog on a lead and attempt to distract him with a toy...rewarding the dog each time he focuses on you and not the kitten (the idea for us was to show her it was just as rewarding to be focused on other things and not so much the kitten). We tried the squirt bottle for times she was getting too interested in him and bugging him, but she LOVES water, and this just got her so amped up and excited that she would run mad dash zoomies around the house after getting a squirt. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7860
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| 04/01/2013 9:36 AM |
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| The licking is a calming behavior for dogs or a greeting of another pack animal usually higher in the pack, so I would see it as a good sign for the most part. You are probably ok to have them together now as long as you can intervene. The problem will come if they get to playing and the kitten runs. That sets up a totally different dynamic. Otherwise, it sounds like your dog is more curious than anything. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Mr Tsuki
Posts:4
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| 04/07/2013 8:21 AM |
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We have finally managed to pluck up the courage to leave them to it... after a couple of days of unlimited access to the house for both parties, the GSP and kitten can now share a space in front of the fire. I was not sure if we would ever get to this point... its so lovely to see them playing.
For any other GSP ownerswho have doubts... take your time, consult the forums and the internet and everything is possible. Thank you all for your help and support.
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3136
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| 04/07/2013 9:07 AM |
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| That is great! I think it helped having a kitten that didn't have the fear of dogs yet! Such a cute pic too! |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
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| 04/07/2013 9:19 AM |
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| Great! Love the picture! |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7860
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| 04/07/2013 10:42 AM |
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| Fantastic! You did an awesome job. Glad they are friends. Do not be surprised though that your pup will still not tolerate strange cats. My boy is buds with my cat, but goes after strange cats with a vengeance. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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