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  1. #1
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    Possessiveness w/ Cats

    We have a 2 1/2 year old lab who has just started biting my two cats. About a month ago one cat was walking by (minding his own business) her while she was on her dog bed and lunged and bit the cat's ear resulting in two holes in the cat's ear. This has never been an issue before - the dog bed is by a chair in the living room. Now today, the dog is sleeping at the end of the bed and the other cat walks by her and she does the same thing. Now both cats have holes in their ears. She also growls at them at feeding time (I now stand by the bowl until she is finished eating so the cats do not bother her).

    What is going on with her? Maturing and being possessive? What do I do now? She is no longer allowed on the bed. Normally these three get along ok. Any help would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    I have always had Labs with cats/kittens and never had problems. Have they been together always? I am really at a loss if the cats and the Lab have lived together harmoniously prior to these incidents. I wish I could be of more help. Honestly, my dog would be in time out if he or she did this.
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    for any new behaviour like that I would recommend a vet visit - od behaviour can be caused by a health issue - dogs are otherwise stoic about showing discomfort.

    Has anything changed in the household? the dynamics? routine?

    IF nothing comes up at the vet visit I'd really have a trainer come out and assess - i wouldn't want to risk anyone getting hurt

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I agree that a vet visit is in order.

  5. #5
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    I agree with the vet visit.

    In my experience, if you're going to have a dog who's reactive around other dogs (but not family members...new strange dogs outside), it starts to surface around the age of 2...so it could be age-related and he's transferring urges to the kitty family members. But I've never heard of this happening. We've always had cats and dogs together and nothing close to this has ever happened. (We've had dogs who had to be separated at meal time...from each other...no cat issues. Dan got to not like new dogs in his face around the age of 2 and his best buddy was our tuxedo cat Charlie...even Sunnie, who has minor food issues, didn't pay any negative attention to the cats.)

    Mine would have gotten a very firm "noooooooo!" in deep voice and a time out. For starters. You need to make sure the cats are safe until you hopefully get this fixed.

  6. #6
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I agree with the Vet visit too.

    But my own dog did recently lunge, growl and snap at one of our cats who richly deserved it. Lucy had been biting Oban's tail as I got their food ready and I guess either she made it through to skin this time or he'd had enough. So I have to wonder if there might some torment going on that you didn't see?

    You say this just started a month ago but how long have you had the dog and the cats? Maybe they are just settling into a relationship now? Not the kind of relationship you want of course so after the Vet maybe a behaviourist to help you modify behaviour.

    Good luck, poor little cat ears. Poor kitties.

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  8. #7
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    Thanks for all of your replies. She was at the vet earlier in the morning before all of this happened and no issues. We had the cats before the dog came as a puppy - so 2.5 years ago. She got a time out in her crate after this happened, no longer allowed on the bed at any time (before it was daytime only - her crate at night) and I watch all three of these four legged things very closely now. My thoughts is it is her age - getting mature. I will keep you posted if anything else happens.
    Thanks again

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Sometimes dogs do "come into their own" around the age of two or three. One dog in particular was a real pushover until he became an adult and finally started standing his ground with other dogs when necessary. For example, he'd let them know it was not OK to hump him.

    I personally am pretty much a hard-ass with my dogs until they are adults and then, depending on their temperament, I might start to let things slide. I take things like growling at someone/thing pretty seriously and nip it in the bud early on. My kitten would go into the dogs' bowls and Linus would get a bit nasty with her. Now I keep a closer eye on the cat and don't allow it, but at the time I did step in and let him know that was not OK, but I also shooed the cat away. My intention isn't "the cat can do whatever she wants!", it's "I will take care of it; you don't need to worry about it".

    So, I wonder if maybe your dog has been tormented a bit by the cats and has had enough? Besides what you're doing with the NILIF, I would definitely be on the cats if they are aggravating to the dog at all. You might also crate the dog in a room where the cats cannot go if you are not home. The reason I suggest locking the cats out is that if they are on the crate or swiping through the bars like they tend to do, that could make things worse.

    Good luck!

  10. #9
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sweklal View Post
    Thanks for all of your replies. She was at the vet earlier in the morning before all of this happened and no issues. We had the cats before the dog came as a puppy - so 2.5 years ago. She got a time out in her crate after this happened, no longer allowed on the bed at any time (before it was daytime only - her crate at night) and I watch all three of these four legged things very closely now. My thoughts is it is her age - getting mature. I will keep you posted if anything else happens.
    Thanks again
    Did she have any vaccinations while at the Vet's? What was she there for?

 



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