Julie Stauffer

We tend to be the local hang out for every stray dog around. I like to
think it is because our home sends love and harmony out into the universe
rather than because the dogs know a sucker when they see one.

Currently a border collie has discovered us. It is obvious that she has
been beaten severely in the past. She is actually a great dog, doesn't
bark, stays on the front porch, doesn't chase cars or walkers. We've about
decided to let her stay rather than take her to the local no-kill shelter,
BUT....she likes to herd the cat. It wouldn't be so much of a problem
except the cat is 18yo, half blind, etc.. The cat is somewhat traumatized.
(So am I actually, watching this wonderful cat become feeble is very sad...A
couple of years ago, he regularly routed a boxer out of our yard...)
Anyway, any ideas would be helpful.

Julie

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In a message dated 5/30/02 12:19:48 PM Central Daylight Time,
jnjstau@... writes:


>
> Currently a border collie has discovered us. It is obvious that she has
> been beaten severely in the past. She is actually a great dog, doesn't
> bark, stays on the front porch, doesn't chase cars or walkers. We've about
> decided to let her stay rather than take her to the local no-kill shelter,
> BUT....she likes to herd the cat. It wouldn't be so much of a problem
> except the cat is 18yo, half blind, etc.. The cat is somewhat traumatized.
> (So am I actually, watching this wonderful cat become feeble is very sad...A
> couple of years ago, he regularly routed a boxer out of our yard...)
> Anyway, any ideas would be helpful.
>
> Julie
>

A couple of years ago we were adopted by a wonderful Boston terrier. She had
also been a beaten, neglected dog, and she too chased the cat. I didn't want
her to do this, but I also didn't want her to feel even more abused. I had
noticed that when Darin would walk around her and talk she cowered and shook.
(now she is his baby and *someday* they are going to get married!) I decided
to just observe and the next time I caught her with the cat, I issued one
sharp *NO!* and it was all over. She looked at me, ducked her head and
whimpered, that was it and she has never bothered the cat again. Dogs that
have been abused, and have kept a sweet temperament rather than turning mean
as they usually do, can be taught with firm, gentle, loving discipline. If
she is as sweet and good-natured as you say, then it shouldn't take much to
correct her. Good luck! I hope you get as sweet a dog as we did!
~Nancy


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Hi Julie,
I don't know if this will work for you, but it did for me.
Get the dog and cat together and praise and pet both of them. Tell them that
they are a good cat and good dog and that the other is good too. All the
while praising them and petting both of them. Repeat this quite often util
they both know that they are not in competition. Even feeding them together
at the same time is good.
Give it a try and let me know :0)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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In a message dated 5/30/02 5:44:45 PM, TheFadels@... writes:

<< I don't know if this will work for you, but it did for me.
Get the dog and cat together and praise and pet both of them. Tell them that
they are a good cat and good dog and that the other is good too. >>

Our dogs and cats have always gotten along really well, and I think this sort
of stuff is what helped us too. We just kind of asked and expected them to
be nice, and they eventually were. Reassurances and reminders turned to them
all flopping out and sleeping together, and sharing food and water dishes
without fighting.

Sandra