Our New Rescue Pup is on the way - Cats??

[campana813]

Hi, I'm a newbie here and have loved combing through these posts! I've even given the breeder some information.

"You gave the breeder information?" - Yes, that certainly sounds like I'm working with the wrong breeder if a first time rott owner is giving advice?!Well, first of all, "breeder" isn't the word to use here. A generous, loving friend of a friend here took in an young adult Katrina Rescue Rott. Since the owner's gorgeous grown male had lived for 5 years with an unspayed female and nothing happened, the owner thought he may have been incapable of studding a female successfully. For that reason, they didn't rush to get mom spayed right away and within a couple of weeks of acclimating her to her new world, she got pregnant. Uhr, Roops! (how often does that mistake happen with another purebred!)

These are sweet people with two gorgeous, really well socialized, lovable parents with GORGEOUS markings and size/proportions. The doggy-dad gave me a polite, invited bear hug while i was sitting in a chair and laid his head on my chest - the owners couldn't believe it, they'd never seen that before - that dog fell in love with me (and i've never been a dog owner, just animal lover who has 2 cats). He had barked appropriately when we first arrived, but both puppy parents were very receptive as long as the owner's family there was comfortable with us. Mom didn't care that we picked up all the 2 wk old pups or anything. Anyway - they are giving the pups away for free, with two or more sets of shots, tails docked and extra dew claws removed. No adoption fees or anything, they just want to make sure these dogs get great, well-prepared homes. They have no papers but looking at the whole family again, I'd bet my last dollar that I'm getting a purebread pup. Both parents are very healthy, in middle and older age, so with the limited information available to us, given the rescue status of the mom, it has all been very exciting and encouraging.

Our new puppy (about 3wks now, pick up in about 5wks), will be selected from a litter of 7. We will be selecting one of the males because my new husband has found himself in a household surrounded by two female cats, my sister and myself -- we are looking to alter the testosterone/estrogen balance in the house.

We've done a lot of homework and getting a puppy is something we've planned for some time. We are done with the wedding - that was the first obstacle. And we are mostly moved in and organized in our new home (and will be much better prepared before the little guy comes home). He will never be left alone overnight and we are close enough to home to go there at lunch and take him out to play and potty and everything...being around people will not be a problem! We could even take separate lunches and make it home twice in a day if needed, especially in the beginning.

We have a standard chainlink fence that will do for a bit and then this summer we will install a new, higher privacy fence for the boy. We haven't renovated the house yet so our carpets and floors and walls, baseboards, etc. hold no real value right now -- nice time to get through our and our pups mistakes before the hardwood or new carpet comes in!!

I only really have one concern after researching enough to know what potential pitfalls or difficulties I might have with a rott or any other breed - I feel a huge guilt trip coming on because of my relationship with my two 11year-old cats. They've been around other animals and dogs before and they will tolerate it without constant battle, but never enjoy it and their whole energy seems to change....but all these exposures were less than 6mos long.

I just wonder if, once we get a dog, will the cats ever feel like they can relax lazily around my lap or the floor or anywhere near us? I'm worried I'm going to lose/change the relationship I've had with these sweet, chill little animals that have been my constant companions through many years, many moves and most of my adult-single life.

Has anyone experienced a long term exposure transition where cat behavior (or anxiety) returns to normal after a while? These are their "golden years" so to speak and I feel a strong sense of loyalty and love to them. They are very interactive, dog-like almost in their behavior.

Advice? Encouragement? Experiences?
Patricia

[mwaters]

Hi Patricia,

I adopted a cat that 'hates' dogs. For the first while we let her settle in with no dog exposure...once she was totally comfortable with the humans and other cat we started bringing the dogs in. At first she would disappear as soon as the dogs appeared but soon learned that the dogs didn't care about her and she didn't have to run when she saw them. She now may move to a higher perch if the dogs are running around but is not afraid. There was no lasting change in her personality.

Things to make it easier for your cats:

Have places for them to get away from the pup...I have a tall scratching post with platforms that they sit on out of dog reach. Put baby gates up so the cats can get into rooms without the pup following. Crate train your pup so that he isn't out all the time and the cats can get used to him in the crate. Teach the pup to respect the cats right from day one. Extra treats and petting for the cats when the dog is around helps them gain a positive association with the dog too. Have patience...it will take time for them to adapt.

Hope it all works out for you...

Melissa

[Canadianrotti]

Raelin was around cats for 2 years, and it was the same every day. When ever a cat moved, she would chase it!!! Every time we scolded her, and the next time a cat moved, she would go after it again. Raelin has a very high prey drive, and there is nothing I can do about it.

You have to be prepared to seperate them if if comes to that. All the animals deserve to have a quality life!!

Good luck

[moondog]

Originally Posted by campana813

I feel a huge guilt trip coming on because of my relationship with my two 11year-old cats. They've been around other animals and dogs before and they will tolerate it without constant battle, but never enjoy it and their whole energy seems to change....but all these exposures were less than 6mos long.

I just wonder if, once we get a dog, will the cats ever feel like they can relax lazily around my lap or the floor or anywhere near us? I'm worried I'm going to lose/change the relationship I've had with these sweet, chill little animals that have been my constant companions through many years, many moves and most of my adult-single life.

Has anyone experienced a long term exposure transition where cat behavior (or anxiety) returns to normal after a while? These are their "golden years" so to speak and I feel a strong sense of loyalty and love to them. They are very interactive, dog-like almost in their behavior.

Advice? Encouragement? Experiences?
Patricia

The relationship that develops between cats and dogs really depends on the disposition of the cats.....and the dog. If your cats haven't particularly enjoyed the company of other dogs/animals previously, they probably won't now, either. It does sound like they will establish a "peaceful coexistence", though, from what you've said.

I have a high prey drive puppy......and......a high prey drive cat! No matter the torture the puppy bestows, that cat has steadfastly INSISTED from day one that, "Yes, you WILL accept me...yes, you WILL be my friend...yes, I can take whatever you dish out......and, YES, I DO own you!" Puppy pounces on kitty, puppy gets redirected. What does Bamboo the kitty do? Sneaks up and pounces on puppy.... One is as much of a rascal as the other. Ever tried to redirect a cat?

Good luck with your new pup and remember to give the cats an area the puppy does not have access to. That way, if they do not want to wrestle, unlike my cat, LOL, they can opt out.

[Jill L]

My own personal experience...we have two cats and an eight month old female puppy. Our puppy WILL NOT leave the cats alone. Our younger cat, Lily (who is an indoor cat) has not been downstairs since we brought the puppy home. She is scared to death of her. I just had to take her to the vet because she has licked a bald spot near her tail. The vet thinks it is stress or boredom. Our older cat Nemo (who likes to go outside) is not afraid of her but has grown weary of her attacks (she puts the whole cat in her mouth at times) so we do our best to keep them separated as well. Luckily we have a big house. The cats are mostly upstairs except when Nemo wants to go out. It has been a real juggling act and hasn't been easy for our cats or me. In fact, the whole puppy thing has been very challenging for me! Much harder than raising my three kids! I'm not trying to be negative, just letting you know my personal experience. Have fun! Jill

[moondog]

A well taught "leave it" command can come in very handy when a kitty has had enough pestering or cannot handle the pestering to begin with.

[aseemom]

I agree with Moondog. I have 4 cats and a now 6.5 mo. pup. Leave IT was her first command that I taught her. It really keeps the peace in our house!!!! We also keep the basement OFF limits to Asee, that is "cat land".
A helpfull hint, move your litter boxes NOW to a spot the pup can't get near, so the cats do not have too many adjustments at once. Some dogs look at cat poop as a treat and the cats may not want to use the box it the pup is sniffing near it.
I have boxes at opposite ends of my house, so if my old girl doesn't feel like sneeking through a room that has the pup she has a box handy .

[mrs1885]

I'm with Moondog, though I think you will have it much easier than some, because the pup is growing up with the cats.
We adopted Roxy who has a very high prey drive, which we didn't know until we got her home - surprise!! We foster cats and always have 10 or so in the house. It has been constant work. She is settling in, but I will never trust her in the house alone with cats - she always gets kenneled if we aren't there. The cats have learned to ignore her though.
Our other Rott just loves them to no end. He gives them baths all the time! So you may get lucky and get a pup with a little to no prey drive. I really think getting him as a pup will make a ton of difference tho. And like everyone says - training training training!! It will make ALL the difference in the world - and not just with the cats.
Everyone gave great advice here - find time for just you and the cats so they don't feel left out, have an area the dog can't get to for just the cats to escape, and of course a rock solid "leave it" is essential.
Good luck!!

[campana813]

Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice. There weren't a lot of surprises in your answers, but definitely some good ideas (like the extra cat treats and petting). We do plan to crate train the puppy so if the cats can get used to the idea and feel safe in the same room as long as he is crated, that would go along way to making everyone's transition easier.

Thanks for the cat litter tips too - I'd forgotten a puppy I lived with years ago that used to find the litter boxes at friends' homes and come out chomping "yummy" doggy treats - YUCK!

Thank you all for the responses, I'll be a frequent visitor here now I imagine! - 4wks til he comes home :)