Another day, another dilemma..... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Toby's Human · 10-03-2005, 08:54 AM

Hey all of you that have more than one pet in the house.....

I was wondering what you do to keep them from fighting.
Toby is 11 weeks and we also have a cat--that is declawed on all 4 paws--. Trouble is Toby wants to play all the time with our cat, and he will growl at her and bark and bite her ears. I know this is the time in a puppys life where they are learning what the difference in playing and fighting, but he aggravates her to death and she ends up biting him. Still he goes back for more. I just don't want either of them to get hurt.
On top of that he has been growling at me sometimes when I pick him up to love on him. And I will NOT stand for that one. I just want to nip this in the bud right now while I still have a chance..... I dunno if he thinks I am playing or not?
Any suggestions?

NewYorkieMa&Pa · 10-03-2005, 09:27 AM

Hi! I am not sure if this helps any, but what age did you get him? My breeder and the ones that are on here have stated that if they are taken to early from their littermates, behavioral issues may happen. Therefore that might be the reason for his "playing" with the cat and his growling at you. I am sure as long as you let him know you are the alpha, you should be fine. Hamoth (a YT member) has a lot of info that might be of use to you in regards to that issue.
Good luck!!!

Toby's Human · 10-03-2005, 09:35 AM

He was 8 1/2 weeks when we got him and he was the last one. I dunno when his brother and sister were bought, so he might have been alone for a week before that. I know he was supposed to learn that from them, and thought that is why he was "playing" with the cat. But it seems to be becoming a behavioral issue.

cindy0721 · 10-03-2005, 01:46 PM

I have the same issues with Gizmo, he is 12 weeks and 3 days weighs 1 lb 14oz and we have a cat named tommy, he will try to play with his tail, bite his ears and dangle his you know what.... (hee hee) but when I try to pick him up to love on him he growls at me or trys to bite my lip or whatever, BUT when my hubby picks him up, he loves it he kissses him and rolls over on his back and spreads them. I think it's because he thinks my hubby is the alpha male so he tends to follow, we have our loving moments but Gizmo is a man's man!

I think it's a stage, he'll get over it,it might be his way of loving you!

Carolina girl · 10-04-2005, 06:49 AM

If your dogs roll over on their backs for your spouse and growl at you, then you definatly have a dominance insue. He thinks you spouse is the pack leader and you are just one of the pack. I would nip this in the bud before your pup gets older.

Thorsmomma · 10-04-2005, 07:17 AM

Try a squirt gun. Thor has a thing for our poor cat too, but he isn't declawed so we have to worry about THor getting hurt too. I think just contant reinforcement that it's not okay to play too rough with the cat and he will get it. Thor is 6mos and is starting to calm down a little. Also remember that your dog probaly just wants to play...

Hamoth · 10-04-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby's Human

Hey all of you that have more than one pet in the house.....

I was wondering what you do to keep them from fighting.
Toby is 11 weeks and we also have a cat--that is declawed on all 4 paws--. Trouble is Toby wants to play all the time with our cat, and he will growl at her and bark and bite her ears. I know this is the time in a puppys life where they are learning what the difference in playing and fighting, but he aggravates her to death and she ends up biting him. Still he goes back for more. I just don't want either of them to get hurt.
On top of that he has been growling at me sometimes when I pick him up to love on him. And I will NOT stand for that one. I just want to nip this in the bud right now while I still have a chance..... I dunno if he thinks I am playing or not?
Any suggestions?

Giver your cat access to places the dog can't get to. Here's an example:
http://www.trocadero.com/galaplus/it...1078store.html

Anything that gives your cat a safe "me only" place to go to.

As for the growling at you...make sure he's not suffering some kind of pain, check his harness and gear, then evaluate for dominance agression. Do a search on dominance agression and you will find little tests everywehre that let you evaluate how your dog views your position in the pack.

Hamoth · 10-04-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Toby is 11 weeks

Ohhhh wait...I just noticed this...

This is a very young pup! Dominance schmoninance...means nothing at this age. I thought it was 11 months, lol.

For a pup this young, definately take him to doggy kindergarten, expose him to cats WITH claws (under supervision), and expose him to lots of dogs and people. This is the critical socialization weeks and you can do a lot of good for your pup during the next months. PLEASE be sure to introduce him to other puppies, dogs, old dogs, people with crutches, of other races, etc...This will make your pup very well ballanced and head off any dominance aggression issues in the future.

If he's a bit of an alpha now, he could be a tryant later on without propper socialization and lots of it, on the other hand, socialize now, socialize often and you will have a real tollerant trooper for the next 18 years or so.

Good luck!

Toby's Human · 10-04-2005, 03:55 PM

There aren't any places where I live that have puppy kindergarden. I am all the time taking him to meet new people. I am trying to get him really socialized. He has heard some bigger dogs in the neighborhood and he is frightened of the sound, but we have not had to keep him on a leash when we take him out. I am sure he would walk right up to one of the bigger dogs if it was loose. But we do put him on a leash when we take him for walks. Other than his occasional growling at me, he really is doing very well. He is 90% potty trained to go outside,---if I would let him out when I am supposed to---

and he already knows how to sit and laydown. I am very proud of my boy.
I have tried to find places with puppy classes and other things like that, they are just not available in my area.

10-03-2005, 08:54 AM	#1
Toby's Human YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 335	Another day, another dilemma..... Hey all of you that have more than one pet in the house..... I was wondering what you do to keep them from fighting. Toby is 11 weeks and we also have a cat--that is declawed on all 4 paws--. Trouble is Toby wants to play all the time with our cat, and he will growl at her and bark and bite her ears. I know this is the time in a puppys life where they are learning what the difference in playing and fighting, but he aggravates her to death and she ends up biting him. Still he goes back for more. I just don't want either of them to get hurt. On top of that he has been growling at me sometimes when I pick him up to love on him. And I will NOT stand for that one. I just want to nip this in the bud right now while I still have a chance..... I dunno if he thinks I am playing or not? Any suggestions? __________________ Ashley Toby

10-03-2005, 09:27 AM	#2
NewYorkieMa&Pa Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 682	Maybe because... Hi! I am not sure if this helps any, but what age did you get him? My breeder and the ones that are on here have stated that if they are taken to early from their littermates, behavioral issues may happen. Therefore that might be the reason for his "playing" with the cat and his growling at you. I am sure as long as you let him know you are the alpha, you should be fine. Hamoth (a YT member) has a lot of info that might be of use to you in regards to that issue. Good luck!!! __________________ Life is like a box of Godiva chocolates, it won't last forever... so savor every moment!

10-03-2005, 09:35 AM	#3
Toby's Human YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 335	He was 8 1/2 weeks when we got him and he was the last one. I dunno when his brother and sister were bought, so he might have been alone for a week before that. I know he was supposed to learn that from them, and thought that is why he was "playing" with the cat. But it seems to be becoming a behavioral issue. __________________ Ashley Toby

10-03-2005, 01:46 PM	#4
cindy0721 Always In My Heart Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 3,393	hello toby's human I have the same issues with Gizmo, he is 12 weeks and 3 days weighs 1 lb 14oz and we have a cat named tommy, he will try to play with his tail, bite his ears and dangle his you know what.... (hee hee) but when I try to pick him up to love on him he growls at me or trys to bite my lip or whatever, BUT when my hubby picks him up, he loves it he kissses him and rolls over on his back and spreads them. I think it's because he thinks my hubby is the alpha male so he tends to follow, we have our loving moments but Gizmo is a man's man! I think it's a stage, he'll get over it,it might be his way of loving you!

10-04-2005, 06:49 AM	#5
Carolina girl YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 320	If your dogs roll over on their backs for your spouse and growl at you, then you definatly have a dominance insue. He thinks you spouse is the pack leader and you are just one of the pack. I would nip this in the bud before your pup gets older. __________________ Love is... when your puppy licks your face even though you left him alone all day! Izzabella and Cindy

10-04-2005, 07:17 AM	#6
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	Try a squirt gun. Thor has a thing for our poor cat too, but he isn't declawed so we have to worry about THor getting hurt too. I think just contant reinforcement that it's not okay to play too rough with the cat and he will get it. Thor is 6mos and is starting to calm down a little. Also remember that your dog probaly just wants to play... __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

10-04-2005, 03:55 PM	#9
Toby's Human YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 335	There aren't any places where I live that have puppy kindergarden. I am all the time taking him to meet new people. I am trying to get him really socialized. He has heard some bigger dogs in the neighborhood and he is frightened of the sound, but we have not had to keep him on a leash when we take him out. I am sure he would walk right up to one of the bigger dogs if it was loose. But we do put him on a leash when we take him for walks. Other than his occasional growling at me, he really is doing very well. He is 90% potty trained to go outside,---if I would let him out when I am supposed to--- and he already knows how to sit and laydown. I am very proud of my boy. I have tried to find places with puppy classes and other things like that, they are just not available in my area. __________________ Ashley Toby