running watch keeps distance image
Pook
I have two female cats - one 8, the other 9 months (we've had her for 3 months now). They usually keep their distance, but when the older one thinks we aren't looking she'll run up and agressively swat the kitten until the little one flips on her back. Sometimes she'll do it when the kitten is playing on her own (I've never seen them play together). There's no blood but the kitten is pretty scared of the older cat, always watching where she's at, etc.
The only time I know they're fine is when they eat - they'll sit together in the kitchen with no problems and they eat with their bowls next to each other. I know there's some jealousy between them and we try to give both a lot of attention.
Since we've only had her a few months, might they still be working out territorial issues? Do I need to interfere or let them fight it out? I know it's my older cat that's the problem.
Answer
It's basically your older cat letting the younger one know who is in charge. I wouldn't interfere, your little baby is getting some good lessons right now. In a few months the baby will be bigger, and will swat the big one right back. There will probably be all out brawls at that point...but it's a sheer dominance thing. As long as no one gets hurt than it's ok. Just make sure you know how to break them out without touching them. I found a dropped book or a magazine smacked on a table is enough to stop the fight at least for a minute. You have to know this ahead of time just in case one is getting hurt...and to keep you from getting hurt when you try to help! Good Luck
It's basically your older cat letting the younger one know who is in charge. I wouldn't interfere, your little baby is getting some good lessons right now. In a few months the baby will be bigger, and will swat the big one right back. There will probably be all out brawls at that point...but it's a sheer dominance thing. As long as no one gets hurt than it's ok. Just make sure you know how to break them out without touching them. I found a dropped book or a magazine smacked on a table is enough to stop the fight at least for a minute. You have to know this ahead of time just in case one is getting hurt...and to keep you from getting hurt when you try to help! Good Luck
One year old dog is afraid of walking on the leash, how can I help him overcome this?
Ines
Short story:
I'm the only volunteer at this rescue organization that rescues dogs and puppies from kill shelters. I'm trying to train myself to be a dog trainer because the other professional dog trainer moved so I had to train myself here. The owner at this rescue organization is not a professional.
One particular dog that I work with is a Boxer/German Shepherd mix, his name is tanner. When he sees the leash he runs away from me. After a while of following him slowly to not spook him he freezes and lays down. He won't take treats when I have the leash on hand when I'm trying to lure him to it and he won't play with his favorite toy which is a tennis ball and try's to avoid everything. How can I help this dog?
Long story:
Every time the dog sees the leash he has this nervous/scared look in his eyes. Last time I worked with him we were in the fenced off back yard and alone. First I kept my distance so he would just get used too looking at me holding the leash. After like 10-15 minutes he relaxed and started doing his own thing. Then I started advancing slowly to him and when he'd look up I'd stop and let him watch me then he'd relax and start sniffing the ground again. I would take a step or two forward then next thing I knew he started to trot away from me. We kept doing this for the next hour and after a while I was able to stand next to him holding the leash without him running off. He still had that nervous look and never had his tail between his legs this whole time which is good. Then after 20 minutes more he went to a corner and stopped moving. I put the leash on his back and left it there for a few minutes then I laid it on his neck and left it there for a few minutes. He sat down and still looked nervous. While the leash was laying on his neck I gently forced him to lay down. I held his ankles and stretched them so he was laying down. Then I wrapped the leash loosely around his neck and waited for him to lay his head down which I noticed he started to do soon after I wrapped the leash. When he did he closed his eyes and looked like he was resting. I petted him then. After that I took off the leash and put it on regularly connecting it to the collar. His head snapped up kind of slowly and his eyes opened. I slowly stood up and then gently pulled the leash to make him stand. Then we stayed standing there for a minute or two. The rest of the time I gently pulled on the leash to make him start walking. After a while he would take a few steps around the yard and stop walking. That's really the most he does when walking on the leash. He freezes more often when in the front yard and he never fully relaxes. Should I force him to move while I bike ride or should I keep doing what I've been doing and be patient? I don't know what else to do. Help please. And thanks.
Also, before I forget. I don't know why he's doing this but now even when I'm not holding the leash and I walk up to him he runs off. If he's in his kennel and I walk up to him he freezes.
Thanks again for the help guys. I really want to help this dog. I don't want him to end up being euthanized.
Answer
Boy, you're doing a great job in having patience with this poor boy and you are to be commended. To me, it sounds like he was abused - either that or never socialized. He can be brought around, BUT it's obvious he's going to need TONS of patience and this could be over a very long period of time. You need to make sure first, YOU are relaxed when around him. He will sense your being anxious. Don't spend LONG sessions with him - make them short, but frequent. Try bringing another dog into the session.
Unfortuantely, most abused dogs need professional trainers because if you don't know what you're doing, you could be setting them back psychologically. And PLEASE bear in mind, you can't save the world - you may end up putting many hours into him BUT will you find another person willing to adopt him and CONTINUE what you have started? If you cannot snap him out of his fears, it would not be in his best interest to adopt him out and live the rest of his life unsocialized and in fear.
You are doing an excellent job on your own- God bless you for trying. I would say just continue and be CONSISTENT - I can't stress that enough. I've been working with rescued dogs for 35 yrs and am STILL learning.
You might want to go to Cesar Milan's website - The Dog Whisperer. You can sign up for his classes. I've read all his books, but even still have trouble at times APPLYING his methods. You can only just do your best - that is what matters.
Just thought - try leaving the leash hooked to him for longer periods of time. do this several times a day.
Hope I've been of some help - I KNOW the frustration you're going through. My expertise was medical rehab - psycholoigcal rehab isn't always rewarding.
good luck!!!
Boy, you're doing a great job in having patience with this poor boy and you are to be commended. To me, it sounds like he was abused - either that or never socialized. He can be brought around, BUT it's obvious he's going to need TONS of patience and this could be over a very long period of time. You need to make sure first, YOU are relaxed when around him. He will sense your being anxious. Don't spend LONG sessions with him - make them short, but frequent. Try bringing another dog into the session.
Unfortuantely, most abused dogs need professional trainers because if you don't know what you're doing, you could be setting them back psychologically. And PLEASE bear in mind, you can't save the world - you may end up putting many hours into him BUT will you find another person willing to adopt him and CONTINUE what you have started? If you cannot snap him out of his fears, it would not be in his best interest to adopt him out and live the rest of his life unsocialized and in fear.
You are doing an excellent job on your own- God bless you for trying. I would say just continue and be CONSISTENT - I can't stress that enough. I've been working with rescued dogs for 35 yrs and am STILL learning.
You might want to go to Cesar Milan's website - The Dog Whisperer. You can sign up for his classes. I've read all his books, but even still have trouble at times APPLYING his methods. You can only just do your best - that is what matters.
Just thought - try leaving the leash hooked to him for longer periods of time. do this several times a day.
Hope I've been of some help - I KNOW the frustration you're going through. My expertise was medical rehab - psycholoigcal rehab isn't always rewarding.
good luck!!!
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