Ask Me Help Desk - Don't know what to do?

Hey you guys. Those of you who know me know that I LOVE pets, may it be dogs... Cats... Hamsters... Rabits you name it.

I myself own a dog, 2 cats,a rabbit and 2 hamsters. Here's my problem my brother lives down the hill from us with my grandmother and his dog. While he's at work during the day my grandmother usually watches him, lets him in and out of the house as he pleases. But this weekend she's away. And so my brother has just been leaving his dog out in the cold rain while he's at work. My mom loves him it seems even more then Rex and so she makes me go down and get him and bring him up to our house. Which I do. But my cats which are outdoor a lot are scared to death of him. Especially my timid black cat Princess. Yesterday I took her in and she wouldn't stop shaking it broke my heart. I love my cats so much and I can't bear to see her that scared. My mom says she's scard of all dogs. But she's not. Yesterday I sat with her and Rex beside me and she never hissed at him but as soon as she even heard the other dog moving she ould tremble and hide her head in my coat. She's so scared and I don't blame her as he always chases her and she even ran away and was gone for a year.

I can't lose her again. And I can't help but feel like I'm to blame for losing her the first time. When she trembles I feel hate go through me for that dog because of what he did to her. I know a lot of you may think I'm cruel because of that but my cat comes first and she is my responsibility. I couldn't protect her the first time. But this time I sure as hell will.

I don't even want this dog in my house. As if he's here that means my cats have to stay out in the rain. Heck I don't even know if my cat'll come back after yesterday. Please you guys what do I do?? Especially since next week my gramma will be going away for a month.

Is there any way to compromise? The dog stays in-doors at home and you or your mother go let him out to use the bathroom?

Could your brother install a doggy door and the dog let himself out when he needs to go?

Could your mother go puppy-sit during the day?

Does the cat have any high places where it can sit and feel safer sort of like it would in a tree outside?

There are also methods of desensitizing cats to dogs that you might want to look into. They take time but in the long run it might be best for your cat's well-being.

One word of caution, don't let yourself tense up when the dog is around. The cat will feel your tension and add it to its own. It isn't easy to control a reflex action, but the cat needs to know that everything will be all right. Also Rex will start to feel it and react. I don't think you want that. If you are calmer, the cat may eventually calm down some.

The thing is that that dog needs to be tied when it goes out so the doggy door wouldn't work.

I wish someone would just go down and let him in and out but I think he might chew everything up, down there.

The cat had a cushioned shoe rack to sit on but its only like 3-4 ft. high. When she first came back to our house, after being gone for a year, I had to desensitize her to Rex. She was so scared she would go into full blown panic and jump up at the walls and on the cupboards. It took a lot of work, and Rex got a lot of scratches but not once did he turn back at her. She would throw her paws and scratch his face and he would stand there and take it. Never to run away or to try and fight back. It was a long process I first had to teach her to trust me, that I wouldn't let him hurt her and then she got to trust him and then he wouldn't hurt her.

I've tried to teach this dog, but he has a very high prey drive and she is just so scared of him. I just can't trust him with her.

Hmm... any way convincing your grandmother to let your brother keep his dog inside somewhere?
Block off the kitchen or laundry?

It is only for the weekend so you might just have to keep Princess in your bedroom and keep her away from your brothers dog.
It's not very fair on either of them but it's either the dog being left all alone in the cold... or the cat being scared.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rex123

Here's my problem my brother lives down the hill from us with my grandmother and his dog. While he's at work during the day my grandmother usually watches him, lets him in and out of the house as he pleases. But this weekend she's away. ...Especially since next week my gramma will be going away for a month.

The problem is that grandmother is out of town for the weekend and planning a month long trip.

There's keeping the dog confined in a room like the kitchen in his own home and somebody letting him out.

Is he crate trained? Would that help confine him and keep the cat happier?

Would mom be willing to leave the dog confined in your house?

Have you even talked to your brother about the situation? It is something that HE needs to think about with winter weather only getting started.

An insulated dog house outdoors?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat1864

The problem is that grandmother is out of town for the weekend and planning a month long trip.

There's keeping the dog confined in a room like the kitchen in his own home and somebody letting him out.

Is he crate trained? Would that help confine him and keep the cat happier?

Would mom be willing to leave the dog confined in your house?

Have you even talked to your brother about the situation? It is something that HE needs to think about with winter weather only getting started.

That's what I've been telling my mom that the dog is his responsibility not mine... Unfortunately he isn't crate trained. And yesterday I suggeted we keep him in our guest room while my cat is in but my mom was too scared that he would chew stuff or scratch the paint on the door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rex123

Thats what I've been telling my mom that the dog is his responsibility not mine... Unfortunately he isn't crate trained. And yesterday I suggeted we keep him in our guest room while my cat is in but my mom was too scared that he would chew stuff or scratch the paint on the door.

I think you need to put your foot down and tell your mother and brother that they need to do something about the dog.

Honestly, if he was my brother and willing to leave his dog out in the cold he would be getting a nice smack over the head!

Wondergirls suggestion of an insulated kennel might be ideal for him ot buy...
And in addition to that he could make a dog run so the dog doesn't have to be chained.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Wondergirls suggestion of an insulated kennel might be ideal for him ot buy...And in addition to that he could make a dog run so the dog doesn't have to be chained.

Around here, you will be fined if your dog is outdoors without proper shelter, food, and clean water available.

He really needs to think of long term solutions. You are not it.

I am a strong believer in crate training an animal on the general principle that you never know when it might have to spend time at the vet. This might be the best time for him to do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat1864

He really needs to think of long term solutions. You are not it.

I am a strong believer in crate training an animal on the general principle that you never know when it might have to spend time at the vet. This might be the best time for him to do it.

Here is a crate that comes with extra panels to convert into a dog run..
I have never seen these before but I will look into them more... just found this on Craigslist after a quick search for "dog run"

DOG STUFF-X-PEN, CRATE