[Doug Crf]

I am wondering what you guys think about trainning our puppy with our cat roaming around him.Whwn we first got the puppy we introduced the pup and cat and they seemed like they were going to do pretty good.they kind of did the nose thing where they bumped noses a few times and then the puppy kind of lifted his paw and wanted to play with the cat and the cat said no way and hissed and tried to swat him but he is declawed,the people that had him before declawed him.I almost think it would be good if he had claws to teach the dog.
Well anyway the cat has been hiding in the back bedroom and he does not seem to unhappy and he seem like he wants to start inching his way back out here to the living room where the dog is in his crate.
I am wondering if this would be teasing the dog or being mean to him to have the cat out while the dog is in his crate.After all it was the cats house first but if it would be mean to the dog then I will not have the cat roaming in front of him.
I am wondering if may be the cat might go up to the crate and go nose to
Nose and become friends.The cat is like 17 years old and use to be around a dog up until he was like five or six years old.
I may be should not take a chance? Or what do you people think?
Thanks Doug

[labman]

N my regular encouragement of crates, I don't mention cats. Likely the safest thing for both puppy and cat. You don't say how big the puppy is. A larger breed puppy could quickly become a threat to a declawed cat. I am not sure dogs want to harm cats, but puppies enjoy rough play than a cat may stand up to. If you feel the cat is excessively teasing the puppy, you could shut it in the bedroom when you are away.

Got to run. May post more this evening.

[mrs.pennell]

Yours is a great dane puppy right? I think I remember that from a previous post. I have a large breed puppy and two cats. While I am out or unable to watch the puppy (during supper, or laundry that kind of thing) I put my puppy in his crate. He does not seem to mind that the cats are out around and he is not. During the night he sleeps in his crate and I cover it over with a sheet. He goes to sleep right away and this prevents him from seeing the kitties.

I agree with labman, a big puppy can be a definite threat to a cat. They should be closely supervised at all times. They can be rough, and cats and dogs don't interpret all signals the same. A cat waving his tail does not mean the same thing as a dog waving his tail. This can cause trouble if you aren't around to mediate! :D