posted 12-08-2003 07:21 AM         

Buttercup is outdoor/barn cat - she pretty much hates going outside now because she gets tormented; we bring her inside and put her in the guest bedroom when it's really cold out but we'd love for her to be able to come in and go out as she pleases.
Sylvie, being a Weimaraner, is a pointer - and if Buttercup is inside, she will stand with her nose inches from the cat (who just squinches down or runs away - never stands up to the dog like our other cats) and drools. I am sure that if we were not there, Sylvie would taste Buttercup. Buttercup does her best to pretend the dog's not there (will sleep, purr, etc.), but when Sylvie gets too close you see the squinching or running away.
Baxter gets along VERY well with our other cat and is normally a very friendly cat, but will hiss and growl and chase Buttercup any chance she gets.

posted 12-08-2003 11:30 AM         

If you want to have Buttercup come in as you have indicated, then there's probably a lot of work ahead of you and who knows what the outcome will be.

Do a search on this forum for cats not getting along. I know there have been a lot of posts on the topic. There was one particularly good one about introducing cats that I will try to find for you and post a link.

I would also gather information about introducing a new cat to an existing dog. There is a lot of info on the web, if you do a search.

The way the cat reacts to the dog has a lot to do with how the dog acts back. Since Buttercup doesn't stand up to the dog, the dog has decided she's a fun thing to chase or eat.

I know I'm rambling, but you sort of have three problems all rolled into one! I think if it were me, I would try to get the cats getting along first. Then if that is successful, I would start working on the dog.

Look into Rescue Remedy and Feliway for some products that might help your cats to relax if they are stressed out over the move and the new cat. In the meantime, I will try to find that post about introducing cats!

posted 12-08-2003 11:34 AM         

It's the one from MaydaysMom about halfway down the thread.

posted 12-08-2003 07:20 PM         

I would try sitting on one side of the room with your dog on a leash in a down stay.
While someone else sits on the other side of the room with the kitty.

I would just sit in there and wait for the kitty to come up to the dog. If at any time the dog goes to lunge or act any way inappropriately towards Buttercup, I would yank slightly on the leash and say no and put back into a down stay.
I would use some sort of training collar for Sylvie to aid in this. A gentle leader, and halti would work really well for this. You could also use a choke collar or slip collar but I am not comfortable with those.

Eventually Sylvie will learn that Buttercups off limits and is not a tasty treat or wind up toy.

I have to do this with my setter every time we take on a new cat foster. He's ok if they have been here for awhile, but fresh meat never looked so good lol.