Ripley hates Stola.
Like, actually hates her.
To be truthful, she hated Penny when Penny was new, too.
However it is a entire totally different degree. Antagonistic and sort of aggressive. So, right this moment, I’m analyzing why it’s so totally different and sharing what we’re going to do about it.
As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
First, a phrase about cat-dog relationships:
Portrayed as adversaries in common media, you already know the trope: Canine are all the time chasing cats. Cats are all the time swatting canine. However is that this actual life or simply cartoons?
Most likely each.
In our expertise with animals over the previous 20 years, John and I’ve seen all of it. Actually, we’ve already tackled this identical situation however in reverse; Lucas hated Newt.
Some canine do like to chase cats. Others don’t. Some cats hiss and swat if a canine dares look her method. Others don’t.
A lot of it’s persona dependent. Then, you combine in a mix of environmental elements, sprinkled with a bit of coaching (or lack thereof), and an entire bunch of miscommunication.
A crystal clear instance is within the tail. A cat swishing her tail isn’t glad. Under no circumstances. She’s making an attempt to let you know she’s irritated. A canine, although? Usually talking, a low, swishing tail signifies a cheerful pup.
You’ll be able to see how they may wrestle to seek out frequent floor.
That mentioned, cats and canine can type a good looking bond and a powerful, trusting relationship. I believe a part of the rationale Ripley had a tough time with Penny and a now even-harder time with Stole is due to the deep bond she shared with Cooper.
The 2 had been inseparable. They performed and snuggled all day, and so they slept curled round one another at evening. I’m positive she grieved Cooper as we did after which thought-about Penny an intruder. She got here round to Penny–to not the purpose of sleeping curled up along with her however shut. Now, rambunctious Stola has infiltrated her new-found peace.
That’s my idea, anyway.
Do cats actually hate canine?
My cat hates my canine, however typically? No.
Actually, most individuals I do know who reside in a multi-species dwelling, the overwhelming majority share their pets have an amazing relationship. The subsequent largest group stories the animals have a mutual respect for one another however preserve their distance. Solely a small few–Ripley included–have a hostile relationship.
Plus, each cats and canine are tremendous good mammals. They will determine fairly rapidly act round one other mammal, even of one other species, and reply accordingly.
A part of our drawback is that Ripley hisses and growls at Stola, which Stola–since she is deaf–can’t hear. So, Stola ignores the hissing and growling (ignores, in response to Ripley, however the actuality is she’s not listening to the warnings!) and that makes Ripley even angrier. Repeat a dozen occasions a day.
What to do in case your cat doesn’t like your canine?
This, after all, is the boat we’re floating proper now.
Stola will be completely calm and Ripley nonetheless swats her. So, now we have a little bit of a problem forward of us. I’m tackling this on two fronts: administration and coaching.
Administration
I’ve a complete submit arising quickly on the significance of using administration as a technique, however for now, right here’s the gist: Administration is the technique to make use of to purposefully and proactively arrange your surroundings to forestall the undesirable habits. It’s not canine coaching in any respect; it’s used to forestall triggers within the first place.
So, what does that imply for us?
I’m striving to forestall Stola from approaching Ripley whereas permitting Ripley area to method (if she needs) and escape (if she doesn’t).
What that appears like proper now could be a sequence of child gates arrange within the hallway to forestall Stola from reaching the steps. Ripley has full reign upstairs for now. It additionally means a gate on the kitchen door to maintain Stola from attending to the cat meals and the cats’ water dish. (I actually, actually like this gate, btw, as a result of it’s straightforward to open however VERY safe. If you’d like a extra inexpensive alternative, it is a nice possibility, however you’ll be stepping over it 1,000,000 occasions a day, which generally is a trouble.)
We even have an X-pen arrange within the nook of the lounge. That is Stola’s enjoyable place. She will get bully sticks or puzzle video games to play when she’s closed in right here. I purchased a reasonable machine-washable rug for beneath to maintain the pen from sliding, and I can wash it after she enjoys a bone or meals puzzle. (Extra on this within the upcoming “pet survival” submit!)
When Stola is within the X-pen doing her enjoyable actions, it offers Ripley an opportunity to be out doing no matter she needs round the home with out having to be hyper-vigilant. Plus, Stola get tremendous excited for these particular treats and though she’s in a pen, she’s nonetheless among the many household actions.
These two administration methods–the gates and the X-pen–preserve everybody protected and safe with out unintentional interactions.
Coaching
Administration isn’t coaching. It simply helps your canine not make a bunch of errors whereas you might be coaching.
Our coaching plan is easy.
First, we’re establishing purposeful coaching periods. This seems just like the cats on one facet of the kitchen child gate and Stola on the opposite. We dole out squeeze cheese so long as everybody stays calm. It really works fantastically. My aim is to reward them for being cool clients subsequent to one another to vary Ripley’s response from “GO AWAY STOLA I HATE YOU THEREFORE I SHALL SMACK YOU” to “I get a number of cheese when Stola is round, and I loooooove cheese.”
Second, we’re rewarding Stola each single time we see her make an acceptable alternative round one of many cats, not simply Ripley. She sees Newt on the kitchen counter and plops right into a sit? Reward! She sees Ripley on the opposite facet of the gate however turns her head away? Reward! She sees both cat on the cat tree in the lounge and doesn’t try and climb up it, too? Jackpot!
Sure, I all the time have my pockets stuffed stuffed with treats all day day by day, and sure, I all the time should be vigilant, however it’ll be value it in the long term.
Will my cat ultimately like my canine?
Perhaps.
Perhaps not.
It will be ultimate if Ripley sometime preferred Stola. However my bar isn’t set that top.
My aim is that they’re tolerant and respectful of one another and one another’s boundaries. Meaning Stola stops chasing the cats. Meaning Ripley stops swatting Stola for merely current in her presence.
Would I completely LOVE for Ripley to snuggle both Penny or Stola? After all! However it’s unrealistic to set that as the tip aim. As a substitute, we’re aiming for peace.
I feel this plan will get us there.
In the event you’ve had a cat hate your canine, what steps did you are taking? How did you deal with it? Please share within the feedback so we will all be taught from each other!
Seize a free copy of the e book Constructive Reinforcement Coaching for Canine of ALL Skills if you be a part of my electronic mail group!
Learn Extra
