Expert: Tina Volpe - 9/18/2008

Question
Hi, I have a 3 year old Blue Healer dog.  We have had a hard time training her, but we have now added a kitten to our home.  We have tried various techniques introducing them to each other and the dog will NEVER leave the cat alone no matter what we do!  Help.  :-)

Answer
Hi Wendy,

This is really not my expertise, however, I've had issues with my labs chasing chickens and ducks, etc...so I'll give you the tips I used to keep them from killing or chasing my birds - which worked.

I took the dogs, one at a time, out to where the chickens were and completely scolded the dog saying - NO - pointing at chicken.  When I was out in the yard, I never left the dog unattended and noticed she would walk over and sniff a bird, and I would scold her, very angrily, in which she cowered and humbled herself.  She now, after 3 months, knows not to go near chickens - but the most important thing is to not let up for one second.  Don't keep them in the same room unless you are in there, and always, always correct the dog when it's nearing the cat, or even thinking about going near the cat.  I used a leash the first few weeks and tugged on the leash when she would try to approach a chicken.  That insured that I still had control until I was sure she understood.

Dogs and cats can be friends - but the dog needs repetition and consistency to be able to understand it's not ok to chase or hurt the cat.