Expert: Jannie Balliett - 2/5/2009

Question
Recently I adopted a rescued 16 mo old boxer named Butch. For the first year of his life he had been neglected by his first owner and at the time of rescue was not socialized. He was fostered by a dog trainer who says he got along well with her cats and other dogs.  He gets along wonderfully with my 12 year old Bassett Hound Bear but he growls, barks and tries to attack my two cats (10 and 14 yrs old).  Both cats are declawed and I worry he will seriously hurt them. I tell him no and keep him on a leash around them when I can but I'd like to eventually be able to take him off the leash in the home.  When he isn't attacking them he stares at them like he wants to attack.  The cats make it worse by growling at him constantly.  I am worried that I won't always be there to stop Butch from harming the cats.  What can I do?

Answer
Get a dog whistle, or any "loud" obnoxious whistle.

Each and every time he displays the "want to" look, a growl, or an actual attack, blow it as loud and often as possible to make him stop.

Then, if possible, give him a "time out" by putting him in his crate (large I hope) or on his leash for 15 minutes, which is an eternity to a dog.

Be consistent and verbally reprimand him too, in a stern voice, using the exact same reprimand command each time. Like "No Butch-- Bad Boy!"

He will associate the whistle sound, the leasing, the verbal reprimand, as a no-no for the bad behavior/action at that moment.

Soon, he will be too afraid to do it again- in fear of the loud whistle, the leasing, and your reprimand.

He will associate it to the cats as a no-no.

Let me know how this goes for you.