Ring is a Cat Chaser. Help!

[JimS]

Ring has been in the house only a few days but the cat has become almost invisible because he sees her as prey and she doesn't come out when we are home.

He has seen her only twice and she has chased her only twice and both times it occurred before I could catch him in the preparation to rush.

This second time he took off after her and I yelled to him and he stopped immediately.

It really surprised and impressed me that he stopped. He then returned to me looking very much like he knew he was wrong.. head down, tail between his legs.

Obviously he is quickly learning that chasing the cat is wrong and also quickly learning to behave in a way that will please me.

But.. I'd like to have a happy home for both him and our cat. Do you think they'll learn to cohabitate peacefully?

What do you think I can do to promote that sort of relationship between them?

I've never been in this position before. His predecessor was not a cat predator.

[Idaho Cairns]

It will stop when and if the cat stands up to the Cairn. I have seen a lot of cat chasing from my dogs and I have never had a Cairn attack a cat that was defending itself. If the cat runs, the Cairn will chase. You may be able to modify that behavior with discipline however--Cairns are smart enough to learn to control some aspects of their chase instincts--particularly in the home environment.

[JimS]

I'll keeep trying to catch him before he "attacks"/chases the cat and to hope that the cat doesn't hurt him with a claw in the eye.. or something. Maybe I can find a way to seperate them while they get acclimated to each other.

[cairnrescueleague]

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network has good information about cairns and cats on their website - http://www.cairnrescue.com/docs/CatsAndCairns.htm. I think there's lots of hope. Ring is listening to you. If he was really intent on harming the cat, you wouldn't be able to stop him.

[JimS]

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network has good information about cairns and cats on their website - http://www.cairnrescue.com/docs/CatsAndCairns.htm. I think there's lots of hope. Ring is listening to you. If he was really intent on harming the cat, you wouldn't be able to stop him.

Good information there. I hadn't thought about introducing them with him in the pet carrier. And, maybe it's not going to be necessary...... to wit.....

This morning, after going out to do his business, Ring went to the bedroom where my wife and the cat were. He went in calmly and didn't get upset/excited/agressive when the cat moved to a higher spot. She said that he was very sweet and showed no signs of agressiion.

We'll see. I don't expect... and I'm still half expecting but would be nice.

[cairnsby3]

It will get better. I think my cat just got used to being chased. She can always get away by jumping up high or going into her room where the dogs aren't allowed, but sometimes she antagonizes the dogs by running and fliting by them so they chase her. Mine have never tried to hurt the cat, they realize she belongs there too.

[Brody'sMom]

We were adopted by a cat last year. She lives outside mostly, but we've been bringing her in lately since it has been so cold. She stays in a crate and hisses or growls if the Cairns get to close. Brody completely ignores her, but Mia likes to walk up to the crate. They seem to be adapting.

[josie&holly]

Holly chases cats if they move across her line of vision but they just sit there she ignores them. But have the opposite problem with the cat from 2 doors away - she chases Holly!! So as we walk she comes after us so Holly wants to turn round to see what is what and makes walks quite difficult. I have no idea what Holly would do if she got too close to the cat but trying to avoid this is hard.

However, I have friends who have cats and diogs together and they seem to learn to cope with each other.

[lindasue]

We have 4 older cats and a 5 month old cairn. The cats are totally bored by her; she chases them, they jump up higher than she can reach and just stretch out and watch her. Once in a while they will swipe at her w/o claws. You may want to try introducing the cat and dog with the cat on a higher surface.

[JimS]

Thanks to all for the encouraging words.

It seems like your experiences are being lived out here. The cat is no longer hideing in the basement.. now she's hideing behind the couch. But any improvement IS an improvement. We had them in the same room together this evening... for a minute or so, as a means of slowly introducing them. Ring appears to know he's not supposed to be chasing her and although she growls at him I think they'll be able to coexist. She's cranky as heck anyway so Ring will have problems getting along with her no matter how nice he is.

I'm no longer so fearful that she's hurt the dog. But I'm also a long way from relaxed and will be staying between them for a while.

I really appreciate the help. I can see that this is a good place to be. But then what else would I expect.... Dog people are the best!

[tdavie]

My girlfriend has 2 dogs and 3 cats, and so when I bring my dogs over, it can become a handful. We've had 3 new additions in the last year (my Cairn and a new cat and dog on my girlfriend's side). What we do when introducing a new pet (whether dog or cat), is to have the new animal in a nice safe crate where the others can come by and smell the new animal. Then slowly, based on reaction we release the new animal. We've only had (and still have) one problem, and that is a cat to cat thing. My Cairn gets along well (wrestles with) with two cats and neutral towards the third cat.

As long as the Cairn is initially crated, and the cats can observe with confidence and safety, there should not be a problem.

Tom

[JimS]

My girlfriend has 2 dogs and 3 cats, and so when I bring my dogs over, it can become a handful. We've had 3 new additions in the last year (my Cairn and a new cat and dog on my girlfriend's side). What we do when introducing a new pet (whether dog or cat), is to have the new animal in a nice safe crate where the others can come by and smell the new animal. Then slowly, based on reaction we release the new animal. We've only had (and still have) one problem, and that is a cat to cat thing. My Cairn gets along well (wrestles with) with two cats and neutral towards the third cat.

As long as the Cairn is initially crated, and the cats can observe with confidence and safety, there should not be a problem.

Tom

I blew the introductions! I wasn't thinking... I was reacting emotionally and just was thrilled to bring home my new guy the day after my buddy of 12 years had to be put down. I didn't think about the cat at all.. she never occurred to me... until they saw each other and stood looking at each other across the room.. and he made a move, just a shudder, towards her and the chase was on. We've seen very little of her since. I blew it. I think their relationship can be salavged but I think I probably blew the chances of it being a really good relationship.

Thanks for reminding me how it should have been done. I hadn't realized how badly I blew it until you posted and I realized that I had not given the situation any thought at all. I followed my emotions and didn't use my intellect and THAT has been my problem all my life. My emotions get stirred up and I do something thoughtless (literally.. without thought) and then have a price to pay. What I hate is that somebody else usually pays a price right along with me.

I have excessive emotional reactions to normal daily events. I call that "unmanageability".

[bradl]

Don't overthink it. Set the expectation that it will all sort itself it out and chances are it will. Cairns may be wild at heart and we can't blame them for that; but they are also smart as the dickens, adaptable as all get-out, and love to settle into their packs. Be patient, be persistent, be calm, and expect the best.

[BetsyNoodle]

Brad and other posters have said it all. I would only add: above all, try to stay calm. If you are anxious and fretting, your Cairn will quickly pick up on those emotions and entropy will increase in one way or another. Believe me, I have seen this happen!

One of the things our rescue Cairn, Murphy, has taught me is how to chill out and "let go" of the day (or of constantly trying to control the day!). He just loves to chill and hang out with us. He is one smooth operator. My husband and I are just so amazed by him and his ability to re-align our molecules after a long day at work.

So, relax, sit back, and enjoy this ride. Ring and your cat will work things out in time.

[JimS]

Brad and other posters have said it all. I would only add: above all, try to stay calm. If you are anxious and fretting, your Cairn will quickly pick up on those emotions and entropy will increase in one way or another. Believe me, I have seen this happen!

One of the things our rescue Cairn, Murphy, has taught me is how to chill out and "let go" of the day (or of constantly trying to control the day!). He just loves to chill and hang out with us. He is one smooth operator. My husband and I are just so amazed by him and his ability to re-align our molecules after a long day at work.

So, relax, sit back, and enjoy this ride. Ring and your cat will work things out in time.

Thanks to you, Brad and all the others! You and they have said it all and have said it VERY well. Very encourageing and supportive posts and I KNOW you are right in your assertions that I just need to chill and let it happen... and it is happening. The kitty is coming around.

I mentioned all this, including my lack of preparation prior to bringing Ring home and she was quick to take me off the hook for that by mentioning that we had Ring2 for 12 years and 3 cats and never any problem so it was natural that it woudn't occur to me. It didn't occur to her either.

Anyway... the cat is coming back into the living room this morning (the dog and I hang in the pool room on the back of the house).