Would getting Shilo a playmate be a bad idea?

bosoxx · 02-17-2005, 02:26 PM

I realize one dog can be a handful so two could end up being a real challenge but a few co-workers suggested i think about getting Shilo a companion to play with so that maybe her attitude and attentions towards our 3 cats may change. I'm open to the idea because our house is big enough and walking 2 dogs is as easy as walking 1 but i wanted to get some advice on whether this might make the situation worse instead of better.

A little old info for anyone just browsing through here. Sandy and I have had Shilo for a month now. We have 3 cats that have lived with us for years. Sugar, a female is the oldest at 5, Jakob is 3 and Cookie is about 2 1/2 years. They all hate each other. The cats won't come out anywhere near the dog because as soon as they hit the floor Shilo chases them to a shelf or counter. They have to come out at night to eat and do their business after the dog goes to sleep. The cats are petrified of her..well..maybe more just angry and jealous because they do come out visably to eat and to be petted. But when Shilo sees one of us giving attention to a cat, she barks and the cats return fire with hissing and swats if she gets too close. We've tried isolating them, but the cats still know she's around and they fear she'll come from somewhere to get them so when we put them down on the floor they'll hop back up on the counter.
Last night we leashed Shilo and i held her back while Sandy dropped the cats on the floor to roam. I had to use every ounce of my 195lb body to hold back this 53lb dog. She nearly pulled my arm out of the socket trying to get at the cats. They got so scared they jumped back up. Test failed miserably.
We both want them all to live happily together and we want the cats to have free reign of the house and wherever they wish to roam without Shilo chasing them up on their perch. We are running out of ideas. Short of just sticking them all in one room and letting them have at it until there's a winner, we can't think of anything else to do?
Sandy loves her cats and she's upset she can't pet them or put them on her lap without Underdog flying in and chasing them away. The only positive sign is that they come out a lot more and occasionally they get a little daring and wander, but if Shilo spots one, it's only a brief wander.
Today a co-worker suggested getting a 2nd dog to counterbalance Shilo vs The Cats and to give her a playmate and something else to ammuse herself with. Sandy and i are open to the idea if anyone thinks it might work or if they have similar stories where a 2nd dog actually helped rather than hurt the situation. Also, how do you know what dog to get to make sure you don't create the same situation all over again getting a dog that Shilo doesn't like? So many of you here have 2, 3 even 4 or more dogs so i can't see why 2 for me won't at least help a little?

I'd appreciate any feedback or ideas because we are getting really frustrated that our happy home is divided by 4 pets that don't like each other and show no signs of ever wanting to get along.

Thanks!
-Keith

***Cassiepeia*** · 02-17-2005, 04:07 PM

I don't think a second dog will help.
This may sound cruel, and feel free to completely ignore me if you like, but if this were my problem...I would (although it would break my heart to do so) find Shilo a new home. Since the cats have been at the house for much longer, it would be my absolute rule to adopt a dog that was completely cat friendly/safe. I really don't think you'll have much luck getting Shilo to live peacefully with the cats, especially since they're reluctance to be around her all the time will ensure that, when they do make an appearance, they're always a "new" play thing.
Getting a second dog may be more terrifying for the cats and, although I'm not going to say it will absolutely happen, you may end up with two dogs who love to chase down the cats.

Cass.

poodlesmom · 02-17-2005, 04:39 PM

Personally I don't think a 2nd dog will stop the problem and it may just compound it all the more with the 2 of them being comrades in arms against the cats. Is Shiloh going after them aggressively or is she trying to get a game of play going? How old is Shiloh?

Are you taking Shiloh to obedience classes? I think a strong basis in obed. training will go a long way in controlling the situation. They may never become best of friends but they can learn to tolerate each other. I have always had both dogs & cats and there is always an adjustment period and training that has had to go along with it. There will be hissing & swatting from the cats and I have found as long as the dog isn't aggressive many times the cats have a great way of teaching a dog to respect it as long as the dog isn't too small to get seriously hurt. Two great commands for Shiloh to learn are "easy" and "leave it". I will say tho that although all of my dogs over the years learned to get along or ignore the cats in the house all bets were off if the cat got outside and ran. Then the chase was on - not that I think they would have ever intentionally hurt them but that is when the prey drive always overrode.

ChiChi · 02-17-2005, 05:01 PM

i agree w/ cass... and poodlesmom, the second dog will prolly cause more trouble than settle it

gaddylovesdogs · 02-17-2005, 05:28 PM

A second dog would more likely stir up more trouble. Who knows, maybe the second dog would love chasing cats too? Or what if Shilo taught the new guy to do it?? And you've got to remember that two dogs are going to cost more than one.

bosoxx · 02-17-2005, 08:18 PM

THanks for all the good advice. Shilo doesn't want to hurt the cats, she doesn't go out of her way to even bother them unless:

A) we are petting or playing with them.
B) they get a little brave and wander out of the safety zone and into her path.

I've been sensing a jealousy feeling because Shilo is on both our heels wherever we go in the house. She's our shadow. Even at night. She sleeps in the bed at night. The only difference right now, than before life with Shilo is the cats have to do their business and exploration at night. When Shilo is sleeping with us we can hear the cats move about, eat, use the litterbox, meow... But as long as we are in bed, Shilo is content with us.

We could never get rid of her just because they all don't get along. Unless she is trying to hurt them, which she hasn't tried to do, i'm willing to be patient and see if she grows out of her fascination with them. There has been slow progress in acceptance.. but it's been gradual. They all get love, kisses and hugs, it's just a little different for the cats right now. I've been hoping that the cats would police the situation themselves and teach her who's boss. There's been some signs they are, so i want to give it a chance. Shilo is a beautiful dog and because she was given up once and rescued by us, there's no way i could ever do that to her again.
When the people at the shelter said there was a 2 month return policy i told them it doesn't matter, i don't have any intention of returning her. I knew what to expect as cats and dogs really never get along out of the gate. I just figured with 3 cats vs 1 dog they'd group together and deal with her

I guess i'll just have to keep on being patient and give out that much more love to all of them to keep them happy. I'm no quitter. No dog or cat deserves to be given up.

Thanks,
-Keith

02-17-2005, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
bosoxx Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 73	Would getting Shilo a playmate be a bad idea? I realize one dog can be a handful so two could end up being a real challenge but a few co-workers suggested i think about getting Shilo a companion to play with so that maybe her attitude and attentions towards our 3 cats may change. I'm open to the idea because our house is big enough and walking 2 dogs is as easy as walking 1 but i wanted to get some advice on whether this might make the situation worse instead of better. A little old info for anyone just browsing through here. Sandy and I have had Shilo for a month now. We have 3 cats that have lived with us for years. Sugar, a female is the oldest at 5, Jakob is 3 and Cookie is about 2 1/2 years. They all hate each other. The cats won't come out anywhere near the dog because as soon as they hit the floor Shilo chases them to a shelf or counter. They have to come out at night to eat and do their business after the dog goes to sleep. The cats are petrified of her..well..maybe more just angry and jealous because they do come out visably to eat and to be petted. But when Shilo sees one of us giving attention to a cat, she barks and the cats return fire with hissing and swats if she gets too close. We've tried isolating them, but the cats still know she's around and they fear she'll come from somewhere to get them so when we put them down on the floor they'll hop back up on the counter. Last night we leashed Shilo and i held her back while Sandy dropped the cats on the floor to roam. I had to use every ounce of my 195lb body to hold back this 53lb dog. She nearly pulled my arm out of the socket trying to get at the cats. They got so scared they jumped back up. Test failed miserably. We both want them all to live happily together and we want the cats to have free reign of the house and wherever they wish to roam without Shilo chasing them up on their perch. We are running out of ideas. Short of just sticking them all in one room and letting them have at it until there's a winner, we can't think of anything else to do? Sandy loves her cats and she's upset she can't pet them or put them on her lap without Underdog flying in and chasing them away. The only positive sign is that they come out a lot more and occasionally they get a little daring and wander, but if Shilo spots one, it's only a brief wander. Today a co-worker suggested getting a 2nd dog to counterbalance Shilo vs The Cats and to give her a playmate and something else to ammuse herself with. Sandy and i are open to the idea if anyone thinks it might work or if they have similar stories where a 2nd dog actually helped rather than hurt the situation. Also, how do you know what dog to get to make sure you don't create the same situation all over again getting a dog that Shilo doesn't like? So many of you here have 2, 3 even 4 or more dogs so i can't see why 2 for me won't at least help a little? I'd appreciate any feedback or ideas because we are getting really frustrated that our happy home is divided by 4 pets that don't like each other and show no signs of ever wanting to get along. Thanks! -Keith
bosoxx Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 73

02-17-2005, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 286	I don't think a second dog will help. This may sound cruel, and feel free to completely ignore me if you like, but if this were my problem...I would (although it would break my heart to do so) find Shilo a new home. Since the cats have been at the house for much longer, it would be my absolute rule to adopt a dog that was completely cat friendly/safe. I really don't think you'll have much luck getting Shilo to live peacefully with the cats, especially since they're reluctance to be around her all the time will ensure that, when they do make an appearance, they're always a "new" play thing. Getting a second dog may be more terrifying for the cats and, although I'm not going to say it will absolutely happen, you may end up with two dogs who love to chase down the cats. Cass.
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02-17-2005, 05:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
ChiChi Sheltie Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina YEEHAW! Posts: 1,439 Rep Power: 109	i agree w/ cass... and poodlesmom, the second dog will prolly cause more trouble than settle it
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02-17-2005, 05:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 155	A second dog would more likely stir up more trouble. Who knows, maybe the second dog would love chasing cats too? Or what if Shilo taught the new guy to do it?? And you've got to remember that two dogs are going to cost more than one.
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02-17-2005, 08:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
bosoxx Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 73	THanks for all the good advice. Shilo doesn't want to hurt the cats, she doesn't go out of her way to even bother them unless: A) we are petting or playing with them. B) they get a little brave and wander out of the safety zone and into her path. I've been sensing a jealousy feeling because Shilo is on both our heels wherever we go in the house. She's our shadow. Even at night. She sleeps in the bed at night. The only difference right now, than before life with Shilo is the cats have to do their business and exploration at night. When Shilo is sleeping with us we can hear the cats move about, eat, use the litterbox, meow... But as long as we are in bed, Shilo is content with us. We could never get rid of her just because they all don't get along. Unless she is trying to hurt them, which she hasn't tried to do, i'm willing to be patient and see if she grows out of her fascination with them. There has been slow progress in acceptance.. but it's been gradual. They all get love, kisses and hugs, it's just a little different for the cats right now. I've been hoping that the cats would police the situation themselves and teach her who's boss. There's been some signs they are, so i want to give it a chance. Shilo is a beautiful dog and because she was given up once and rescued by us, there's no way i could ever do that to her again. When the people at the shelter said there was a 2 month return policy i told them it doesn't matter, i don't have any intention of returning her. I knew what to expect as cats and dogs really never get along out of the gate. I just figured with 3 cats vs 1 dog they'd group together and deal with her I guess i'll just have to keep on being patient and give out that much more love to all of them to keep them happy. I'm no quitter. No dog or cat deserves to be given up. Thanks, -Keith
bosoxx Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 73

02-17-2005, 04:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
poodlesmom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,389 Rep Power: 114	Personally I don't think a 2nd dog will stop the problem and it may just compound it all the more with the 2 of them being comrades in arms against the cats. Is Shiloh going after them aggressively or is she trying to get a game of play going? How old is Shiloh? Are you taking Shiloh to obedience classes? I think a strong basis in obed. training will go a long way in controlling the situation. They may never become best of friends but they can learn to tolerate each other. I have always had both dogs & cats and there is always an adjustment period and training that has had to go along with it. There will be hissing & swatting from the cats and I have found as long as the dog isn't aggressive many times the cats have a great way of teaching a dog to respect it as long as the dog isn't too small to get seriously hurt. Two great commands for Shiloh to learn are "easy" and "leave it". I will say tho that although all of my dogs over the years learned to get along or ignore the cats in the house all bets were off if the cat got outside and ran. Then the chase was on - not that I think they would have ever intentionally hurt them but that is when the prey drive always overrode.

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