Little Miss Velvet

[Pinscher Mum]

Velvet was a rescue girl, her owner was elderly and her health got bad so she couldnt care for Velvet anymore.

We have all her papers, and she is fully registered, desexed, microchipped, etc etc.

She has passed intermediate obedience, though is poorly socialized.

Now she loves one of our cats, but the other one, she gets almost obsessive over.

If she spots Miss Muffet, she will bark and chase her, and if she gets close she will try to grab miss muffets tail, she will also do this to Tiffany is Tiffany growls at her.

Its not really aggression but more over excitment and at this point we are correcting her when she does it and putting her on the leash for 30 mins. She is on the leash next to us, and knows the leash means be calm and she will calm but does anyone have any ideas how to make her react less when she spots miss muffet or when tiffany growls at her.

I was thinking maybe take her for the socialization and confidence class at our trainers, but in order to do that she would need to come to class with me when l take Hera and wait until Heras obedience and then socialization is done and then the second socialization class starts.

Im not really thinking this is good though, as while Hera trains Velvet would need to be on leash tied to the post, and while Velvet does socialization Hera would need to be on Leash and tied to a pole. Doesnt sound to ideal does it?

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions?

[boxerlover]

Just taking Velvet to the classes will be good socialization! I think the dogs need to work out who will be the Alpha dog between the 2 of them. Ask your trainer!
As hard as this may be....ignore Velvet, pay more attention to the others, so Velvet learns she cant come in here and be the Boss, so to speak. Just my thoughts Chell.

[Pinscher Mum]

Thanks Dawn, but its not a challenge for alpha, Hera is the alpha doggie, and theres no aggression, just a hyperactive over the top reaction. We put her on the leash and make her sit and she calms straight down.

Taking her to class is not exactly straight forward, Hera's class goes for around 1.5 hours in total, and Velvet would have to be tied to a tree or post or something during it, to me thats not a good thing, l dont like them tied to things, specially for long periods of time.

[boxerlover]

Her life with the older lady was probably so calm....where your home is more full of life and energy! Velvet must be overjoyed! I bet in a few weeks she will settle right in!

[Pinscher Mum]

She was settled in the moment she entered our house. Dont worry about it, its not making sense l guess.

[boxerlover]

Geeze sorry! I should have said 'calm down' rather than 'settle in'....
Please dont get mad at me.

[Pinscher Mum]

Im not getting mad Dawn, its just l cant explain it well enough, meaning l cant explain what she does. She is really happy though, tail all wagging, just too excited sometimes. I really think its part of the socialization thing though.

Its just so odd as she sleep with Kyle, she cuddles him, he even sleeps on her, but if he meows, she goes bolting, sniffing, tracking to find Miss Muffet and gets all mega mega excited.

And Tiffany, ah huh, worked that, its 100% jealously. I tested it in every mannor. If Tiff growls at Velvet, she walks off. BUT, if Velvet is right near me and l pick Tiffany up, thats when Velvet tries to grab her tail, l guess trying to pull her off so she can have my attention, again this goes with socialization as she was an only doggie. We are working on this and try to have it that if l pick tiffany up Hubby is paying attention to velvet or hera is playing with her, so she doesnt feel put out.

[Carrie]

I think I can relate. My Dobe pup wants to play all the time with the other dogs who aren't too fond of him IF he gets too rough. It's been a challenge. He's getting much more sensible and gentle lately. However, he can still be quite a pest. It sounds similar in that your dog is playing, getting overly excited and is just pestering the cat.

I guess all you can do is really emphasise when she DOES stop chasing and reward and make a fuss over her....what a good girl she is to "leave it." (or whatever word you use to tell her to leave the cat alone.) It's true that you have to stop or intevene when she's about to hurt or frighten the cat, (maybe distract her to a cool toy, a special one that is only used for these kinds of times, not all the time) but if you can put even more ephasis on the positive end....when she does "leave it," I think that may sink in. Give her something really extraordinary as far as a treat....something she LOVES and doesn't usually get. And then play and make a fuss. That's about all I can think of. Good luck. She'll probably get more use to the cat as some more time goes by and it won't seem so novel to pester her.

Carrie

[Barrett]

I agree with Carrie,
I already had two cats when I brought my puppy home. My pup used to terrorize those poor cats. If I picked up one of my cats for a cuddle the puppy got very jealous. She would jump on me and demand attention and push the cat out of my lap. When this would happen I ignored my pup completely and only paid attention to the cat. If my pup would come up and politely ask for attention by sitting and waiting I praised her and gave her attention too. The moment she got too pushy and tried to chase off the cat I ignored her again and cuddled the cat. Now 9 months later the puppy and cats are best friends and even sleep together in the crate. It will get better for you, don't worry. Just make sure you don't reward the bad behavior by giving your dog attention when it is jealous of the cat. It will take a while for your dog to learn but just be patient.

Barrett

[Pinscher Mum]

Never fear folks, its most rare it happens already, l guess l only posted this out of curiosity on what others would say, but l have been doing more training and little miss velvet is changing her ways about things like this. Alls well.

[boxerlover]

That is wonderful news!!! I just love Little Miss Velvet...she is so pretty.
When I showed George her picture...he was so interested in what type of dog she was. We are unfamiliar to the breed....he almost hints at wanting another dog sometimes...a small one! hehe Your dogs are the best Chell! We love em' all!

[Pinscher Mum]

Lol Dawn, Cavaliers are awesome, love to play but then love to be loved and cuddled and kissed also. But then l AM biast about all my girls breeds, l simply adore them