Kingdom of Pets

Posted by vangiegraves
May 19, 2009

We have a Yorkie, Lexie, who is 18 months old and us usually fairly well behaved. (SitStayFetch has been a godsend to us in raising her, especially the Alpha Dog tips.) We also have a cat that we have had for 4 years, Tasha. Lots of times the two of them play together, chasing each other, hiding and jumping out etc. But as Lexie has gotten older she is sometimes very territorial toward our cat, many times not allowing her to come in some rooms or chasing her out quite fierciously nipping at her heels. And heaven help us if the cat gets too close to anything that Lexie considers hers, including food, toys, treat etc. She does not react that way toward us when we approach her so I think she considers herself superior to the cat but not to us.

We have tried reprimanding her, putting her in time out (in her kennel) until she calms down, keeping her on leash and stopping her forceably, and even keeping them in separate rooms. I know that I am missing some step that I need to implement to stop this before it gets worse but I am at a loss to know what to do. Can anyone make any suggestions please?

Posted by KOPsarah
May 21, 2009

hi vangiegraves, thanks for your post.
It does seem like your dog feels dominant over your cat and this is probably the cause of the problem.

The best way to sort this out is to use the principles of alpha dog training to assert your cat as dominant over the dog in the pack. Remember the more dominant pack member has first access to food, toys, favored areas and attention. First of all feed your cat before your dog, you could try having the dog on its lead in a sit position half way across the room so the dog can see that the cat is eating before her. When the cat is finished feed the dog. Also allow the cat access to prized areas such as couches and beds but not the dog. When you get home greet the cat first and then greet the dog if she is being calm. Continue to calmly and silently remove your dog to time out in another room or her kennel if she behaves inappropriately with the cat. Also remember to praise and even treat regularly when the dog is behaving appropriately with the cat.

Hope this helps and let me know how you get on.

Posted by vangiegraves
May 22, 2009

Thank you for those great ideas. I had not thought of trying to feed the cat 1st or not letting the dog up on the couch, bed etc but letting the cat. I will implement these changes and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

Posted by vangiegraves
Jun 3, 2009

Your suggestions are working and things are slowly improving. I have also been more diligent about walking Lexie with her beside me instead of in front of me. So she is calmer and better behaved now. Thank you for your help! I contintue to enjoy reading all of the newsletters and reviewing my downloaded book

Yorkie agression toward our cat