Conference misery::feline_v1

684.0. "Help with a 10 lb RAMBO" by APACHE::CLEMONS () Mon Jul 27 1987 16:34

We have 3 cats and one dog.  Lately the usual harmony has been threatened.

First the background:
Our dog, Quila, is a 2 year old female black lab, fixed.  She is full of
energy, and has the sweetest disposition I've seen.  
The oldest cat is 2 years old, solid black, fixed male, Sebastian (we call 
him Bass).  These two grew up together and have always been affectionate 
to each other.  Bass is the beautiful but dumb one, He learned to jump up on 
counters and window sills just recently, motivated by the "babies" (OH? so 
that's how its done!).
Then there is Scooter (scoot) a 13 month old fixed female, orange tiger cat.
Scoot is the terror, shreds paper, brings home live mice, etc.  She tends to
not like Quila, but simply avoids her.  On occasion I think she forgets that 
Quila is a dog and sits on the porch with her... oops!
And Xerox (Rocky) a 12 month old fixed male, solid black, hence the "Xerox" 
copy of Bass.  Rocky is super affectionate to me and Bass, no one else
normally, unless they are lucky that day.  He never liked Quila, at all.

The problem:
When it started it was kinda cute.  Rocky would see Quila, hiss and run
away.  Then he got more brave, if Quila was moving in his direction he would
"attack"; hisses, fluffed fur, arched back, ... and whack! a swing of
the claw.  The first few times Quila just ignored him, (What's wrong with
this silly cat anyway??).  Then one day Quila was eating some scraps I gave
her and Rocky saw an opportunity to sniff the dog's legs (to see if she is
real or something?), but this was bad timing, Quila turned and growled at
him.  This really freaked him out! 
A few days passed.  Quila was drinking this time, not so protective of her
water, and Rocky watched.  Rocky then suddenly, for no apparent reason 
"attacked" Quila, this time Quila cowered and ran off.  So now apparently
Rocky thinks he is some sort of 10 lb Rambo.  He "attacks" Quila regularly,
she won't even go anywhere near him.  She no longer will "come" if Rocky
is in sight, except for my husband who she ALWAYS obeys.  Rocky won't even
let her in the house now!  Quila seems to think she's being punished to
go inside (if I obey and go inside they have Rocky attack me!! what did
I do?).  This is not good.
When I have tried petting and reassuring Quila, Rocky gets worse.  So I
tried to tell Quila that it is OK, but be more reassuring to Rocky, so he
won't feel so threatened(?).  I have even grabbed Rocky away during an 
"attack", petting and reassuring him, then Quila.  My husband wants to try 
using a water bottle (Cat Adjustment Tool) when he does this, but I'm not 
sure what is prompting this reaction, and don't want to deal with it the 
wrong way!

Anyone else have this problem?  Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!!!
-Kathi

ps I am entering this in the Dog notes file also.

    Kathi,
    
    I'm with your hubbie.  Sounds like the kitty needs a good watering.
    
    Marion
    

	Definitly start watering the cat!  Every time you pet him after an
	attack you are in fact praising him for what he did - scaring the
	dog!  He has to learn that the behavior is unacceptable!

		Good Luck!

					-Caroline

    Cat Adjustent Tool gets my vote, too.  You must negatively
    reinforcethis behavior in the cat.
    
    Otherwise, another cat owner will have been successfully trained
    by the cat.
    
    Good luck, and happy spraying.
    
    MM
    
    

    I've tried using a plant sprayer to stop Aja from hissing, spitting
    and screaming. Only made her madder...
    
    I've yet to find *anything* that will modify her behaviour.
    
    Edd