Re: new adopted dog not getting along with my cat

In Reply to: new adopted dog not getting along with my cat
Category:   Terrier Trial
Posted by:  kelly fitton
Posted on:  January 29, 2002 at 23:11:49

: I just got my 2 1/2 year old jrt. tonight,. he is crying and my cat i of 11 years is hissing at him and hiding. He got along well with my other dog, a Cocker Spaniel who died in Sept. from epilepsey complications. Please help!

Response:
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Hi Kelly,

I don't know who told you that this breed does well with cats but they are wrong. This is a hunting breed of dog that looks upon small (and not so small) furry animals as prey.

Yes some people have cats and JRTs but they usually know to keep them separated and closely watched. Even then after years of peaceful coexistance sometimes it has happened that someone has come home to a dead cat.

First of all you are expecting way too much from the situation, you just got the dog tonight. Of course your cat is going to react the way it is, this is not unusual at all. If your cat decides he really doesn't like this dog he may well spend the rest of his days hiding from the dog.

The dog is crying because he smells the cat, and wants to either check him out or go after him.

Many people don't do their homework before buying/sdopting this breed and all they see is a cute little terrier. They don't realize behind the "cuteness" lies a dog with the heart of a lion and all its hunting instincts still very much intact. When people realize just what makes this breed tick and accepts that and respects that, then you have the makings of a happy life-long relationship. It's when people don't do this that all the trouble starts.

The only advice I can give you is to give this some time, what is happening is perfectly natural. If after a month the tension is still thick enough to cut with a knife, you will have to do some serious soul searching on how to proceed from there.

Regards,
Marie