Mastiff Family Forum

Tara · Moderator Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Michigan

HEy everyone I am turning to you for advice. I have a puppy family that isnt a member here yet but they are having some difficulties with their mastiff puppy and their kitten. I was wondering if anyone else has cats and if so have you ever dealt with the mastiff thinking they should just be their personal toy? What did you do about it so that everyone was one big happy family?

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Tara Smith
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Courtney · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:13 am Post subject:

Sorry...no help from me. I am allergic to cats so none here!!!

Seperation would be my first suggestion, until he is out of the "puppy" stage where everything is a toy. I have always taught all of my dogs the "leave it" command. When they are going after something they are not supposed to have I yell (really loud) and say leave it, then when they turn their attention to me, I reward with a treat.

Hope this helps!! It should get better as he gets older.
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Kelly · Rally Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 79 Location: Ohio

Hi my love : ) Ok, first off, if this is a situation that I think I am fimilar with it is different than mine. I think this cat wants to play with the dog but the dog plays too rough!! My situation is that the cats want nothing to do with Kaboose but Kaboose wants to play with them. I had those two gates set up so the cats could always run through the smaller door to get away to an area that Kaboose couldn't go to. I would say seperate them like Courtney. Also, the "leave it" command works great for Kaboose with the cats. When he goes to bug them and he tends to get a little rough we tell him "gentle" or "leave it", and he walks away. Some times the cats ask for it though... they stick their butts in his face, then I say it's game on and I let them figure it out. In time they will get used to each other.

Liz · Beginner Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Ohio

DO NOT SEPARATE!!!!! That will make it worse when the puppy gets bigger. You just have to monitor their time together. I have dealt with several different species combinations. You have to constantly put them together, and discipline the puppy when ever it gets to rough for the kitten. I have even put a cat in a small crate and the dog in a larger crate with the cat crate inside as well just so they get used to each other. Maybe for a little while they should leash the puppy during the "visits" so they can intervene quickly. That is what we do. Soon Legend will be introduced to the sheep, he will not be allowed to chase or bark at them. So the sheep will be tied and so will he. See how that works, if it doesn't work after a week or two, ask again, I will keep my mind open.

Kelly · Rally Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 79 Location: Ohio

Liz that is a great suggestion with some great ideas!!! Like I said we don't have really a problem here I am just always so jealous of those pictures I see of snuggling mastiffs and cats!!! The sad thing is our cats are such lovers, Kaboose is just not gentle at all. I have the bruises to prove it! LOL! I never thought of putting a kittie crate in the dogs crate for a slow safe introduction~ that's so wonderful!

lisaw · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

Hi I'm new here but I can answer about cats and mastiffs. My husband loves cats and his big slobbery babies so he has rescued a few kitties. The dogs get along fine with them, we never separated them, a few cats were afraid but they can get into places the mastiffs can't. My little Siamese eats out of Dega's bowl at the same time he does, she stands on her little back feet and puts her head right under his chin. The only problem seems to be the drool, the cats hate getting slimed. So far only the squirrels need to fear the dogs. Lisa

moneletto · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 9

Everyone gets along great here

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Big River Mastiffs · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

We have chihuahuas, and Charlie thought they were squeaky toys at first, the way we dealt with it was to keep charlie on a leash for a while each evening in the room with the chis, and when she would run after them crazily we used the "Ahah! command (we don't use the word no) and not allow her to chase, but when she approached slowly or we were holding the chis, she could sniff and say hi nicely. if that doesn't work, use a loud noise to interrupt the behavior then use a command like ahah or no, so the up knows you do not approve of the behavior. hope it helps.
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Liz · Beginner Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Ohio

Tara, how is the mastiff/cat situation? Did my advice help any? Is there any improvement?

Tara · Moderator Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Michigan

I havent heard anything yet I will let u know

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Tara Smith
www.fawnrivermastiffs.com