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RE: Cats and dogs together

Maria3 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:48:43 GMT

Usually dogs can learn to respect their family cats. Cockers are hunter dogs so they can look cats as prey.

To know the attitude of the dog towards cats, you take him on a leash and go near a cat. If the dog wants to play or is frightened there is no problem. If the dog wants to attack the cat, the best thing is taking another dog.

Be careful with the cocker. They can be very territorial and sometimes they keep their owners away. You need to be in charge with them

RE: Cats and dogs together

Ocimom — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:15:29 GMT

Most all dogs will get along with a cat, but if its a full grown dog, be sure its "cat friendly". The dog should be trained well so that when told to sit or down the dog obeys instantly.

I'd crate the dog first to see the reactions and also a new dog should be on leash and in control when meeting the cat. Let the CAT be the one to approach the dog.

And always great the cat first, feed first, etc. before the dog. Dogs are pack animals and do know the status - be sure the cats are always top status over the dog, as well as humans are leaders. If the dog thinks they are over the status of the cat, they will chase the cat more.

I would be cautious of most of the terrier breeds; especially a Jack Russel as they will look at the cat as "prey". I know of a JRT owner who warned (after a sad story) that JRT's should never be left loose alone with a cat. The owner had the JRT since a puppy, and it never hurt any of their cats. One day the owner came home to a dead cat and the JRT had the other one in its mouth. Luckily the cat survived but she could never trust the dog again.

RE: Cats and dogs together

cats_dolls — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:54:29 GMT

I don't know much about cocker spaniels - we had one when I was a child many years ago, and we also had a cat, but both were strictly outdoor creatures. But I do know that many cats and dogs live peacefully together and even enjoy each other's company. Many folks here on this site have both cats & dogs and can tell you more than I can.

You would want to supervise the dog's interactions with the cat until you're sure the dog is cat-friendly. But I don't remember hearing that cocker spaniels are particularly aggressive toward cats as some breeds are.

Cats and dogs together

Luci's Mama — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:15:55 GMT

Please answer my questions if you read this! My parents are in the middle ages now and they own a cat that is very sweet. But the other day they saw a cocker spaniel that they fell in love with. I was wondering if it would be O.K for them to get it and if so please leave a convincing paragraph to persuade them to get it. Thank you and have a nice day.