yorkie poo and cats (yorkies, barking, training, adopted)

[pcard274]

We just adopted a 2yr old, 7lb, male yorkie poo. He has not been neutered (we plan to) and was never trained. He has no experience with children or cats. He is doing great with the kids, but the cats are another story - bark and chase. We have placed baby gates to provide separation of space, but wonder if he will ever be able to accept the presence of our cats. Has anyone else had success bringing an adult yorkie poo into a home with cats?

[cheesenugget]

If I recall correctly, yorkies were bred to be ratter and they were very good ar their job. Yorkies are still being bred for that purpose today, although not as common, but ratting is a sport that continues to this day. It's not uncommon for a yorkie to dislike anything small, furry and reactive. Even though you have a yorkie poo, I assume the yorkie side of her that was a ratter is what you are seeing. This, in addition to lack of early socialization to small animals and/or bad experience with cats in the past may be contributing to her behavior.

At this age, it is difficult to re-socialize her to cats. The age best suited for that was in her puppyhood, long gone by this point. HOWEVER, it is not impossible.

While keeping the babygate between the dog and cats, at a safe distance away before the dog barks or reacts, every time she sees a cat, click or praise and treat. Words like "Yes!", "Good job!" can substitute a clicker, linking the action that she did (sees cat and staying calm) with a positive happy experience. No growling, no barking and no staring at the cats. Try feeding the dogs and cats at the same time. Put their bowls parallel to the babygate so that both animals can associate each other's presence as a good thing.

You will also need to make sure the cats meeting with the dog goes smoothly. If the cat runs, the dog is wired to chase. Both parties need to learn to tolerate each other, even if they will never be friends. Set up cat trees in the living area and other rooms where you know both of them will be hanging around the most. Always leave an escape route for your cat, see Jackson Galaxy's tips of kitty furniture. Play with your cat when he sees the dog. Play builds confidence and destress your cat. Rub each other's scent with your hands or a cloth so both are familiar with each other's smell.

Again, you can help the dog but you might not be able to fix this as she is past that critical socialization stage. Same with your cats. If both parties were not socialized with other animals, someone is going to be unhappy.

[subject2change]

It just takes time. (You didn't say how long your dog has been there?) New dog/cat households can be crazy at times, but they will settle in. Work on obedience with him, not just because of the cats of course. Teach him "look at me", a very important command in many situations. "Leave it", also important.
If you can continue to have the baby gate after the settling in period, keep it up. Even when dogs and cats are friends, the cats need to chill out at times. It will also keep him out of the litterbox. It's more complicated keeping them separated with him so small though. Are they able to hop the gate easily, or are they pretty much confined for now?
Give them places to get up and away when they want in the rooms you spend the most time in. They may or may not become friends, but they should be able to learn to tolerate each other at least. You may be ready to tear your hair out at first, but it will happen, and probably won't take too long.
Cats are very exciting to most dogs that aren't familiar with them, regardless of breed, but the fact that your dog is too small to be a danger to them (intentionally or accidentally) works in your favor, as you're able to give it more time with less difficulty.

[twelvepaw]

You will need to teach your new dog not to chase the cats. Set up the following exercise and do for 2-4 times a day for 2-3 minutes each session.

Put dog on leash, and secure end of leash to heavy table or leg of sofa (do NOT hold the leash).
Get a bowl of high value treats to set beside you e.g. tiny tiny pieces of cheese, fresh chicken breast, fresh liver, etc. The treats MUST be high value because he MUST want the treats more than he wants to chase the cat/s. Set it up so that you do this exercise when he is hungry/semi-hungry.

Let cats come into room. Have several treats in your hand ready to toss.
Dog will try to chase cats but won't be able to because leash is secured. Do NOT say or do anything to dog while he is trying to get at the cats. It may take a few seconds or a minute, but your pup will turn around and look/glance at you, when he does, immediately toss the treats in his direction (within his reach so he can scarf them up).

He will likely again look at the cats and/or try to get to them, when he looks/glances back at you, toss another handful of treats. He will slowly start paying less attention to the cats and more attention to you. As long as he keeps looking at you instead of chasing the cats, keep tossing him treats.

Do this exercise in different rooms of the house. Dogs don't generalize well, so you need to practice this in the bedroom, living room, DR, kitchen, etc.

End each session on a high note- it shouldn't take too long for him to understand that it is more rewarding for him to check in with you instead of chasing the cats, esp since you are tossing him bonus treats when he focuses on you instead of on the cats.

The goal here is to help him understand that 1) it is ok for him to look at cats, but that trying to chase them gets him nowhere; 2) that looking at you instead of trying to chase cats will get him yummy high value treats.

Once he is reliably looking at you when he sees the cats (instead of trying to chase the cats), bump training up a notch. Put him on a long 10-12' lead (leash). He is so tiny you can improvise with a securely tied sturdy light rope/heavy twine. Repeat the same exercise as above. He may very well go back to square one and try to chase again, but he may immediately turn his attention back to you. Either way- work the exercise as above in different rooms.

You need to reinforce his good behavior with the cats even when you aren't practicing this exercise. Keep a bowl of treats handy at all times so that when you see him ignoring cats and focusing on you, you can toss a treat- at the very least, give lots of verbal praise and/or pets.

At some point, he will begin automatically begin turning his attention to you instead of focusing on the cats. Remember, it is ok for him to look at cats, just not for him to chase them. When he is only looking at the cats and looking back at you, and not trying to chase the cats, use your judgment, and set it up so that the cats can get away safely- leave him off leash, and allow them in the same space and bonus treat him for any glances or looks at you- same exercise as above.

Throughout this process- you will need to use your judgment, go slowly with the exercises, don't move training forward too fast, reward reward reward for desired behavior (you can cut back on his meals if you are worried about him gaining weight from treats), and always provide a safe space for the cats to retreat to. Remember- sometimes cats with claws are the best teachers, so don't react to protect him if the cat claws him....

[pcard274]

thank you everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. we have had him almost 2 weeks now. things are about the same, but there are times he is watching instead of barking