Today, Hobbs, our lab/pitbull attacked our new kitten!

[Keeper]

One of mine does.. if I am fussing about something the dogs did she comes out and will growl and swat one of them. Most of the dogs ignore her but Skeeter will growl back.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Kudos to you, SuninHair, for talking to someone and trying to work it out. I have had dogs and cats together for about 40 yrs. Some cats were the alpha animal, many loved their dogs, one spent days in the dog crate with them. The current alpha is a female dog who puts my younger APBT in his place when he gets on her last nerve! Too funny to watch!

[Harley_man]

Originally Posted by SunInHair

Thank you, wild_spirited_elz! There are a few folks here who need this reminder!! We're not here looking for chastisement---we're looking for help, suggestions, ideas, shared experiences!
Hobbs is neutered, but only recently during the adoption process. Had a very interesting and enlightening phone conversation with a dog trainer. He said that if Hobb's tail was straight out when he lunged at the kitten, it meant he was in play mode, albeit, rough-dog type play. It seems the big issue with Hobbs is establishing a clear pack order--in HIS mind, and that I'm the alpha. The trainer said Hobbs does not perceive my husband as above him the pack order or he wouldn't have bitten him. It all makes sense to me but it is a real challenge teaching Hobbs he's at the bottom of this pack! Right now I'm wondering if the adult cat isn't the alpha

A good way to improve your alpha role is to eat before your dog. The pack leader always eat's first. Another way is to always walk into your house first before your dog comes in. The major key to being the pack leader is to take your dog for at least a 45 minute walk a day, and dominate the walk by making Hobbs walk next to you. It's ok to let him sniff trees and bushes but only if you say it's ok. A great formula is from Cesar who says Exercise, Dicipline, then Affection. A great tool for a walk is a doggy backpack. You fill the backpack with stuff to make it heavy and it fits around the dog and makes them feel like they have a job to do on their walk and it stimulates them mentally and that helps make them a more balanced dog.

[southern by choice]

Harley Man's advice is absolutely correct.

[solow]

Originally Posted by rnc76

There are people much more knowledgeable on here than I am. But did you expose Hobbs to cats before? Some dogs just can't handle that temptation. The prey drive is too strong. You are fighting nature by putting dogs and smaller furry animals together. It works out sometimes but other times this happens. Best of luck.

I totally agree .. I have three dogs two med one large pit mix guess what despite adoring the med dogs cats are a big no no , no training made to let that cat be 100 % safe.. to much prey drive. IF on a leash he is good in the house nope nada . good luck My advice give the cat away I am biased

[brightdoglover]

Offhand, it does sound like the little kitten could easily find another home. Hobbs' biting the husband sounds like a normal fear reaction to being sat on.
I adopted a Springer as my first dog. He had that inbred flaw ("rage") and began attacking me. I was talking to every dog person I knew, and one was wise, "There are so many nice dogs who need homes. This one needs to be put down." (I eventually had to, as he tried to kill me).
There are plenty of dogs who need homes who don't bite. However, it sounds like the OP is very bonded with this dog, and she and husband do not want to give him up. So re-home the kitten, learn the lesson of no new animals, work closely with the dog and watch for "issues." If OP can safely keep him, and is so attached to him, I'd keep him.
By the way, dogs are rarely in shelters "for a reason," that is, for having problems of some sort. Most shelters I know are not in the business of making bad placements with problem dogs. In fact, the only problems I ever had with my many adoptions were when I took dogs from people (not shelters) and they weren't truthful about the problems. The only dog I've had to put down was the Springer. Oh, and I did have to return a lovely dog to Best Friends, whose feral beginnings asserted themselves when I had a change in our dog group, and she became very bizarrely and dangerously aggressive to my little senior. (Best wishes, Chippy!)
I agree with the OP and others that this household sounds like it has its full complement of animals. Best wishes.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

This thread is a bit older and the OP has already found a solution for her family/dog/cat. Closed before it gets too critical of her, as it did once before.