[Love4BigDogs]

Hello! I have a 3 year old Labrador named, Amber. She is so loyal, loving and just in general a BIG sweetheart. And 2 months ago, I have recently adopted a playful sweetie kitten named Sammy. :thumbsup: Sammy has lived with dogs before and I was guessing at that time that Amber was good with other animals as well, because she didn't bite or hurt my past guinea pig. I started the transition slowly by letting them sniff each other through doors etc. that long process. :dog-crazy: After my kitten and dog seemed to be comfortable around each other (I hold Sammy and let Amber sniff him) , I thought it would be okay to place Sammy and Amber down together. Sammy was very nice and gentle but Amber, ehh... not so much. :headshake: She was paw-ing Sammy and kinda rough housing a bit too much. I don't think she knows how tall, heavy and big she is compared to little Sammy. Sammy got a bit scared and frightened and he started to run. But that just made Amber want to play some more. What if Amber hurts Sammy? I don't want that to happen but that the same time I want them to be able to be gentle with each other. What should I do? onder:

Side note:
When Amber places her paw on me, she usually want to be petted or for me to shake her hand. (I taught her to lift her paw to me when I say, "Amber, shake.") Thank you!

 

[truffles92]

My dog learned pretty quickly not to bother the cat lol. Cats will usually put dogs, even big dogs, in their place

Can you give sammy a safe place away from amber? A cat tree or someplace that amber can't get to? And try to redirect amber's behaviour to something else, her favorite toy or something, when she gets too rough with the cat.

It sounds like she's just excited and wants to play. I imagine she will back off once she gets a swat or two
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[Love4BigDogs]

My dog learned pretty quickly not to bother the cat lol. Cats will usually put dogs, even big dogs, in their place

Can you give sammy a safe place away from amber? A cat tree or someplace that amber can't get to? And try to redirect amber's behaviour to something else, her favorite toy or something, when she gets too rough with the cat.

It sounds like she's just excited and wants to play. I imagine she will back off once she gets a swat or two
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Thanks for the reply. How do you think I'll get to show Sammy that being with Amber (or a dog) is a good experience? I'm afraid Sammy will get fearful of Amber or Amber's powerful paws. Also, if I give Sammy a treat while Amber is near her, and Amber tries to get the treat, will Sammy get annoyed and hiss? Another thing, (sorry too many questions. Everybody is welcome to answer these questions btw! I really need help, lol) Amber is a little bid food protective and toy protective. She bites if someone tries to get her toy or a treat. What if she bites Sammy? Thanks in advanced everyone!

 

[fureverywhere]

Baby gates are a good thing indeed...of course the bigger and stronger the dog the more tight in the doorway the gate must be. If you can gate off even one room it gives the cat somewhere safe and quiet to hang out.
We have a gate in front of the stairs leading to the basement. The basement has litterboxes, food, water and while both dogs and cats peacefully roam the house the cats also have their private zone.
They all play together pretty well sometimes. You just have to moniter playtime-dogs are bigger and stronger n' I've had to pick cat claws out of the dogs foreheads sometimes. But with time they usually work it out.

 

[truffles92]

Sammy might hiss at Amber, but that's okay she's just saying "back off" lol

Its an adjustment period for both

As for the food/toy issue, it sounds like resource guarding. There's lots of info on the forum about it, and some stickies
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[Megs87]

This should help you:

http://www.dogforum.com/dog-training/introing-cats-dogs-23536/