Diary Of A New Dog-shamas Adoption Date Oct27

I'm excited!

We'd been conidering a dog for awhile, but were waiting because we already have 3 cats. Now hubby's going on Nights, and wants a "protector" in the house while he's gone, so he's decided it's time to make the move.

I called Animal control, and they have a 5y/old lab/retreiver who's already good on the leash, is laid back, and did well on his cat test. He comes neutered, vet checked, flea treated, the works. Fed on Costco food, so no special diet, as I discovered when I adopted Matt the Cat in 2012.

I'm thinking of putting up a baby gate in the Dining room/kitchen, so that he has the front of the house, and the cats have the back when i'm not at home. And I have a Canvas dog kennel for him to call home, which I'll put up in the Living room.

I already own a leash, and big bowls. I'm just going over in my head what I will need to buy to go with him.....

Freeze-dried chicken, so that I can reward good interactions betweeen cats and dog
Stair-gate(the wooden baby gate that can be easily opened, since it's going to be in a main walkway)
A bag of food

I welcome to suggestions to encourage success with the adoption. I have dog-sat, so the cats are accustomed to dogs coming and going, and they will expect plenty of treats. However, I have never had a dog here for more than one night.

Personalities:

Little Helen is the queen. She was my most recent adoption, and was a failed foster. She came from a hoarding house, and it took her a while to warm up. Now that she has, she owns the place. She will, and does swipe at the other cats if they annoy her. With dogs, she generally keep her distance and stares intimidatingly. I could see her staying in the back of the house, or in "her room" and teaching the dog that he's not allowed to go certain places in the house. My dad's Toby Will Not cross the threshold into the kitchen because Helen has told him he's not allowed there.

Midnight was Feral-born, and is the definition of scaredy cat. He's a trouble-maker and likes to play, jumping and pouncing the other animals. His favorite room is the dining room, and he lives in the same bedroom as Helen. With dogs, he sits at a distance and engages in aversion techniques, sitting facing the animal but looking in every direction but the dog. If the dog is in the kennel, he'll get brave enough to come right up to it...unless it looks at him

Matt was my first adopted, and is friend to all. He's the official greeter. When we were bringing him back, the trip was long, and we pulled into my Dad's for a break. I let him out of the carrier, and he immediately wandered around the livingroom and made friends with the dogs. As long as a dog is calm, Matt will make friends with it. He's bold, tolerant, and big enough to not be intimidated by a large dog. He does not tolerate small dogs, because my mother brought over a terrier mix once that was determined to rip him to shreds, and he's been traumatized. This went into our decision when choosing a large breed

 

I have found baby gates usless the dog simply just jump over them. We have always had cats and dogs and everybody gets free roam of the whole house. These 2 were best of friends we got the cat as a kitten and dog was already full grown.

 

For big dogs, like labs I don't think baby gates will hold them trapped for long.
I have a gate from my stairs, but I think big dogs would just jump them. don't want my dog doing his business on the carpet.

Concerning the gate, I doubt it will work even more.
Due that my dog jumps our 3ft gate, and hes half your dogs size.

My dog I have at the moment is a French Bulldog. Hes not that big, but he is very alert, he'll bark at the tiniest move of the bushes.

If the dog is well trained, and is used to being around other animals, he should be fine with full access of the house.
Maybe if you want him not to go in a few rooms, just close the door.

 

I wouldn't trust a new dog with my cats. Period. Until YOU have determined he's completely safe with them, he needs to be kept either crated or in a room with the door shut. Your cats need a place they can escape to also. If the dog doesn't respect the gate (my GSD does), then you need to figure out a retreat for your cats ... in case. You can use a bedroom with a door stop on the opposite side of the door wedged in so that the dog can't push it open.

 

Keep the dog temporarily in a room close to the front door for now.
I’m mainly concerned for your cats because they need routine and a sense of safety. Trust me, there are so many cases of where owners do something unexpected or bring a dog home and the cats get stressed out and get territorial. Aka peeing all over the place, misplaced aggression with subsequent cats trying to kill eachother.
I recommend before introducing the dog to the rest of the house, to have the cats sniff the dogs scent (whether it be the dogs brush, his or her bed.) It will help with the anxiety once they see a huge (wolf) in their house.

 

I have a kennel for him, which I plan to keep in the living room. The cats don't actually spend much time there. He will stay in there for the times when I can't be at his side I plan to keep him leashed or kennelled for about a week or three(lol) , until they all get to know each other. I don't expect a gate to "hold" a 65Lb dog- it's a visual barrier. I've used two chairs side by side in the door frame when my dad's dogs come to stay, but that would be a pain as a permanent thing...Plus, the cats can easily leap the baby gate, so they would still have run of the house even if the dog doesn't.

As he's a Pound dog, I don't expect trouble kenneling him....I'm currently awaiting the results of the Cat Test. I have told them that I have cats, and asked them to see how he responds to stimluli.

For the cats, The main room that they live in has a Cat door, so they can travel in and out as they please, no matter if the door is open or closed. They also have a small emergency litter box in there. Another one inside the fish cabinet in the dining room, and two in the back hall, where no dog is ever allowed. I'll change their feeding place to their safe room, so they don't worry about being visited during meals. They eat right outside the door, and half of the time Midnight and Helen already eat in there, so it's a small change for added security. Matt will probably steall the dog food- he usually does when I sit for my dad...so I'll feed the new guy in the Kennel. There's also the Loft bed in my son's room, well out of the way of the dog, where Matt loves to hang out, and they have the run of the basement. I'll add extra litters down there too

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

 

We have 3 cats and a dog as well. I just think close supervision and lots of positive re-enforcement training is the key. Setting boundaries and being consistent. One cat is great with the dog they get along very well and have no issues there. Our second cat is comfortable with the dog he will rub his face on her and stuff but for some reason the dog is a lot more rambunctious & excited with this cat so we never leave them alone together. Afraid that through her playful roughness the dog would hurt him. Our third is a 6 pound cat that thinks he is a 400 pound lion and he hates all dogs. He would kill our dog if he could, so they are never together. Gates have worked for us, our dog is fully capable of jumping it but never does, like it doesn't even occur to her that she could. However she is able to squeeze herself through the kitty door that is in the gate itself if we left it open. It is a hilarious thing to see a 55 pound pit bull cramming herself through a 10" x 7" cat door.

 

I'd muzzle the dog and keep a leash attached to his collar for the first few weeks while he and the cats are out together. Even if he did test well with cats at the kennel, it's better to be safe than sorry until you re 100% sure that he's good with your cats.

 

But what fun would an alarm be. Most dogs are very protective of their owners.

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

I have been told that a barking dog is the best deterrent to intruders, but I love dogs so I'm not exactly impartial

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

Labs can be good protectors...but mostly theyre good deterrents

Labs have Big barks, and are total sucks lol. Mostly, he's to keep us "safe" for when we go for walks in the evening- were not bothered when we have a dog, but we have been a few times when out alone. The neighbourhood's kind of rough

 

Labs can be good protectors...but mostly theyre good deterrents

Labs have Big barks, and are total sucks lol. Mostly, he's to keep us "safe" for when we go for walks in the evening- were not bothered when we have a dog, but we have been a few times when out alone. The neighbourhood's kind of rough

I agree, my parent had a chocolate lab that would never bite anyone ever but had an intimidating bark. Most times that is all it would take.

 

Guesd I'm not as cautious because we have always had both dogs and cats.

 

Properly introduce the dog to the cats, and your house.
I have experience with introducing animals, this is how I would do it.

how I would do it

First of all, get a kennel big enough for the dog.
Then get a soft pillow, or something for the dog to lay on, place it in the cage then you can start introducing.

Get your cats in there for about an hour, so the cats scent will be all over the pillow.
Remove the cats, and put the dog in. Then he will sort of get used to their scent, and could stop some aggression between the two.

If you still don't trust the dog, (which I wouldn't either).

You can get a cheap dog, then you can put the cats on one side, and put the dog in the kennel, on the other side, so they can start to see each other.
Make sure the cats do not jump over the gate, and get on the dogs side, if hes still a little mean, they could get on his nerves, and stuff could go bad.

Monitor the dogs, and cats. See if any of them tries to attack each other in from gate to gate.
If none of them attack, and still don't trust the dog. (I would sort of trust him, now).

You can either pick, like Aureus said, you could muzzle dog, and keep him on a leash and get the dog around the cats, but don't let them attack.


--

 

I trust my dog, but I raised hI'm and have a lot of experience with him and I know him, inside and out. I'm talking about a new dog coming in as an adult. My cat is just as important as my dog and it's my responsibility to make sure she is safe and protected since she's so much smaller (6 lb Persian vs. 90 lb German Shepherd).

 

I’ll grab the pillow from the cats crate, that aught to smell

Also, they love the kennel and have used it on every occasion that I have put it up so it probably already smells like them-it’s a canvas one, like a tent. I plan to put a night light by the mesh window, so that he’s not scared off by the darkness


I’ll feed him in there and it will be his bed. Probably a bone would be a good start for him to like his new space

I really don’t see the cats coming anywhere near him for at least a couple of days unless he’s very friendly- my dad’s dogs are docile and only Matt walks right up to them- he bathes them lol

 

Alrighty sounds good.
Also after he gets settled in to it, you can let the cats roam around by the kennel, for him to see them.

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

you can't cuddle on the couch with an alarm system .. and it doesn't greet you at the door!

that's why! lol

 

when we got our dog- we gave our cats cat nip during the introduction they were so stoned out of their mind they didn't care about him...

cat nip- they love that stuff.

 

Labs are soooooo great but probably earlier lick someone to dead than bite hahaha.

Don't doubt !!!!!! You preped the right way.
Good thinking.

 

Labs are soooooo great but probably earlier lick someone to dead than bite hahaha.

Don't doubt !!!!!! You preped the right way.
Good thinking.

Agree, my friend has a lab retriever, and she gets a little bit rough trying to lick you.
She tries to jump, and lick.

 

Ugh jumping

I’ve suffered a number of fat lips to Chance jumping on me. He’s the shepherd I walk

INTRODUCING

Shamas(spelled wrong because the Irish hubby who named him left the building lol)

He seems young and is a tad reactive, but nothing I haven’t already trained Chance through. He’s too powerful for my youngest to walk, so we got him a harness on the way home . I decided to forget about the gate, as one glance tells me he is likely a “runner “ who can leaps fences for fun

Matt already came out to greet him, and they calmly touched noses.

Helen is giving him the evil eye

Midnight is trying to decide whether to sniff or flee

 

He’s such a cutie!
I’m glad you’re cats are sort of getting along.

 

you can't cuddle on the couch with an alarm system .. and it doesn't greet you at the door!

that's why! lol

It does greet you at the door...it goes "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

 

lol! But you can’t take it for walks and it costs as much as a canine friend

 

I told him it’s time for bed

 

It does greet you at the door...it goes "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

Make a combination ?

 

best alarm system ever!

So I’d say the first night was successful

I tried to kennel him and he flatly refused, but I frankly don’t blame him for the kennel is a bit dark and with his cone, not very spacious.

So we tried him under my daughters loft bed, where he settled down until he realized that she wasn’t with him and then he put up a terrible fuss, banging his cone on things and crying his distress at being left alone. As the cats live in the next room, we called an end to that

In the end he came to our room, and we shut the door. We put a pile of laundry at the end of the bed, for scent comfort but he spent the first part of the night in the bed with me.

Helen was quite put out about losing her place at daddy’s feet, so I leashed Shamas and opened the door about midnight so she’d stop crying- I figured the best way for her to meet him was asleep anyway, and he’s totally chill with the cats.

The only incident last night was when our son went to the bathroom and Shamas got Uber excited at 1am. This morning I kept him in the room until the cats were fed, which I always do immediately upon waking


The cats are handling him well. The only incident was when Matt said hello and then proceeded to waltz into the kennel and try to eat Shamas food (he always gets away with it when my dad’s dogs come over).....Shamas objected and told him so, offering a low growl and nose nudge to hurry the intruder from his cave. I doubt Matt will try that again

He’s not eating much yet, but I expect that for about a week or so so I’m not concerned. The cats didn’t eat when I got them too

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

Labs are great protectors. Most people have only ever heard their play bark, which is a lot different than their, "I'm serious," bark. My brother had a lab and a stranger walked into the house when I was there. We were in the next room and both jumped when we heard it- neither of us had any idea the dog could make a sound like that, and the guy, who was just a worker who came in with a question without knocking and surprised the dog, just froze and didn't move until my brother had doggie's collar.

 

I’m very happy so far

Shamas is currently living in the front room during the day, and our room at night

We did get a low gate to stop the cats from wandering in and eating his food, as Matt’s attempt had triggered some mild aggression.

Things are settling back down again now- he’s whining instead of the initial growling after Matt’s theft.

Helen keeps coming to the gate to ask for attention, so I make sure to always go over and give it. When asked so that she’s not jealous of him. Sometimes I’ll just make a coffee and sit on the kitchen floor for the cats to come to me.

I don’t think any of the cats realize they can hop the gate yet lol

We have to deal with his territory aggression...... he lunges at any dog that passes by. So I have swapped him to the prong collar and he is on that when we go out front for a smoke. The neighbors are being warned and are taking it well. I tell them all the same thing- he’s brand new and we found out he’s territorial- please give me a moment to get hold of him. Shamas is corrected by a shortened leash and the command “be nice “ followed by( for the owners benefits) “they have a right to walk by”

As he calms down to blowing and huffing, I pet him and take him to sniff the dog who just passed. I figure he should know the scents of his neighbors

 

Is a lab a good protector? If anything wouldn't an alarm system be cheaper than getting a dog?

I'm being black sheep here.

Labs are very good protectors of their family, I've had three in my life and they all were protective of the kids and house.
It just seems to come natural for them. All of mine were fine with cats, but as mentioned above keep a close eye on them for a couple days.

 

I’m more worried about the cat right now lol

Helen has a vicious streak and I have watched her set Shamas up for trouble

He isn’t aggressive if he just sees the cats, so she will walk just near enough that he thinks he can reach him, and assume a low hallowe’en cat stance. That sets him off. I’m now sending her away when she comes near him. The other thing she’s doing is blocking door ways, because she knows that I won’t walk him right up to her. I’ve had to have others retrieve her a few times now. I’m not surprised, as it took her 3weeks to warm up to my cats when I brought her home- but it’s a bit frustrating as I try to limit negative interactions

 

Congrats on you new dog, he is adorable! I was wondering, have you considered basic obedience classes? I know they helped us a ton when we got our dog. Plus it provides a chance for socializing your dog with other people and dogs. Might be helpful, but anyways good luck blending all of your babies!

 

We are actually eligible for 1 free class, and a discount for the course, once we can make time for it. I expect we’ll be able to do that once hubby starts night shifts

Today we fitted Shamas for a gentle leader, which is great. He tried to lunge at the neighbors dog again and was immediately redirected to a confused conflict with the evil thing that was holding his face in place. The other dog was perfectly safe.

I’m getting him out around the neighbourhood as much as possible too- about 3-4 hours a day of walking with one of those being at 8:30 am when the neighbors also have dogs out around the streets. Sometimes he meets tail wagging, others he growls....I’m trying to learn his triggers

 

We are actually eligible for 1 free class, and a discount for the course, once we can make time for it. I expect we’ll be able to do that once hubby starts night shifts

Today we fitted Shamas for a gentle leader, which is great. He tried to lunge at the neighbors dog again and was immediately redirected to a confused conflict with the evil thing that was holding his face in place. The other dog was perfectly safe.

I’m getting him out around the neighbourhood as much as possible too- about 3-4 hours a day of walking with one of those being at 8:30 am when the neighbors also have dogs out around the streets. Sometimes he meets tail wagging, others he growls....I’m trying to learn his triggers

The gentle leader is wonderful, we used with our dog for a while until she learned not to pull. Getting him out and about is a great plan, nice that you are able to devote that amount of time each day. Good luck!

 

Yes, I much prefer it to the Prong collar, which was the tool used last time I trained a dog. I only had it on shamas for a day before moving to the less forceful tool. I don't mind using a prong on a big hairy dog like a Shephard, but I was a little uncomfortable putting on Shamas when I knew I was only just gaining trust.

I want to get him out to a dog park, but I'm hoping to find a small one. I don't yet know how he is on recall, so a 1/2 acre park would tire me out trying to catch him if he doesn't come back

I feel like he'd do less cat-chasing if he could have a good run to settle him down...........It's as though he becomes over-stimulated when he sees them and just wants to get to them too fast. And Helen is a fighter, so she'll swipe his nose if I let him. Luckily he calls off when scolded......and puts himself in time-out. He gets time out when he chases cats, but is praised when he only whines, and wags his tail. I wish they'd stop approaching him and wait for him to calm down a bit- I can't even really confine them because the bedrooms have cat-doors. All I can do is add a pet gate to the living room so that Shamas and cats are seperated(neither realises they can hop the gate yet)

 

Shamas has settled in beautifully. I’m letting him roam the house while I am home now.

The youngest cats have claimed my eldest daughters room and Helen guards it vigorously lol. He’s allowed to walk by but if he pokes his nose in she
Leaps in front of him and hisses to tell him to get out

Matt let’s Shamas in his room as long as he leaves quickly and stays away from him and his bed, food

The cats are now coming out, and Shamas is for the most part leaving them alone

If he bothers them, I tell him to lay down and if he is persistent he gets time out- lay down, head down 2-3 minutes until I call him to my side.

This week I plan to begin with his separation training. I’m going to use my room, where he sleeps. Each time I leave him alone, he will be given a filled Kong so that he understands that being placed in there during the day is not punishment. The Kong will be specifically used to separation, and never allowed outside the room

 

So cute!!! Keep us updated on this little guy!

 

Great progress. Well done !!!!!