 Barked: Mon Aug 3, '09 10:49pm PST |
 | |  | | We have a NAID and a SID (Siberian Indian Dog) with our 13 year old cat. We do not have a problem with our cat but racoons, squirrels, and other animals are potential targets.
We allow them to have squeek toys, tug ropes, stuffed animals, and other toys that could look like prey. Anything that runs triggers the prey drive. We felt we had to go beyond raising the dogs with the cat and place Bailey's pack rank higher then the dogs. We feel that NAIDs are more of a pack animal then most dogs and try to use this to our advantage. They want to fit in.
We have treat time almost daily with grilled chicken, sandwich meat, or any high value treat. Bailey is always given several treats first while the dogs wait. When he is done then both dogs get their treats at the same time. The higher ranking pack members are in front, go first and eat first. The dogs are lower then the cat but the dogs are equal to each other. Humans are above all animals. The dogs are not allowed to challenge Bailey. We continue to reinforce Bailey's higher rank in the pack as often as possible. It's for he own safety.
The dogs are not allowed to focus on or follow Bailey. When they were puppies they would try to chase Bailey if he started to run. The puppy would get pinned on their side immediately and then we bring the cat back and place him next to the dog and allowed the cat to walk away. The dogs must submit to the cat and they have to be gentle around him. We have not had to pin a dog for quite a while now.
Please check out the video on Kona's page of him during chewy time. Our cat calmly walks between Dewey and Kona. They give him plenty of room and Bailey is happy to be around everyone. Being gentle around the cat will get them a treat or praise and trust is earned over time. Keep the cat seperate if no one will be around. Especially in the beginning you should be present to stop any unwanted behavior. This may not have been the perfect method but it's working for us and we have a very happy home.
Other animals are not part of our pack and the dogs want to chase them. Leave it training works best here. We toss a treat on the ground and tell them to leave it. When they leave it and look back at us we give them a different treat (not the one we tossed). Use a leash if you have to but do not allow them to have the forbidden treat. Pick up the tossed treat and put it away or leave it will mean wait for later. Leave it must mean you cannot have it. Now if they see a squirrel we can tell them to leave it and they are pretty reliable especially if I tell them before they get too focused. If no one is there to tell them to leave it then they will chase it.
Our SID, Dewey, has the same father as Meeko. He is a very impressive hunter. The NAID and NAID hybrids are awesome dogs. We hope you enjoy your pack as much as we enjoy ours! |  |  | |  |
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