we have been taking katiyja out 6-7 times a day/night - even in the middle of the night because she makes a certain yip and then always does her business. she has learned to let us know when she needs to do her business and that is amazing for a very big dog that is still a little baby - she hasn't done her business in the house for about 3 weeks now!!!
she learns more every single day. she has completely bonded with us and us with her but the cats still can't stand her. she is 3 times their size and lunges at them every time she sees them. but she really wants to be friends. she is with us for most of the day/evening and then she sleeps in her little crate in the bathroom. we can't let her have the run of this tiny house because the cats' routine has been blown to smithereens and we don't want to put them off of their routines more than we have to. when she is let loose in the house she jumps on everything, tries to destroy everything and scares the cats! hence, why we put her in the bathroom at night.
have you ever not had proper access to your bathroom? it's good practice for SHTF let me tell you! we have our composting toilet set up in the shed...and during rainy nights it is NO fun having to go out to the shed to do your business!
but the cats are getting used to her. they keep going up to her, very cautiously, and if she gets too jumpy they swat and hiss at her. it breaks my heart, it breaks her heart - she just wants to love them. even if her kind of love is 60lbs of husky trying to jump right on top of you, lick you and treat you like a chew toy!
so we came up with this idea to slowly socialize her with the cats. we have blocked off an area of the living room for her. all of the cats like to come in the living room in the evening and watch a movie with us. we have a crate for katiyja but she hates it - she prefers her bathroom. so we have blocked off this area of the living room for her so that she can get in her crate, or go under the couch or lay in the middle of the floor - and the cats can still get on the couch, or the table, or the hutch, or the shelf and be able to watch her and socialize with her.
here it is with the door closed.
we can be on the couch - she can't jump up on things yet - she's smart but not that smart - bahahahah! we have done more research than you can imagine, we have spoken to our vet several times (she'll be getting spayed at 6 months old which should help calm her down) - we love advice and will sincerely take everyone's advice into consideration but we have learned that what works for one dog doesn't work for all - and our vet has told us to just do what our guts tell us.
our plan is to take her out and run her around with all of her balls and toys (don't forget tug-of-war between her, jambaloney and the jeans!) - and then we are going to take her into the new living room. we will sleep with her in there tonight and for the next several nights but only if she, and the cats, seem ok with this new set-up. otherwise we are going to be doing our business in the shed for the next few months.
here's nudie-noo - he doesn't wear pants and he always goes up high if the dog is in the house.
he also shows off every chance he gets to katiyja because he knows she watches intently! she loves those idiot cats but so far....they are having nothing to do with her!
sorry if i haven't been getting to your blogs - we're up to our eyeballs in harvest and trying to train and socialize this puppy...and the cats. we know a lot of people would chuck the puppy in a crate and leave her there crying for hours, or chuck her on a chain tied to a tree - but that's not how we do things. she is a new and very important member to our family...and we are really trying our best!
They will eventually get used to her. Or at least some of them will. One or two of our cats still don't like the big dogs no matter how much time goes by. I have found the neutered male cats seem to adjust to a dog faster and better than the females. Others mileage may vary.
ReplyDeletePP - you'r dead right! growing up we always had dogs and cats and some cats liked the dogs but some of them just avoided the dogs. it will all play out eventually. but it breaks my heart for her because she really does want to be friends with them - but they are having nothing of it so far!!!
DeleteAs I'm terrified of dogs, yes I know I'm a wimp, I'm impressed with your determination to integrate the dog with the cats. I can imagine it's a nightmare, especially going outside to pee in a shed in the middle of the night. :D
ReplyDeletehey Joey - did you have a bad experience in your youth with a dog? but thanks for recognizing that we really are trying to integrate them - huskies are pack animals and they really need to be part of a pack and 3 members of what she perceives as her pack don't like her! it's heartbreaking!
Deleteeven more heartbreaking - peeing in the shed in the middle of the night - bahahahahaha! you really get it buddy!
Sounds like you are integrating her into the family pretty well. She'll be a lot more sedate once she's a little older.
ReplyDeleteI like the inside pictures of your house, I don't think I've really ever seen what it looked like inside before. Looks cozy.
Not raining here now, but the wind is up. I moved my truck down to the meadow because where I usually park it, the big tree is swaying too much. If it fell on the truck I'd be out of luck.
Harry - the vet says the same thing - that she'll be more sedate when she is a bit older and is spayed. the vet said that she will really calm down when spayed...so we are looking forward to december!!!
Deletethank you for saying the house looks cozy - it's actually an upside-down mess right now but hey - you can only do what you can do and with the harvest and the puppy and regular life - ack! it will all get attended to!
i am glad that you moved your truck - a big tree falling on it is the last thing you need right now! and i hope that your area is done with the monsoon!!!
i had a similar set up when bringing a chow chow into a multi cat house. Though I fretted, the cats went into the dogs space as they felt inclined, and in no time, everyone tolerated each other.
ReplyDeletethanks for that jewlz - your story is exactly how i want it to happen with our cats and dog!
Deletenever heard of thunder jugs?
ReplyDeletehahahahaha!!!
p. s. be sure to get ones with lids!
ReplyDeletei've heard of them deb - just never thought i'd need one - bahahah! might have to look into purchasing some!
Deletein all seriousness - we have a composting toilet that we are now using. we use it when we are having a day at the river (haven't had a river day in how long???ugh!) - so jam went and got it from the river and now we are using it in the hallway. it sucks but it sure beats having to go out to the shed - bahahahahah!
Try almost 14 days of rain, drizzle, or monsoons. I hope I can have that picture soon.
ReplyDeleteChief - so sorry for the monsoons that you guys have been having - it's awful and can really wear a person down! i am sending sunshine happy days down to you guys - make sure to enjoy them!
DeleteThe cats will come around, and everyone will be back to their normal self's. Harvest time here farmers are pulling in soy beans and last cuts of hay. Corn should start soon.....xoxoxo...
ReplyDeletePS Sammy is in a early child ed class once a week for 1 1/2 hrs. So far one class and did well. Sammy will be two years next month, and my oldest son will be 29....OMG i'm old.....LOL
ya, that's what we figure Rob! i always envy you having access to all of that corn - i love corn! and we have a very short period here when we have access to local corn.
Deletei can't believe that Sammy is almost 2!!! where does the time go???
You have heard the difference between how cats and dogs view humans, correct?
ReplyDeleteDog: "They provide me everything for me. They must be gods!"
Cat: "They provide everything for me. I must be a god!"
Interestingly the rabbits and Syrah the Mighty endure each other with no problem. She feels no need to chase them although she will hound the hares in our yard; They can hop right by her nose on the carpet and she will not respond.
TB - that's a good one and it is sooo true! and i am glad that Mighty Syrah does not go after the rabbits - that's awesome!
DeleteShe will come around & all will be well once she starts getting out of that puppy stage. Yes, I know it can't come quick enough but it WILL come. The cats will do what they each decide on their own. No teaching them, they will like her or not, it's not up to humans to decide for them!
ReplyDeleteDFW - you're right - she's still very young and needs to grow up a little before she'll calm down. the cats are interested but they just don't like to get too close to her. it breaks my heart tho because she is really interested in them!
Delete