My Doodle and my cat

[Diane Denney]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to Doodlekisses. I have adopted a 8 month old Goldendoodle (he was almost 4 months when I got him), and I have three cats. One day I came into the kitchen to find that he had my cat under his mouth pinned, but the cat was fine. I have been working on the leave it command, and teaching him that it is not okay to chase the cats. My two female cats do not like him, and pretty much steer clear of him, but my male Nebelung seems to want to be near him all the time, and almost seems to tease him. Anyhow I'd love to hear some encouraging words as I'm a worry wart about this. I have a 6 year old shepard mix who also chased the cats at first, but now he and the cats are best friends even sharing a bed. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it turns out, but I'd be devastated if anything happened to one of my precious kitties!!

[Meg (Murphy's Mom)]

I think you will be fine. The family pack will work it out. It sounds like the female cats might never have anything to do with your GD but your curious male will probably end up being a great friend. Our Murphy was just a little over a year old when we got our kitty. They are very close friends now and even play pretty rough. I think the cat as he gets older is the rougher player. My cat however doesn't like other dogs and hisses at them if they get close. The kitty was only about 8 weeks old when we adopted it. It never really ever had a fear of our GD but still has the natural fear of dogs.

[Diane Denney]

Thanks!!! I'm hoping so. It does look like they are gravating toward each other. It's the strangest thing to see. My oldest cat Soby who is 7 grew up with Scottie (who is 6), and they actually share his bed, but Abbey and Haku have both slept beside him on his bed too. They too would not like a strange dog though!!!

[Becky and Bella]

My Golden doodle Bella loves one of our cats, Tucker. She chases him all over the house and outside too. At times they play pretty rough and I make Bella leave the cat alone. I assume they are friends because the cat rubs up against Bella and sniffs her when they aren't playing, but I do watch out for Tucker, as he is tiny (8 pounds). Bella also likes the other cat, but Cooper is much larger (13 lbs) and isn't so friendly to Bella, so I don't worry about him too much. They all sleep together at times.

[Diane Denney]

A couple of times Haku got out and Lincoln chased him all over the back yard, and Lincoln almost caught him once. Haku was so scared!!! Haku is very tiny too. Only 7 pounds or maybe almost 8. Nebelungs are very small boned and petite cats. I never worried much about dogs and cats together until my step daughter told me that her friends dog killed their cat. I thought at the time that that must have been an unusual circumstance.

[Christine and Daisy]

Hi:

I am reading posts and saw yours. Since it's been a few months since you wrote, how has it progressed with your three cats? Are you two females enjoying the company of your Doodle? I am in a similar situation with an 11 year old female and 3 year old male cats. The older girl is not warming up to the dog at all. They are separated and it's just been a challenge for me. I am a huge animal lover and giving more than I should, but it just seems to backfire on me. I was wondering if you have any pointers for me? My double doodle is 4 months old.

Thanks,
Christine

[Diane Denney]

Hi Christine!! I'm Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply!!! I haven't been on DK in a while as I had some personal things going on. I am happy to say that things are better with the cats. All of the cats will now go in the kitchen with him and are not afraid, but are still alert to him. Lincoln still gets overly excited sometimes, and I don't let them stay in there without me watching because he uses his big ole paws to play. If he ever hurt one it would be because he thinks he's playing, but he knows the leave it command pretty good now, and is starting to obey much better than he used to, but he still challenges me. He knows he's not suppose to mess with the kitties!!! He has become friends with my male cat, but it's still something I keep a close eye on because as I mentioned he still can become overly excited. Your Doodle is still very young so you have a bit of a road ahead of you. I will suggest to you what everyone here told me, and that is to train your Doodle!!! They need a lot of training. I was able to teach Lincoln at 4 months the leave it command, and I use it a lot :( It's good that you are keeping them separated as it's safer that way until you know he will leave the cat alone. Keep your chin up, and let me know how it goes!!