New Husky and Cat - Page 4

Sled dog hotel · #31 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophie_xxx

Wow lots of activity on this thread over the weekend, and lots of interesting and helpful posts! Thank you.

We are not 100% set on keeping Mishka yet, my mum asked how I felt and i said my main concern is the cats.

However, she did escape again yesterday morning. Both Mishka and Yuri were outside playing, my mum had turned away for a second to fill up their water bowl when she heard Yuri barking. When she went outside, Mishka was standing on the brick wall. My mum shouted at her and Mishka tried to turn around to come back into the garden but slipped off and fell down to the otherside, by the time we got round to the other side she was gone. Again, thankfully she was found by 2 dog walkers who said she was heading towards the dual carraigeway!! All this being said, we have found out how she is getting up onto our 6 foot brick wall, there is a big compost box at the back of our garden which she is jumping up onto first. We have now blocked this off so she cant get up onto the wall.

Now im sure to everyone reading this, Mishka sounds like a devil dog but she really isnt. She comes to you instantly when called and does as she is told. She has been spayed also, and I did think the reason for her escaping and higher prey drive is because she's female!

I think my parents are still contemplating on what to do with her, but I do know we will keep her until we can find a suitable home, if that's the case.

Going back to the cat problem though, we are fully aware of her capabilities (and Yuri's) so we will NEVER leave them unattended when the cat's are about. Never. However, she IS getting used to them. Slowly. Most of the time when Tabitha is under the table, Mishka will stick her head under the table and rest it on the chair with her ears back, tail wagging just looking at her. However, when the cat is eating her food on the floor out in the open, its a differnt story. Mishka's ears go up and she goes into predator mode which I dont like. As soon as she does this, she's pushed out into her "area" and told off.

I think I might try the idea of putting her on a lead and letting her be within a safe distance of the cat. Yuri is no angel either, he killed a squirrel when he was a puppy BUT now he is older, he is able to be in the same room as the cats AND our pet rats - in fact, he's scared of the rats to be honest

But we will never forget what he really is and his potential.

No she is not a devil dog, just a pretty normal siberian Husky, whos previous owner sadly didnt have the sense to be careful and see that she didnt have a chance to exercise all the things she could be capable of if given the opportunity. Once they know they can escape and have killed, it becomes a rewarding activity, so it goes from potential that all sibes and Mals have instinctively to a rewarding fulfilling behaviour, things that are rewarding are likely to be repeated, and will be if the prevention is not stepped up.

Rottiefan I rest my case.
Maybe I could have put things more subtle, but when it comes to my cherished breeds, after years of hearing the same things, trying to educate people who have brought them for the wrong reasons only to be ignored, and then hear later the dogs been moved on or worse under the wheels of a car because its escaped or run off whilst off lead sometimes I do lose patience
and being subtle is the last thing on my mind!!

Sacremist · #32 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 11:42 AM

Awww! Noooo! I would not call her a devil dog. She's following her instincts that's all. If we branded all animals as devil's fir following their instincts then we would have to say cats are devils as well. If my cats saw a mouse or bird they would not hesitate to savage it.

Whilst I respect Rottiefan's point of view, I'm afraid I have a lot more belief in the views of those who own this breed. It's all right saying they can be trained but what if Rottiefan is wrong? It's not his cat's lives that are in danger. He isn't going to pay the ultimate price. He won't be left with the guilt. I would say listen to Sled Dog and Malmum, for the sake of your cats and your own peace of mind.

Sophie_xxx · #33 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 12:43 PM

I will show this thread to my mum, as she is the main decision maker in this.

We have a set routine in our house. When the dogs are out for their walk or eating dinner, then we put Tabitha (the house cat) outside for an hour whilst the dogs arent around so she can do her business and what not. When she is ready to come in, my mum will open the out-house door whilst keeping hold of Mishka by the collar so Tabitha can come in. She will only come in once she knows Mishka is being restrained, she'll then process to strut past. If Mishka is good, and just sniffs she will get praised. We do not have a cat flap so there is no danger of the cats wondering outside when the dogs are out. They can only get out if we physically put them out, that way we have more control. I admit it's a bit of a pain but for the past few weeks, we have done ok! As for our other cat Ollie, he never goes into the back garden - his area is out the front of the house so he is always let out the front door.

Because Mishka has killed in the past, she knows she can do it. Yuri on the other hand has been brought up from a puppy with other small animals, so yes, he will chase the cats but once he's caught up with them, he just wants to play and puts his bum in the air - not really knowing what to do next! He's even been in the same room as the rats, and although he's fascinated by them he wont go within 3 feet on them because you can tell what he's thinking - "What the hell is that!?!"

But like I said, i will show this all to my parents and its up to them. Tabitha is my cat who Ive had from 9 weeks old, she is now 13. SHE is my baby, the dogs are the parents babies...and both mum and dad know how I feel about Mishka and the cats. Its my main worry.

Sacremist · #34 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 01:27 PM

It's good that you are taking precautions but as the saying goes, 'To err is to be human'. Human beings are not perfect, we all make mistakes. We are basically flawed and careless: all of us. It may take only one lapse in cautiousness for a disaster to take place and you will all have to live with the consequences of that, which can end up making all of you very ill with grief and guilt.

Rottiefan · #35 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 04:44 PM

OP, if you really, really want to keep the dog, then I would recommend getting in touch with a behaviourist- a qualified one- who can give some real feedback on the issue. We can only advise here. I personally can't make any complete decision about a dog without actually seeing it- but I am not about to count out a dog on breed alone.

Just because your dog's breed has more predatory characteristics (such as the grab, kill bites and dissect, along with giving eye and chasing) in its genes, it does not mean that every dog will display it.

No organism's brain comes fully wired up, it's a complex relationship between the genes and environment. As a puppy grows, nerve cells form connections in its brain. There are critical periods for the development of behaviours. But if a dog is not exposed to certain stimulation at the time of development, then those connections are not made. Innate behaviours mean nothing if not giving the opportunity to develop in the environment. This is my argument- that your dog, despite showing interest in your cats, does not have to be a cold-blooded killer just because of its breed. And if you really want to make it work, I think you should get professional help to give a final answer if you will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sled dog hotel

Rottiefan I rest my case.
Maybe I could have put things more subtle, but when it comes to my cherished breeds, after years of hearing the same things, trying to educate people who have brought them for the wrong reasons only to be ignored, and then hear later the dogs been moved on or worse under the wheels of a car because its escaped or run off whilst off lead sometimes I do lose patience
and being subtle is the last thing on my mind!!

I completely understand. I am as passionate about certain aspects of behaviour as you are about your breed, and there is IMO a lot of perpetual BS in the dog world, which has no foundation. I am not completely sure when Huskies and Mals' predatory behaviour onsets during development, but I am sure that socialising the dog with livestock before that period would create quite a trustworthy animal. Socialising afterwards will be less effective. Perhaps that's where the issue lies? More understanding of the exact time of predatory behaviour development in these breeds could give way to more responsible ownership.

@Noushka- I won't give a full reply, but I see many issues with the 'problems' of the breed, in the description you gave. It's not to say that certain behaviours are not present in the breeds, just that the understanding of them is flawed, and a better understanding of them would mean more responsible ownership and less mishaps?

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