[tiggerwillow]

None of this applies in this particular scenario.

I know, I was addressing what read to me like "no dog will ever attack a human" I forget which post it was that I thought implied that

Will look back through the thread tonight to remind me, it's hard to navigate this forum on my phone (screen size, nothing the admin can do unless they can magic my screen into being laptop size during the times I'm on the forum)

 

[buffie]

If a dog will attack a smaller animal it is only one step away from it attacking a child or other dog - there have been enough cases of out of aggressive, out of control dog attacks in the very recent past to back up my thoughts.

Sorry @Bertie'sMum but that is utter nonsense .

 

[tiggerwillow]

Thanks. There are plenty of plants around but tbh there are also lots of elderly residents so actual plant pots are a hazard.
Misty has a favourite spot where she's mostly hidden and can watch the bugs in the hedge. The dog knows she's there and goes nosing for her.
If I know the dog is around I go and bring Misty in. She watches from the window sill for his return and was getting less nervy and more reassured that she's safe indoors. But I'm back to square one again since that last episode.
Yes I know the owner although not very well. She's a young girl who recently lost her home and is staying here with a relative for a while. The dog gives her great comfort and is her rock. He seems perfectly well behaved until he spots a cat.
I'm sure she does her best but believes Misty encourages the dog or is trying to play with him!?!?!
To be fair they only use the route to get from A to B, a short distance, and don't linger. But he badly scared her the first time, and Misty hasn't forgotten.
I do try and keep watching for him going out but it's not always possible. This is only a tiny flat so I love to see her outside feeling safe in her own territory. It's quite stressful now, for us both, sigh!

Sounds like she doesn't know cat body language tbh if she thinks Misty is inviting her dog to play

 

[O2.0]

Yes I know the owner although not very well. She's a young girl who recently lost her home and is staying here with a relative for a while.

It sounds like this is a temporary situation then? So if nothing else this should all resolve itself with time.
@Arny idea to try to desensitize Misty to the dog is a good one. If nothing else it should remind her that you are there to help and can be a safe place for her.

 

[Annealise]

Thanks. There are plenty of plants around but tbh there are also lots of elderly residents so actual plant pots are a hazard.
Misty has a favourite spot where she's mostly hidden and can watch the bugs in the hedge. The dog knows she's there and goes nosing for her.
If I know the dog is around I go and bring Misty in. She watches from the window sill for his return and was getting less nervy and more reassured that she's safe indoors. But I'm back to square one again since that last episode.
Yes I know the owner although not very well. She's a young girl who recently lost her home and is staying here with a relative for a while. The dog gives her great comfort and is her rock. He seems perfectly well behaved until he spots a cat.
I'm sure she does her best but believes Misty encourages the dog or is trying to play with him!?!?!
To be fair they only use the route to get from A to B, a short distance, and don't linger. But he badly scared her the first time, and Misty hasn't forgotten.
I do try and keep watching for him going out but it's not always possible. This is only a tiny flat so I love to see her outside feeling safe in her own territory. It's quite stressful now, for us both, sigh!

What a stressful situation for you both. Mitsy is only defending her territory after that awful scare. It was good that time that you managed to calm her down. Whenever my cat occasionally sneaks through the front door out the front, he becomes very territorial and there’s no animals there at all. I think he can smell they’ve been around here. I’m actually afraid of him when he’s like this as trying to calming him isnt effective. Hissing, growling and spitting at me. I just have to wait until he stops behaving like that. I think it’s called redirected aggression. There are some dogs that will go for a cat and this dog is one of them. Could you put Mitsy on a harness and an extendable lead so you’ll be be prepared to swoop her up if you see the dog?

 

[Cully]

I hesitate to say anything in case I jinx myself but things seem to have calmed down.
When the dog goes for his walk he appears to be under more control, so well done to his owner.
I just talk quietly and calmly to reassure her.
If Misty is indoors and she sees him outside, instead of getting all puffed up and on edge she just stiffens a little and watches until he disappears.
If she's outside she just stays hidden. So I'm really hoping 🙏 they've both become more accepting.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and trying to help. I do appreciate it 😊.

 

[harrischristopher818]

I agree with most of what @Bertie'sMum says , this is most likely just Misty's attempt to look more threatening than she actually is,I do however find the comment " go for small children" a bit of an odd thing to say.
Most dogs throughout history have shown their dislike of cats that doesnt mean they dislike small children or small dogs.

A dog that cannot be controlled can go for babys or toddlers as well as cats

 

[jasperthecat]

If a dog shows aggression toward other animals including cats then it needs training. Your cat is only displaying itself for the sole purpose of showing it won't be intimidated by the dog.

 

[olohachova]

My cat doesn't like dogs but keeps out of there way.
A new neighbour has a dog who hates cats. Barks and pulls on his lead when he sees one.
My cat and this dog met by chance outdoors and he terrified her, barking and pulling to get at her.
Now, when my cat sees the dog nearby she puffs up like a Halloween cat, turns her body sideways and runs (sideways) towards him. She takes a long time to calm down afterwards.
What's going on? I'm worried she might attack him or the dogs owner might lose control of him. He's very strong.

It is very important to protect the cat from unnecessary stress. Limit the number of encounters with dogs. And indeed, if the dog is large, its owner may not be able to hold the leash and it may attack him. And this can be tragic, I personally have encountered this more than once, unfortunately. So if the dog is not a cat's friend, then you need to make his life as far away from the dog as possible, or if this is not possible, then only hope to rely on the good faith of the dog owner.