Dog experts please

[Nicole]

So guys, heres whats happening.

I have (as many others think) the best dog in the world, she'll sit there and think shes a kid when theres a room full of kids, she's never bitten a thing, my friends 3yo boy was poking her in the eyes on the weekend and she was laying on her back & wagging her tail. She gives the best cuddles and is an amazing family member. I also have 2 cats, both please themselves and will do as cats do, sleep 90% of the day, come in for a quick pat and then demand food.

In the last month, Millie (the dog) has started growling whenever the cats come a) near me b) into the room or c) for the sake of growling.
She doesn't do it with kids, I make sure she hasn't got food in the lounge area and she doesn't do it at dinner time, in fact she eats out of the same triple feed bowl as the cats without a worry in the world.

Any idea whats going on? someone said that maybe one of the cats gave her a clip (I can't see it)
How on earth can I stop her from doing it? I throw her outside, put her on the ground and even spray her witha  water bottle, but nothing changes.

Thanks

[luna nyan]

Is it jealousy?

Try lavishing attention on her when the cats are near you - she may be feeling her social position is under threat.  Dogs are very much aware of a social hierarchy.

[Jess42]

OK first off dogs are pack animals, cats are not. A dog will see you and all the other animals as in its pack. Hopefully your dog sees you as the alpha of the pack and probably has established herself as the alpha female of your little pack. I really wouldn't worry too much about it and let her work it out with the cats herself. If she grew up and or has been around the cats for a long time, she probably won't hurt them, just a show of force of who is second in command of the "pack".

Really I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your dog is just being a dog. If she does start growling at the kids then you may have a problem. But since you say the dog and cats eat together and dogs are gluttonous by nature and she doesn't keep the cats away from the food means she really doesn't have a problem with them. Just let her growl and establish her place in the pack. Cats are pretty good at taking care of themselves and if she does go after them they may give her a little swipe. Its probably something you will just have to let happen.

[alexis.j]

It sounds very much like jealousy to me.
They can also become very possessive. ..

[Nicole]

It shouldn't be jealousy, when ever I sit down on the couch we are cuddling. In bed we cuddle most of the night and up until the past month or so she was fine with me patting the cats while cuddling her.

Its almost like one of them gave her a clip.

They all eat out of the same triple feed bowl.

As for kids, I held a party here over the weekend, every parent was amazed at how great she was with their kids.

[Bombadil]

So, I've got some questions for you. How old is she? How long has this behavior gone on? Has there been any changes in your life or your dog's life. It does not have to be related to cats. What is her body language when she growls at the cats? Things to look for- is she moving closer to you, lunging towards the cats, panting, licking her lips, is her tail up or tucked, are her ears back or forward. The body language is important. It will tell you a lot about what's going on.

It shouldn't be jealousy, when ever I sit down on the couch we are cuddling. In bed we cuddle most of the night and up until the past month or so she was fine with me patting the cats while cuddling her.

None of that means it can be jealousy or resource guarding. Resource guarding is when the dog thinks something belongs to it (in simple terms). A dog can resource guard a toy or a human. My dog does this with me. Even if I'm cuddling, he doesn't want the cat near. In his head, the cat may try to take me away from him.

How on earth can I stop her from doing it? I throw her outside, put her on the ground and even spray her witha  water bottle, but nothing changes.

As you've already discovered, this isn't going to work. If your dog is resource guarding you, she may well be getting rewarded in a way by your actions. First of all, you put all your attention on her, thus ignoring the cat. Second, by taking her outside you are moving away from the cat. If your dog got a clip from a cat, all your doing is confirming that the presence of cat causes unpleasant things to happen (getting thrown down and sprayed with water).

Ok, I've probably overwhelmed you with information for now.

[Nicole]

So, I've got some questions for you. How old is she? How long has this behavior gone on? Has there been any changes in your life or your dog's life. It does not have to be related to cats. What is her body language when she growls at the cats? Things to look for- is she moving closer to you, lunging towards the cats, panting, licking her lips, is her tail up or tucked, are her ears back or forward. The body language is important. It will tell you a lot about what's going on.


Its been about a month.
the changes are I'm home a little bit more, but thats it.
When shes doing it half the time shes not even moving, just a growl like shes too lazy to move, she could be on me, next to me or even away from me and she does it.

None of that means it can be jealousy or resource guarding. Resource guarding is when the dog thinks something belongs to it (in simple terms). A dog can resource guard a toy or a human. My dog does this with me. Even if I'm cuddling, he doesn't want the cat near. In his head, the cat may try to take me away from him.

She does have a toy with her. Most of her toys last about a week until she gets the stuffing out, this one she doesn't seem to be too keen on, yet its always near enough to her on the couch. It doesn't come to bed and she does it there too.

As you've already discovered, this isn't going to work. If your dog is resource guarding you, she may well be getting rewarded in a way by your actions. First of all, you put all your attention on her, thus ignoring the cat. Second, by taking her outside you are moving away from the cat. If your dog got a clip from a cat, all your doing is confirming that the presence of cat causes unpleasant things to happen (getting thrown down and sprayed with water).
I have a little spray bottle, which she knows if I grab it shes in trouble. Half the time I just have to reach for it and she'll stop.
I'll stop that now.


Ok, I've probably overwhelmed you with information for now.

Thanks for all that

Nic