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xxlynne · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject:

Harvie is loving his looooong walks and foster family. Spoilt rotten already.

Cat encounters have been a little of a concern but family going to take it more slowly and so all family are on 'caution' warnings with Cat's freedom and movements. Harvey kept at arms length as he reacted stongly to cat hissing at him.

...Anyone with any tips can you add them to our introducing a dog to cat thread under Dog Chat..

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Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

Hi All,
Thought I would post a little about our experiences with Harvey so far.
As you can see from Lynnes photos, Harvey came in determined to show us his pruning skills Smile

. Soon after Lynne left we took him for his first walk, he was a little strong on the lead at first but soon settled down once on the extender. He was so happy to be out, we met up with some other dogs, a few Cairn terriers, a Lab and an elderly Terrier, no reaction at all, seemed quite happy to be part of the crowd.

We got home and rushed out to buy bedding, food bowls, treats etc. Harvey made himself totally at home, but is very respectful of his place in the pack. He is house trained, asks to go out and we were able to leave him downstairs on his bed without a problem. After being told once, he hasn't attempted to come upstairs where the cat is at all. I am free feeding him and he eats when he is hungry and loves his new Kong and rawhide chews. He is a very lovely dog.

Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

Saying that the only concerns I have are his reaction to the cat, didn't pay her to much attention when he first arrived, so thought I would try him after a long walk and after he had been here about 6 hours.
I put the cat in a crate and unfortunately he went for the crate straight away, extremely focused on getting the cat out of it. I was able to get him away and he settled as soon as the cat was gone, but very worrying.

We were out again by 8am for a 2 hour walk and again really good on the lead and then the extender, came when called and good with every dog and person he met. I really can't fault him he is so sweet loving and calm, the kids 14, 10 and 7 love him, he is snoring on his bed as I type this.

I will keep cat and dog seperated for a few days to allow things to calm down and try him with a muzzle and the lead to see if the reaction is different. I really hope so, would hate to have him go he has brought so much joy into our family in just a few days, but if it is not to be, I would be happy to foster him until a cat free home could be found.

Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

Out for another walk this am, met another Staffie as large as him and Harvey was quiet happy to meet him, unfortunately the other dog decided he didn't like Harvey and lunged at him I was very pleased that Harvey actually tried to get away and didn't get riled up himself. When it happened a second time with another dog later on the walk he did stand his ground, but as soon as the other dog was pulled away Harvey sat down and ignored him, So cool! wav

EmmaSemple · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

Have you tried to put Harlie in the crate and allow the cat to wander? It may take a while but this does desensetize the dog to having the cat wander instead of him.
This is how I got Snowflake to accept cats walking about and she did ignore them in the end. It did take many months though. Confused

The good news is that as well as cats, she also ignred chinchillas, rats and other smaller caged animals in the end so it does work but takes a huge amount of time and patience.
When Snowflake arrived here she wanted to kill every small animal that was in a 1 mile radius! She was a good girl when she left. Very Happy

Emma
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Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

Thanks Emma for that tip. I have a large kennel, Harveys not crate trained but I will give it a try and see if in the evenings when things are quiet if that helps, don't want to stress him out will the kennel and the cat and the crate.

Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

Hi just thought I would check in and give an update about 'Harv the Marv' as the kids call him. He is doing wonderfully well. The cat issue is still there, he is in the kennel and ignores the cat, unfortunately the cat is traumatised by his very being in the house. My sister has just lost one of her cats and has offered Angel a home as a companion to the cat she has left, so we are considering it, but feel awful that she may lose the home she has with us. We have tried her at my sisters for the last few days and she seems more happy and content, but that just might be because she is totally out of the dog environment. Sad

.
Harv though on the otherhand is in his element. He goes for a long run every morning and is now off lead which he loves, he has good recall and is constantly checking over his shoulder to make sure we are within sight. He gets on with every dog we meet.
At home he is quiet, I think the walk wears him out, we take him for a half hour walk in the evening and he 'chats' the whole way. We have learnt that he can give his paw and since he has been with us he waits for us to go in and out doors before coming out himself, he won't go out the door if it is open and if there are any 'dinner time treats' he will wait with the bowl infront of his nose and not touch the food until I have told him ok.
What can I say he is brilliant, can't imagine how his previous owners could bear to give him up, oh and he was brilliant at the vets. ignored all the other over excited pets and was brilliant when picking up the kids from school, crowds don't bother him at all.!!! I can't say enough nice things about him, we love him to bits, would love to post a photo but he never is still long enough when we are out to get a decent one Very Happy

Jo1965 · User Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Eessex

I am at the computer, Harvie is beside me as usual snoring away. He continues to do well, he is up and ready at 6am every morning for his walk. He is on an extender leash now after the dog fight, he is funny with all intact males, so I feel it is better to be safe than sorry should he be off leash and encounter one while out. He doesn't seem to mind, we run 4 days a week and he is off out in front for at least 45 minutes of that.

I wonder how he will be Nov' 5th, he is frightened of thunder and any loud noises and will try to hide when he hears them, so the fireworks are bound to bring a reaction. He seems to cope by going upstairs and finding the smallest space he can to curl up in (usually the laundry basket).

We cant imagine the house without him in it. Here are some photos of him xx

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