Cat Fight or Flight?

Recently I helped place this cat in a home.  His name is now Diego and he’s about 8 months old.  He was found in a yard by a neighbor after the owners moved away. He went to one of my co-workers who just moved into a new house. They have a female cat who is about 2 years old. The problem is every time they are introduced there is a raging cat fight – fur flying, chasing, hissing… very aggressive.  He is a sweet and loving cat when he is by himself, but when he is with the other cat he attacks and chases her. It’s to the point that they want to give him to her father, but he has a cat as well.  I’m worried about what if this happens again.

Can you help with what could be causing him to be so aggressive?

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I have to be brutally honest with you. You are not going to be able to change this reality. Diego comes from abuse, and the cats whose homes he is coming into are going to smell that fear and not welcome peaceful energy. It's a fight from the start. Diego needs to be in a family that has no other pet in it. In that way, he does not have to share the limelight with any other animal. This is the best way to help him be happy and shine!

I wish you luck in placing him in a new singular environment.

A True Ace

My boyfriend and I welcomed Ace into our home last month—he is a fantastic, well behaved yellow lab! He was born on 12/26/08. He is definitely one of the most laid-back and calmest labs I have ever met. We have many dogs that live in my building and some of them, especially the smaller ones, will bark and act aggressive towards him. He doesn’t cower but doesn’t return their negative energy either. Everyone he meets from the vet, obedience school trainer to doggy daycare workers loves him. This is Ace pretty much 99.9% of the time. On some occasions however, he acts withdrawn and prefers under the bed or in his crate over us for extended periods of time. He didn’t finish his meal this morning either. This rarely happens but thought it was worth mentioning. We both work 8 hour days and didn’t feel that it was right to keep him alone for that long. The dog-sitter we use is a friend of the family. She has three dogs and a cat and is great with animals. They have a pool and a nice backyard so the dogs are kept well entertained. We do this 4 days a week. The 5th day he goes to a more formal daycare,which is a larger group of dogs at a facility. He is with us 24/7 on the weekends. My question to you is why is he so calm? I am definitely not complaining, but sometimes it worries me that he is so calm and at times, seemingly withdrawn. I tend to be overanalyze and every time something off happens (i.e. he doesn’t finish a meal or goes under the bed) I get nervous. Marisa E.

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PUPPY LOVE

Your dog is pooped out, he’s tired. He gets a lot of activity all week and finally, by the time he sees you he really just wants to chill and relax. If he goes to his little sacred space, which is might be his crate or away from you, don’t be insulted or worried. This just means he is going to get some private time. The other thing you have to keep in mind is that this dog is very bright. He knows when he is being cajoled into things he may not be ready to do, like eat. So if he is not hungry, don’t force him. Unless you see a dramatic change, like he is not eating at all in a 3-day period, then that would be something to report to your vet. Remember, he is a puppy and they tend to sleep alot; he is going t o change his eating habits as he grows into his body. Double check the food you are giving him with the vet and check into supplements. Above all, just keep loving Ace because you have a really wonderful, sweet and loyal companion!

Managing Madison

I am happy that I found your page its beautiful!! My name is Steve and I acquired a puppy from a kill shelter a few months ago. Her name is Madison and right now she is five and half months old. She is loving, loyal, and a bundle of energy. The only issue I have with her is she is timid of people and bigger dogs at times. She constantly barks at children, she seems fearful and aggressive with them. Can you shed any light on these issues? Thanks, Steve
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A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS...

I picked up a strong sense that sweet Madison is still feeling the abusive treatment from when she was much younger. Many people with small children bring home an animal and rarely consider the fact that it is not right for their children to pull tails, throw things or generally abuse the family pet. I fear this was the case with Madison. It will take a lot of nuturing from you, but if you introduce children and animals to her in small, slow doses, it might be helpful.

I strongly suggest you start watching Cesar Milan's Dog Whisperer show, as well as pick up some of his books. Also, think about having a trainer come into your life to help you with these very issues.

Take your time, and give Madison a lot of love.