Serena has been home one week now!
The Schnauzers have been introduced and seem to do well untill she runs quickly, they want to run after her lol
Were still going slow and she spends most of her day in the safe room. We want her to come out with my husband me and the dogs. My guess is she'll run and they will chase her for awhile then things should be ok. Any one has this experience yet who c, offer some advice? She don't seem scared only unsure
I think I would be careful about letting the dogs chase Serena. That's the behavior you'd want to prevent until they're well acquainted and you know that the kitten is completely 100% comfortable with them. It's likely too soon to let her free from your arms in their presence.
I thought I had seen a recent post on this only to find it and discover it was yours - LOL ....
http://www.ragdollcatguide.com/forum/sho...hlight=dog
Elizabeth's comments there should still be helpful.
Keep us posted on how it goes.
Laura
I would definitely train the dogs not to chase her... insecurity can lead to avoidance.
My Lucky was in the same situation before he came to me - always chased when he wanted to run and play and in the end he was not having enough peace and quiet to eat properly and was very shy with his folks...
He came to me at 7 months old and he had issues with my dogs (hissing, spitting) for about two days. After that he just knew they wouldn't chase or scare him and he's been fine ever since ...
Thanks for the advice but I'm afaraid she may never come out
the dogs are going to want to smell her and then she runs and they chase. they arent going to calm down untill they are sure who she is.
dont know what to do now.
Hold her and have someone restrain them. Have them on their leashes. That should allow control of their initial excitement - and the chance she will be frightened - or even hurt.
She needs to feel safe and you have to be patience with her. This may take some time on her part.
My Great Dane was all ways in the down position when Cello came in to the room in my arms and pebbles was not allowed out of the down position.
We started with sniffing backed end of the kitten only.Everything went well we moved on to noise to noise,,,,still holding the kitten. We all sat on the floor Pebbles still in down position kitten was allowed to walk around at this point....Pebbles had to stay down.
If your kitten gets upset slow down your going to fast for the kitten.
Have your husband Offer your dogs some treats to help divert them from you and the kitten in your arms.
Don't allow your dogs to jump up when your holding the kitten,she needs to feel safe in your arms.
Hold on you will get lots of help Iam sure.
Until the dogs can learn, and it could take lots of time, to stay in a calm submissive state, you should not let Serena out of your arms. Don't allow the chase to take place, she is stressed if this is happening and things are still so new to both she and your dogs. You could try taking a step back and not progressing forward with the introductions for a wee bit. You don't want Serena to be overly stressed and she needs to be kept safe at all times. This is why it took us 7 weeks before we were successful at introducing Gracie to our dogs, until they could be calm and submissive and actually relax in the room with her (one at a time) then she stayed in our arms and the dogs were taken back out of the room.
I know that sometimes it feels like they will never calm down in each other's presence but ours did
While holding Gracie I would give her and the dog a kitty treat to give a good association from the meeting.
Thanks for your advice and support!
I have all the time in the world to make sure everything works out between then. My only worry is that she'll be lonely tho my husband sleeps in that room and we play with her a lot.
Spend as much time as you can, (but don't beat yourself up when she has to be alone for a wee bit).
I used the opportunity of Dexter in the "safe-room" for us to bond. You will reap dividends from that one on one time in the long run