Greyhound and cats

[Michaela]

Hi all, 

We picked up our lovely greyhound on Sunday, we was told she was cat trainable and was told how to go about this. 

We got home and let her settle in then introduced her to the cat, to begin with we could distract her from the cat with treats but as the weeks gone on this had become impossible to do, we’ve tried ham, cooked chicken, bacon and other foods but nothing works, she’s fixated on the cat, she also whines and cries for the cat, she’s lunged at her multiple times, snapped at her multiple times, she’s also started shaking and drooling when looking at her. 

When we got her we was told her last race was in October but looking online we can see that she raced in December and we’ve been told two different reasons by two different people at the rescue for the reason of her retirement.

I’m quite concerned for my cats safety at the moment and was wondering if this has happened with anybody else’s greyhound and if they overcame it?

[1Moregrey]

Just have to state the obvious please keep a muzzle on at all times unless the cat and greyhound are securely separated. A slow quiet introduction where the cat is calm (not running around or flicking the tail) for a few minutes at a time is a good place to start.  It can take a long time and a lot of slow work to get it done.  

That said, I had a cat correctable foster that was ok for a few months, then became obsessed with the chase.  She and the cat were never allowed out at the same time.  Her pray drive was just to much and she lied 🤥 on her cat test.  

Try to see if your adoption group has someone who can reevaluate and give you some in person/video advice.  Sometimes the cat/dog fit is not the correct one.  Depending on what stimulates the pray drive.

My male gh was overly interested in my kitten when I got her.  He would try and pounce on her pick her up etc.  the thing that was in my favor was he was trained.  I just reinforced that he could only interact with her when he was laying down, no chasing in the house and the kitten was on a long line so I could get her if need be.  Dogs were always muzzled this went on for seven months before the muzzles came off.

[Michaela]

 

15 minutes ago, 1Moregrey said:

Just have to state the obvious please keep a muzzle on at all times unless the cat and greyhound are securely separated. A slow quiet introduction where the cat is calm (not running around or flicking the tail) for a few minutes at a time is a good place to start.  It can take a long time and a lot of slow work to get it done.  

That said, I had a cat correctable foster that was ok for a few months, then became obsessed with the chase.  She and the cat were never allowed out at the same time.  Her pray drive was just to much and she lied 🤥 on her cat test.  

Try to see if your adoption group has someone who can reevaluate and give you some in person/video advice.  Sometimes the cat/dog fit is not the correct one.  Depending on what stimulates the pray drive.

My male gh was overly interested in my kitten when I got her.  He would try and pounce on her pick her up etc.  the thing that was in my favor was he was trained.  I just reinforced that he could only interact with her when he was laying down, no chasing in the house and the kitten was on a long line so I could get her if need be.  Dogs were always muzzled this went on for seven months before the muzzles came off.

She’s always got a muzzle and Lea don when she’s around the cat. 
 

Our cat has been around dogs before so the cat is very calm and chilled around her but our gh just seems to go mad for her, the cat will be sitting doing nothing and Indy will be whine, cry, fixate on her and drool, she’s also learnt that in a certain position she can get to the door handle with her paws and open the door. This worries me as I don’t feel a baby gate will do anything to help the cat if she gets out.

I will give the rescue a ring tomorrow and see if there’s anyway we can do a video call so they can see what she’s like and hopefully give some advice!

Edited January 16, 2021 by Michaela

[Remolacha]

It is very early, but I am sorry to say that she does not sound cat trainable to me. By all means, talk to your group, but for the safety of your cat, she may not be the right dog for you.

[HeyRunDog]

8 hours ago, Remolacha said:

It is very early, but I am sorry to say that she does not sound cat trainable to me. By all means, talk to your group, but for the safety of your cat, she may not be the right dog for you.

I agree. It sounds like the group have mixed two dogs up and yours isn't as cat safe as they thought. Ask if they can do their cat safe check again with you there and if you do decide to return her do it sooner rather than later. 

[Michaela]

10 hours ago, Remolacha said:

It is very early, but I am sorry to say that she does not sound cat trainable to me. By all means, talk to your group, but for the safety of your cat, she may not be the right dog for you.

Thank you for your honest reply! 
 

This is what I was worried about, she’s an absolute ace dog, brilliant with the kids, loves a cuddle, all in all a massive softie but when the cats around she’s a completely dog and the safety of the cat is my main concern as the cats been here for six years!

[LBass]

15 hours ago, Remolacha said:

It is very early, but I am sorry to say that she does not sound cat trainable to me. By all means, talk to your group, but for the safety of your cat, she may not be the right dog for you.

I have to say that I agree with this assessment.  I've heard it said that sometimes hounds "lie" during their cat tests. OMO, lots of things can make the cat testing done by adoption groups less than ideal. 1) dogs in a new environment, adjusting to everything and not acting quite as their normal selves, 2) dogs being testing with cats in a room lying down as opposed to being tested with active cats, 3) dogs tested once only.  At any rate, I have had 4 Greyhounds living with cats and none of them behaved like that--the focus on the cat, the drooling, the "hard work" of it all.  I know it's hard to contemplate, but I think that you need to work with this group to return your hound  and the get their help in finding a truly cat safe/workable hound.  The difference is amazing.

[Michaela]

2 hours ago, LBass said:

I have to say that I agree with this assessment.  I've heard it said that sometimes hounds "lie" during their cat tests. OMO, lots of things can make the cat testing done by adoption groups less than ideal. 1) dogs in a new environment, adjusting to everything and not acting quite as their normal selves, 2) dogs being testing with cats in a room lying down as opposed to being tested with active cats, 3) dogs tested once only.  At any rate, I have had 4 Greyhounds living with cats and none of them behaved like that--the focus on the cat, the drooling, the "hard work" of it all.  I know it's hard to contemplate, but I think that you need to work with this group to return your hound  and the get their help in finding a truly cat safe/workable hound.  The difference is amazing.

Honestly the thought of having to take her back breaks my heart , she’s only been here a week and I’m in tears knowing I have to do the right thing for both her and the cat.

I know she’ll be an amazing pet to a family without a cat, I’ll speak to the rescue tomorrow but thank you for replying.

[Fostr_Mom]

I had a foster that tested cat safe and seemed to be ok with cats and small dogs, until....we had a rabbit in the yard that he caught.  After that he would react to the cats in a pet store and actually went after a small dog that my oblivious neighbor let out of her house to run right at us .  We've had dogs returned because they seemed to be cat safe but yes, lied on that test.  It happens.  It does sound like your dog is not going to be safe with cats. No shame in returning the dog to find a cat free home. She will be much happier, your cat will be much happier and safe.  

[LBass]

I'm so sorry and I do understand how difficult it is to consider returning a dog you already feel love and commitment toward.    I think that you nailed the core of the decision when you mentioned doing what was "the right thing for both her and the cat".  That's it.  You want to keep your beloved cat safe and you can't build a sound relationship with your hound if you are forever on guard and vigilant, wary of her as a threat to your cat.  This is not your fault nor is it hers.  

I too had to return my very first hound.  Her name was Gracie and she was with me for about a week.  It was the same scenario exactly as you are facing.  She was "cat safe" according to the adoption group but when she met my cat in my house, Gracie went into hunt/chase/kill mode and stayed that way.  All these years later, I know that returning her was the right decision for her, for me, and for my beloved Yoda.  I waited almost a year before trying another Greyhound adoption.   That brought Piper The Perfect into my life.  He taught me how a cat safe Greyhound behaves--no threat to my cat at all, ever. No fears, tension, doubt, anxiety.  You, your cat, and this hound, who is just being who she is, deserve the same.  Warmest thoughts and good wishes for all of you.  

[Remolacha]

It is amazing how fast you can fall in love with these dogs, but it sounds like returning her is the best thing for her, and your cat, and the earlier it is done, the easier it will be for her. You can find a dog that you will love just as much who will be a good companion for you and your cat.

[Michaela]

2 hours ago, Remolacha said:

It is amazing how fast you can fall in love with these dogs, but it sounds like returning her is the best thing for her, and your cat, and the earlier it is done, the easier it will be for her. You can find a dog that you will love just as much who will be a good companion for you and your cat.

Hi,

we agreed to return her tomorrow and spoke to the rescue who was happy to have her back. 
In the mean time she’s managed to sneak out of the front room, jump the baby gate and attack the cat, we’ve now got the cat in the vets with a collapsed lung! 
It’s amazing that the rescue can say that our greyhound was cat trainable when anyone would be able to see she wasn’t!

[LBass]

What a frightening experience for you and your cat.  I'm so sorry this happened.  This hound will make someone without cats a wonderful companion.   

[Remolacha]

I am so sorry to hear your cat was injured, I hope he makes a complete recovery

[1Moregrey]

Sorry about your cat, prayers for a speedy recovery.

[Michaela]

2 hours ago, LBass said:

What a frightening experience for you and your cat.  I'm so sorry this happened.  This hound will make someone without cats a wonderful companion.   

I know she’ll make someone a great family pet, she’s a beautiful dog and even after what happened I was sad to see her go but she’ll be so much happier in a house without small animals!