So here is the truth about cats and dogs. They don’t have to chase, fight, or hate each other. Sometimes they can tolerate each other. And sometimes, even, they can love each other. And this is the proof. Josie and Molly aren’t staged or drugged. I didn’t bribe them with steak or anything. Molly sleeps and Josie simply crawls in bet with her and snuggles up. Nothing simpler. Nothing more beautiful.
Molly is reactive to anything with four legs and fur. She barks and jumps miles high. Her ears go back and it’s just no so pretty. So when we adopted Molly, breaths were held that she’d take to our cat. On Josie’s side, she’s been around Harper Lee, and she knew what dogs were; to her, they’re a warm body to sleep with and something that makes a lot of noise or races past her on its way outside.
Here’s where we sat on the first day.
Molly was leashed with her Gentle Leader (affiliate link). And when she barked, wanted to chase the cat, jumped, or got excited, I redirected her attention and put her back in a sit. And when she was calm, I gave her a treat. But here’s my secret: chicken. I gave Molly super delicious, very yummy chicken when she was good. And she learned how to be friends with the cat.
So now when Molly crawls into her bed at night, Josie follows soon after. And often, I find them that way the next morning, together in a friendly snuggle.
Man I wish it was like that in my house. The dog is great, but man my cat (Tia) is too busy trying to show everyone who is the boss. And I have never found a way to successfully train cats. Of course, she also tries to play with Amber, which just confuses the heck out of my poor puppy.
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Cats can be such jerks, can’t they? Yeah, I wish I could send my cat to training, once a week. I’d even take her on a leash if I thought it would help!
Pam Haskell says
To see those pictures and remember how she was with 5 black kittens at the same adoption event it’s just a miracle. I had to take her outside and sit on the bench until the adoption event was over. She was wanting to get at those kittens oh so badly.
Good work Anna and good girl Molly. You can do it with your awesome mama, Anna.
Pam 🙂