Jules, I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make, none of which will come easy x

What a horrible decision for you. Big hugs xxxx

I know you posted about your concerns a while ago hun, About Ruby and her problem with the cats , Is there any behaviourists that can maybe help with Ruby aggresson towards the cats , I know you love Ruby dearly as does your family and this must be a gut wrenching time for you , And an awful decision to be made , I hope you can find some way of resolving the problem so you can keep Ruby , Wishing you the best of luck xxxdk

Thanks for posting the detail, I also found your previous posts on the subject (before I joined!), in the absence of which my post may have sounded harsh to you, apologies.
It seems you have tried a number of things without success, but not for the want of trying.

However, I do stand by my statement that emotional attachment in dogs is indeed different and a young dog passed from from owner to owner is far from ideal situation-wise....each time they 'get away with' more as they are assessed and new owners draw (different) boundaries. Now when you pass her on, you need to add growling to the list.....its simply not fair on the dog.

I feel for you in your decision, and think it is very honest of you to admit your potential resentment, but when you got R she was an unknown quantity viz cats. Cats are obviously a priority to you, I am sure you wanted to help her, but assessing her properly and thinking through what would happen if she were not compatible would have been far kinder. Hindsight: we can all do with a dose.

In the interim, by exposing her muzzled to kittens she is being 'flooded'...it may work, it may not. Was the technique suggested by a behaviourist, if so its unusual. If not, have you considered consulting one or even sending R away for some training?

I ask as I have dogs with a high prey drive and have instilled over time the 'leave it command' At times it has quite literally been a life-saver, (at least for the smaller mammals LOL).

All the best, really hope it works out for you.

Mary

You know I wouldnt give up yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My two boxers, both of them, absolutely hated my cats, (I have 4),, And I had to work hard with them, really told them off if they were rough with the cats..
Good luck XXXX

I wouldnt give up. No way.
Both my dogs absolutely detested the cats., I have 4.
ANd I worked hard to get them to accept them.
Firstly I would let her get used to them, outside.. so that the cats can get away.. if they need to.
But I say "Leave" to the dogs, and "No" raelly loud and sharp.. if they stay away from them, I reward them. Its possible, honestly, dont worry, dont panic, that you will have to get rid of Ruby. You will be able to work it out with her honestly. XX
Just give it a bit of time, and really make her listen to you, you can do it XX

That is a pity, but I wouldn't make her spend an hour muzzled and on a lead every single day as she will just end up worse, training with a dog like that would be better with 2 people around at all times , have you tried having the kitten in a crate in the same room with Ruby just being around, the trick there is not to let Ruby focus on the cat, I really hope you can sort some thing out, those wrinklies can be so stuborn at times...good luck x

I agree, good advice!!

Thank you, i will try that but i think i will have to wait until the kittens are a little older as i dont think mum will appreciate me moving them just yet.

Jules your PM box is full