Question:
I don't understand what happened. Please help me figure this out!

This morning, around 6:30am, Minnow came for a morning cuddle, she rubs herself all over Dodger, purring a "good morning". Dodger is very lazy and doesn't usually get out of bed until 8:30-9:00am so this morning, I can only assume he was sleepy and grumpy.

I opened my eyes and saw him in a 100% snarl (as a comparison, like Prin's picture of Jaguar Jemma). I said "Eh, no!" and he stopped. I looked over to check the time and out of the corner of my eye I saw Dodger snap at Minnow. I think he made contact (with Minnow's head!) because I heard her meow and run away. I grabbed him by the scruff and gave him a shake (I couldn't stop myself), said "no" and checked on Minnow. She seemed okay but I did find a small bloody mark under her chin.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why Dodger would do this? You may remember that Minnow's front paws are declawed and I just clipped her back claws 4 days ago, so I know they weren't sharp enough to scratch Dodger. Minnow has rubbed herself along Dodger and got washed by him so many times - he has never been anything but gentle.

Minnow's not been acting scared of him this morning. But Dodger's behaviour is completely unacceptable. Contrary to what I have read on this site, all of my dogs and cats have been left alone together in the house (with/without supervision). Needless to say, this really makes me wonder about ever doing it again.

I am so confused about Dodger's "aggressive" response to Minnow. When we got home from our walk, I made sure to give Minnow the tuna juice first and have Dodger in a sit-stay. I gave Dodger some a few minutes after she was done. But I don't know if this is accomplishing anything? Would he understand that I am trying to show him that Minnow is more dominant? Is there anything else I can do??

I am so upset and totally shocked at Dodger. I just don't understand it.

Thanks,

Melissa

Answer:
LiSSa perhaps he was just irritable and didn't want to be bothered?
It may not be anything to worry about unless he is actively seeking her out to cause harm. Maybe he just wanted to be left alone and she was bothering him?

I've seen dogs do this with one another, even when they get along well and one irritates the other they snarl a little as a warning to like 'back off and leave me alone' if the other dog persists then let out a little snap. Usually never with any intent to harm just scare. It's like us yelling at someone who's irritating us then yelling louder when they keep it up.

I hope it's nothing and maybe it's happened before the other way around....he could be paying her back for something she did last night that you didn't see LOL

Answer:
Luba - I do hope that it was a one off type thing and will never happen again.
I know that dogs will do this to each other as a warning but because of the size difference between Dodge and Minnow it really scared me. I just couldn't believe it.
I guess he is allowed to get grumpy - this ONE time!!!
LiSSa

Answer:
I wouldn't be too surprised if it happens again...just like siblings fighting. Do you have a brother / sister (man some of the things we did)



Answer:
Luba is right! Don't be horrified - these are animals and these things happen.
Cats and dogs have such different "rules" and body language, it's a miracle they ever get along! IF Dodger had shown his teeth to another dog this way, the dog would probably have backed off immediately but Minnow didn't get the message.

My last dog was just fine with my cats 99% of the time BUT he did snap and growl at them more than once. One time was over food and other times when one of them must have stepped on his tail or his fur or just bugged him and he had to remind them of their place in his hierarchy..

He was always very careful never to let his teeth hurt them and he just scared the daylights out of them, but it was upsetting seeing them scared of the dog they loved. They did get over it very quickly.

Since he was 85lbs, I had to be extra careful not to let the cats annoy him and I made sure they never went near his food. They all lived fairly peacefully together for over 10 years and no one got hurt.

Do not do anything punitive to your dog for this, or he'll start to hate the cat and see it as a source of unpleasant things. No scruffing. Teach him "Enough!" or "Be nice" if you think he might be getting annoyed and praise or treat him for being good. Do not elevate the cat's status over his since you cannot decide who is dominant.

It's better to teach him that good things happen when he's nice to the cat. My dog Chloe is wonderful with my cats, but I still reinforce it by calling them "Chloe's pussycats" and praising her for being nice to them. She knows "Enough" and if I see her doing something like sniffing their butts excessively, that's what I tell her then praise her when she stops.

Let's face it - cats can be very annoying and I feel like biting them sometimes myself!

Answer:
Chloe's pussycats
I like that

Answer:
Hehee..Chloe loves pussycats so much, that if I'm walking her and she wants to bolt after a rabbit, all I have to say is "That's a PUSSYCAT!" and she immediately stops pulling and looks at me as though to say, "Are you sure? Well, you KNOW I would never chase THEM!"

Answer:
Hey Lissa, I don't blame Dodger for snapping at the cat. It's a Monday morning, 6:30 am!! I wouldn't want to be disturbed either!!!

I agree with Luba. Dodger probably wasn't in the mood! Could the cat have startled him and this is why he acted up?

Answer:
Thats very cute LR....and I just know she does understand you

Answer:
No, Minnow didn't startle him but like you say, who would want to be disturbed at 6:30am?

LR - how do you always know what the right thing is. Once I read your post I realized how dumb it was to try and "control" their relatiionship (I guess its down to my inbred human superiority complex!!)

I let them work things out, they're probably better at it anyway!

If I told Dodger a rabbit was a pussycat he wouldn't even hear me!! Chloe sounds adorable!

Thanks again - at least now I am not as freaked out about the snapping!

Melissa

Answer: