We just finished puppy training, which I totally suggest she does. It really helps the puppy see that you are the pack leader. But to your problem....

First put the dog on a 5-6ft leash, not the retractable kind. Say Daisy, come in a pleasant voice. When the dog comes willingly, praise and give a treat. ( we give Cherrios). To get the dog to stay give a good body massage while gently holding. If the dog does not come then show the treat and gently pull the dog towards you. Praise and give the treat. Repeat again and again until the dog gets the idea if it comes it will get the cherrio.
There is nothing wrong with bribing at the beginning.

After a while you can have the dog off the leash if it is in a contained area such as a fenced yard or porch. Have the dog in front of you and put a cherrio in front of its nose, say come and move backwards having the dog follow you. When you have backed up 5 ft, praise and give the treat. Massage and praise.

Sometimes when they run, they want to play, other times it is a power thing, "I am the pack leader not you!" It is also suggested that when you go out, always have the dog go out after you, not before you.

Our little female didn't want to come in when they were playing out in the yard. Finally one day my husband had had enough. He left her outside (in a fenced area) and he came in on the porch. She could see hear him but not see him and that drove her crazy. He left her out till it was just about dark (the total time was about 15 minutes). She whinned and begged to come in. Once he opened the door, she never looked back. Now when we say come, she is in as fast as her brother.

My condolences on the loss of your brother.

Cats are sensitive, & they do not like change.

This one sounds like she's even more sensitive/tightly-wound than the average, plus
she's lost a member of the family,
she's been moved to a new environment,
her momma is still grieving,
& now of all things there's a disgustingly huge big doofus puppy in her territory.

I'd tear up the blinds, too.

Repititious boring routine & absolute calm will help.
& time.

It all takes time.

I am also sorry to hear of about your brother. Hopefully, the pets will help ease your mother's suffering a bit.

I can't help with the dog but as far as the cat... please don't think of the cat as being "bad" for jumping on the counter or table. Ten months is still very young for a kitty and they are extremely curious at this age. The cat is not trying to annoy you or make you mad -- it is just doing what a cat does, jumping and exploring.

Anyhow, though it is not destructive at all, I do agree that is bad manners for kitty to be on the counter and table. There are many things your mother can do. She can line the counters with aluminum foil for a while (this usually makes the cat jump right down because they do not like the feel of it). When my cat jumps up there I usually clap my hands, say "NO" and put him down on the floor. If you do this enough times, he will learn that his visits to the counter will be short and not worth the effort. Also, I may be wrong but I believe a lot of cats outgrow this once they become accustomed to their home and as they mature and don't have the need to explore so much.

As for the blinds, chances are he/she was trying to look out the window and the blinds were in the way. The best thing to do is leave the blinds up a bit so kitty can see out. Cats take great pleasure in looking out the window since they usually don't get get to enjoy the outdoors.

Just be very happy if the kitty is using the litter pan religiously and not tearing up the furniture. And make sure the cat gets attention along with the puppy.

Sorry for your loss, it is always tough on everyone when these things happen.
First I have some questions for you about the puppy. Does the pup not like to be held by anyone? Has the pup been to see a vet - get all its shots and get a physical? I ask because sometimes we dont know when our animals might be in pain and they dont always show it and can not always tell us when things are not going so well.
If your moms pup has had its shots and has been checked out, and this is behavioral, I want you to tell your mom, this has nothing to do with the puppy not liking her. But your mom has been through alot, losing her son, and now having to move, plus having a demon cat in the house.
I think everyone needs a break. Is there any place nearby where your mom can take her puppy for a good day out? To the beach or the woods or someplace they can just hang out and enjoy nature? If not, the above poster has some good ideas. Your mom needs to walk that puppy for a good 20 to 30 minutes twice a day if she can. This is important in learning bonding. Teaching her pup to sit and stay and leave it, all those are great techniques and will help your moms pup bond more with your mom. Her is a trick I told my friend who adopted a dog known to be aloof. Have your mom go out and get a big Natural Balance meat stick. Have her cut in into slices and then small squares - about the size of a fingernail. She should put these diced pieces of training treats into a zip lock baggie and put them into her pocket. Her pup is going to start following her around if it is food oriented, and everytime she stops to do something, she needs to have the puppy sit and stay or lay down. She should also start touching or rubbing the pup more and more. Ultimately she should work with the pup after walking it, a tired pup is easier to train. ONce she settles somewhere, and the puppy is laying down she should take the opportunity to massage the puppy, rubbing it everywhere, gently and slowly, making her way all around the pup, including the paws and the muzzle, all the time the dog is calm, she should be teling the pup to SETTLE. The more she does this, the more that pup is going to realize your mom is not a threat and is the boss. She should pick up the puppy when it is calm, not hyper. If the puppy struggles, she should firmly tell it NO, and to SETTLE. Dogs learn by rote, the more you repeat the thing you want, the quicker they will get it. You might want to be there for your mom as well if you can, by taking your puppy over for a good romp with her pup and then you both can work on your pups at the same time. Dogs also learn from other dogs. It may be that puppy is just missing its dog family and your dogs presence might help. Please post again and let us know how these things work and if they dont we will try something else. Hope you all could enjoy the Holidays seeing you have experienced such a hardship. My best to you and your family

Your mother's cat isn't being bad. She's being very typically feline. As Sylvia pointed out, Seehr has been through a lot of very stressful changes lately. When stressed, cats often act out in ways that humans consider unacceptable. Not only that, but Seehr is at her adolescent rowdiest. Even if she hadn't been through so much lately, she's at a life stage where bothersome behavior is at its peak. I'm glad to know that your mother has the sensibility and compassion to be tolerant of Seehr's youthful exuberance.

That said, there are steps and strategies your mother can implement to curb some of Seehr's more unacceptable behaviors. Temporarily lining the edges of countertops and tables with wide, double-sided tape will discourage her from jumping onto those surfaces. Cats HATE getting their paws on anything sticky. Buying her a tall cat tower will also help, since she needs a place to satisfy her climbing/jumping instinct and to escape from the puppy.

Your mother can also use pop cans with a few coins tossed into them to shake loudly when Seehr does something unacceptable. Cats don't like loud noises, so the can shaking will cause her to cease and desist whatever she's doing without your mom having to rely on catching her with a water spray.

Mostly, though, your mom should just spend time petting, playing, and talking to Seehr to help her adjust to her new life. The more comfortable Seehr becomes in her new home, the less inclined she'll be to test her behavioral limits.

Love, patience, and as Sylvia said, time will help settle things down in your mother's household.

Laurie

Hi everybody!! I'm the mom of Shabosbaby (Elycia). My name is Carol and Elycia just got me signed up here so I can chat with you wonderful people myself. I can't believe howing caring some of you are to my family and I. Thank you so much!!

I just read through your messages and I am going to try them. I do realize that Seehr has been through alot with me and my family but I will continue to give her more and more love. No I don't believe that she is BAD persay but its just fustrating when I love her so much and she keeps doing wrong.

My daughter Elycia does bring her dogs over everyday to play with Daisy or I go over there. They love to play and do things together.

Please keep talking to me and I'll let you know of all progress with both my animals. Thank you again and Merry Christmas everyone!!

Thanks, Carol

This may have already been asked, but isn't it possible that the cat is getting in these high places in order to stay out of harms way (the puppy)? In addition to lots of change she now has to deal with a puppy bouncing around the floor......... probably something she's never had to deal with before.

I would get her a nice. tall cat 'tree' with platforms and hiding areas. It could be placed near an window and hopefully become her own private area.

I think the suggestions below are good. In our house, the cats are allowed on the center island and desk in our kitchen (we don't normally do food prep here), so they can still look and see what is going on. They seem to know to stay off the other areas of the counter although once in a great while they will go for ice if it is left to melt in the sink - how they know it is there beats me. I hate to say it, one of our cats likes to go on the table and we do let him....

I think providing the cat with a high perch that is out of the way of the puppy and where it can safely watch what is going on is a great idea. As for the blinds, we have them in our 6' windows in our dining room under sheer curtains and always leave them lifted about a foot for the cats to look out. Cats can actually hurt themselves if they get tangled up in blinds so it is good to provide them some room to look out.

It is so sad for you and your mom. I am so sorry for your loss.

A lot of people have trouble dealing with rambunctious puppies and active kittens. These animals are responding to your mom in the only way they understand. ItÂs up to her to learn to understand and communicate with them. Animals are not bad. They never act from spite or a desire to be naughty. It is NOT possible. They exhibit animal behavior until they can be conditioned to another behavior. It is very important for everyone to understand that. They do not mean to damage things or anger people.

An active young indoor cat is going to need lots of exercise and stimulation. The cat needs toys, a place to climb and jump and run. It is always easier to cat-proof the house than to tear your hair out because the kitty clawed the sofa or knocked the antique china off the buffet. If I was your mom, I would close off rooms that kitty should not be in. Take food off counters. Remove the broken window treatment and do not replace. Cover good furniture with plastic to avoid clawing. Give kitty a room or basement with climbing trees, boxes, and toys to play with and put kitty there when she is most active. When kitty settles down, let her be with you.

Cats do not learn like dogs do. They do not have a gene for cooperation like pack animals. They respond to stimulus. If it is negative stimulus like squirt bottles, loud noises, shouts or slaps, their response will be mistrust and fear of you. If the cat is on the counter pick it up and put it down and roll her play ball to chase. There is nothing else you should do. It is what cats, especially young cats do. Kitty will become more sedate with ageÂusually.

Okay I guess something that I didn't make very clear is... the cat was doing this stuff way before she got the dog. Seehr was pretty good all the time before my brother died but after is when this really started to happen bad. I talked to my mom last night (when I got her registered to come in here and chat herself) and we do think its a good idea to get something for her to get up high with, like a tall tree or something. I think my mom also wants to try putting the foil on the tops of her counters.

As for the vet quesitons and stuff. Yes Daisy has been checked out and got her first round of shots and nothing was wrong with her. She LOVES being held that's what was so weird to us. But today even she has got a little better. Just one of those puppy things. Daisy always jumps on our laps every chance she gets, unless she is playing with her brothers! :-)

And last but not least, my mom does leave the blinds open all day for the cat but at nighttime she has to shut them. That is the time that Seehr does her stuff. She has been so bad with jumping on the counters and eating plants and stuff that every time they go out they have to lock her up in her room and if the blinds are down (at nighttime) its not a pretty site.

Again thank you everybody for your help.

Elycia

Elycia, there is nothing wrong with locking her up while you are away or while she is in a super active mood. Just make sure she has something to do in the locked room.

Don't forget that cats are nocturnal animals. If your mom is putting the blinds all the way down at night, Seehr is naturally going to find a way around or through them to view the outside world during her active hours. If your mom leaves the bottom 12" of blinds elevated, Seehr won't have any reason to damage them trying to access the windows.

Don't worry about applying a little negative stimulus (yelling, clapping, shaking a can with coins). As long as Seehr is secure in your love for her and comfortable in your home, she's not going to fear or mistrust you as the result of some non-violent discipline. I live with 14 feline treasures, and not a one of them fears or mistrusts me ... even the two who arrived as very feral (and fearful) adult toms. With so many cats in one household, I do a fair amount of yelling and clapping to maintain order when the kids get into spats or growling matches. I have their respect and their love, and they have mine.

Laurie

It sounds like leaving the blinds open about a foot really would take care of that problem. As laurief says, cats are nocturnal animals. If you can find some way to leave at least some of the blinds partly open it sounds like that issue would be resolved. Sometimes it is really a matter more of figuring out why a cat does something and then finding a way for them meet their needs or using negative stimulus to adjust it.

Sounds as if your cat is lonely perhaps? Did your brother interact much with it?

Welcome to the forum. Glad things seem like they are getting better with your puppers. You know there are sometimes problems inherant (spelling) with certain breeds of dogs. I suggest ou keep an eye on your pup for jumping up on people - those boxers like to box!!
It is a great relief to hear your pup has some great play time. Nothing can take the place of walking, and if walking is tough for you just do what you can. Dogs gain so much by a simple walk around the block a couple times a day, the more the better, added with a bit of sit, stay and time on the leash, life will be easier for everyone.
Hope your Holidays were not too hard given your recent loss (I can not even imagine) I hope your New Year is wonderfully prosperous and you find your dog is better behaved everyday. I hoep you repost every now and then so we can know more about your new fur baby.

I agree this sounds like typical cat behavior.I also leave my blinds up a little so my cat wont break them while trying to jump through them.If the problem seems real bothersome,there are cat anti-depressants you could try.Also,maybe the cat doesnt like the puppy.
As far as the puppy goes,this a is a easy one.have your mom lure the puppy in with treats.Any dog will quickly become your friend when you are giving it a treat.Also,it may think she is playing if she is walking towards it fast,or maybe it is just scared because it knows she is the dominant one in the household.Have her get down low to the ground (I know it sounds werid) and lower her head to the dog.this will show the dog she is in the submissive position and the dog wont view her as a threat.
I'm also sorry about your brother...must be hard on you and your mom,and she is probably extra senitive because of it...but animals arent too complicated and the pup should come around.Best to you.

Again, thank you all for your kind words. Just a bit of love in times like this means the world to us.

One problem that either of them don't have is not enough love and attention. My mom and dad give both of them sooo much attention and love its not even funny!! Seehr and Daisy have actually been playing together!! They have been so cute lately. Last night I went over there with my two dogs (Star-Lite my adult & Deuce my puppy) and they just played like crazy!! Seehr was right in the middle of the two puppies!!! I couldn't believe it, but my mom said that Seehr and Daisy play like that all the time! :-) It was sooo cute!!

My husband and I started training Deuce (our pup) to sit and take treats easy the other day, and I decieded to try it with Daisy. Within 10 minutes she had it down!! My mom and I were SOOO proud of her. My mom thought she might be too little still because she is only about 4-5 pounds, but I told her that Daisy is the same ago as Deuce (7 weeks tomorrow) and she could do it. Mom was so excited that she started working with her with more stuff like that also. :-) Daisy is a blessing to my mom because of the void that she is filling missing my brother (her son).

grrrr....Deuce is sitting in the other room right now just crying his head off. Does anybody know what I should do about that?? He has been outside, ate, has toys, but should I just ignore him?? Its so hard to do that because I just want to go in there and see what he wants!! I just want to make him better, but then on the other hand I know that if I do that, everytime he wants something he will just cry instead of him coming and telling me. RIGHT?? Ohhhh... he just stopped! ... ... ... I just went and looked in there and he is sleeping on his blanket in the living room! Its so funny, Star-Lite just looks at him like "Knock it off Deuce" when he starts crying. lol Its so cute! Anyways, I've talked enough about my babies. lol Please keep in touch everybody and I'll do the same.

Elycia

Hi guys. This is Carol. I just wanted to post a few things to keep everybody informed... my Daisee Duke (Elycia I can't believe you spelled Daisee's name wrong!! :-) ) is doing so good. She is so smart. I think it was just a puppy phase she was going through before, but it was hurtful to me. Everybody's opinions really mean alot to me so thank you.

On the other hand, we are trying new things with the kitty, Seehr. Last night she jumped on my lap with Daisee on there and I sat there at pet both of them for a while. I'm the one who after a while had to get up otherwise we would still be there. lol It made me feel so great to have both my babies with me like that! Then again today she started on the blinds in my living room. So we will just take it a day at a time. I love her so much so that's all that matters. We will work through it. Thanks, Carol

My heart goes out to you & your family on the loss of your brother. How sad. I am puzzled by your original post. You state "Well her pup is from the same litter as mine but is much smaller and about 2 weeks behind mine." Can you explain what that means? I know that pets pick up our emotions, more than we realize. Seehr sounds perfectly normal to me doing no-no kitty antics. My friend has a cat that knows what's off limits, but goes for it anyway. I'm glad Daisee is doing well. Puppies do go through so many stages.

Hello jeanonly_one. Sorry I guess I didn't make that very clear, did I? Deuce (my pup) and Daisee (her pup) are from the same little of babies. Deuce was the biggest puppy in the litter of 12. Daisee was not the runt but close to it. She was about the second or third to the smallest. Well I don't know if that has any reason for this or not but Daisee is about 2 weeks behind Deuce. With learning, movement, and just self control. The more we have the puppies together (which is every day now), the more they help each other. Daisee is the cute, princess, petite little sweetheart and Deuce is my big, strong, monster baby!! lol They each have their own personality, its so cute.

What was the reason that my original post puzzled you??

Thanks, Elycia

Elycia,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I was thinking, same litter born 2wks later.

So, the pups just turned 7wks old? How long have you & your mom had them?

IMO it is best to leave pups with their mom until at least 8wks. Pups learn certain rules from their mom & litter mates including bite inhibition, social behaviour, difference of animal & human interaction. Getting a puppy too young deprives it of this learning experience. This may be the cause of some difficulties, but I'm glad to hear the 2 pups & Star-Lite get to interact regularly. Sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck & would like updates. Pics are nice, too, - hint, hint.

I agree with jeanonly_one. Puppies should never be separated from their mothers and littermates before 8 weeks. 12 weeks is better. It is well known that puppies who are weaned too early may have lifelong problems associated with the lack of canine socialization and education in their first 2-3 months of life.

Deuce is lucky to have Star-lite to stand in as a surrogate canine parent and educator, but Daisee may lose social ground for the lack of constant canine companionship and mentorship. It's good that Daisee and Deuce get some time to socialize frequently, but it may not be enough to insure proper social development for either pup. Both pups are going to need early and ongoing socialization and training to help them learn how to interact and behave properly as adult dogs. As soon as they are protected by completing their full vaccination schedules, it would certainly be in their best interest to be enrolled in puppy classes where they can socialize with other puppies and people in unfamiliar settings.

Good luck!

Laurie