Socializing dogs and cats.

[TNDemo]

I have an approximately 8 yo bagle (beagle/basset) female dog and an 8 yo flamepoint Siamese cat. I have had the dog for 3-1/2 years and the cat for seven years. Two weeks ago I adopted a 10-month-old Boston Terrier from animal control. He had been an owner turn-in and came home with a case of kennel cough (now gone) and very skinny. He is now the picture of health and has the housetraining thing about 95% down and is using the doggie door.

The first week he was here he just ignored the cat, however, the last few days he has decided to annoy the crap out of her. He is also a pain to my long suffering bagle, and always has his nose and tongue in her ears and behind, and wherever she walks he is hanging on to her back, but they are basically okay together.

What do I do about the cat stuff? Is this something he will outgrow or is this likely to be a life-long trait?

[flvegan]

1. Terriers are inquisitive little fellas.

10 months old? He'll probably grow out of it in a while. Or once the cat gives him a "pointed" message, he'll stop.

[Blue-Jay]

2. He'll get over it. He's still a young feller.

The cat can take care of herself by either hiding or giving the Boston a couple of well-placed swats.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. Is he going after the cat

or just curious about it?

When i got my dog, one cat had no problem with him, another learned in a few months how to avoid him, and the third one is still extremely wary of him. The dog means no harm at all - he just wants to sniff their butts.

[TNDemo]

5. I think he is mostly just curious but barks and lunges

and scares the crap out of the cat. She has whacked at him but it hasn't stopped him yet. I am afraid one of those big bug eyes is going to get a claw in it.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Hrmm...

if he's barking and lunging, that's beyond curiosity.

My dog got himself a few good whacks on the nose before he learned "cat courtesy".

[graywarrior]

4. Pray to God it doesn't come to this

[TNDemo]

6. I hope it does!

My cat and dog growing up slept together, ate out of the same bowl and were very close. My current cat loves me but sure doesn't love dogs.