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Comment by Vicky Hay on June 14, 2014 at 8:24pm

By the way, my sympathies on the back pain. I also enjoy the same...ugh!! Hope yours clears up soon. Took my last episode about a year, but eventually it did pretty much resolve. For the nonce.

Agreed with others that there's no need for expensive props to exercise the dawg. If you're up for walking (which sometimes helps the pain, even when you think you can barely hobble down the hall), that often suffices. Also I learned to run Cassie the Corgi's energy off by having her chase a ball up and down the hallway and around the backyard. Some days it was excruciating to bend down and pick the darned thing up, though...but SHE learned to put it on my lap if I was sitting down! And eventually I discovered ways to find the floor without fainting from pain -- ask your physical therapist about that.

Also, I hung a stuffed doggy toy from a rafter on the porch. Cassie and Ruby play with that like it was a tether ball. In fact, there's a YouTube video showing a couple of dogs playing with a tetherball -- great exercise.

Comment by Vicky Hay on June 14, 2014 at 8:15pm

Might try a squirt bottle (clean) filled with clean, cold water. When the offending behavior starts, squirt Pooch in the face and say firmly, NO!

Works every time, hereabouts. Very recently, Ruby started jumping up on my legs and on the kitchen cabinetry when I'm preparing her dog food. A couple of squirts brought a quick end to that shenanigan. Charley the Golden Retriever, who's been staying here while his human (my son) is off on vacation, is also learning, through this trick, to quit licking the inside of the dishwasher. It's a longstanding habit with him -- my son tolerates it and then wonders why Charley gets the collywobbles! After just a few SQUIRT-NO's, he seems to be getting the idea.

Maybe it works along the lines of Beth's backing-away maneuver: it breaks the action long enough for you to get the dog's attention and communicate your displeasure.

Comment by Beth on June 14, 2014 at 7:59pm

I agree that he should be on the floor.  If he improves a lot you can try him on the couch, but the second he shows signs of guarding, on the floor he goes.  I do this sometimes with Jack.  

Another thing I do with Jack if he gets out of line is back him up into another room.  Basically you shuffle forward rapidly into the dog's space until he physically turns around (rather than backing up) and leaves.  Then you release the pressure.   Normally we put down Jack's bowl first, then Maddie's.  This works fine because Jack gets a little more food and finishes after her.  But they had been sick and were on small portions several times a day.  I noticed that if Jack finished his first, he simply went over and shoved Maddie aside and started on hers.  NOT ok (and she does not guard) so this morning when he tried this stunt I backed him into the dining room.  He came back in a chastened pup and licked his own bowl.  Normally when they are done eating, they swap and check each other's bowls to see if anything is left.  I allow this because neither minds.  I knew Jack got the message because when Maddie finished and walked away, Jack looked at me (not her bowl) until I said "Ok Jack" and then he did his customary check.  

So for me, with my dogs, if they went after the cat for something like you described, I would back them away until they broke attention from the cat and left.   It reminds them that ultimately, I am the one who controls all the spaces in my home and they must always cede ground to me.  Since I almost never raise my voice to my dogs, a loud "QUIT IT!" also usually breaks off any unwanted behavior.

I agree this behavior has nothing to do with exercise or mental stimulation.  He has decided that he outranks the cat and can tell her exactly where she is and is not allowed.  He needs to understand that even if he has rank on the cat, YOU have rank on them both and won't tolerate such nonsense, even for a second.

Comment by Anna Morelli on June 14, 2014 at 7:14pm

I think the article you refer to has pointed you in the right direction.  You have become something he thinks he owns,  this is not from too little exercise or not having the expensive equipment/toys.  This is from too much attention and too little structure.  With some dogs you can get away with that, in your case he is showing dominance to the cat.  He needs to understand you will not tolerate "YOUR" cat to be treated that way! He needs to hear that from you, not from your boyfriend, since you are the one he is claiming....  Does he know basic commands?  If so, put him on a down stay at some distance and pet the cat for a few minutes. Then, with him still in the down stay, go give him a special treat.  Things like that can help him learn his boundaries.  If needed put his leash on and tie it to something so he cannot dart off from the down position.  If he does not know basic commands, this is a good time to teach him.

Another consideration is that, since you say you got him for your anxiety this may have played into his guarding behavior, but, since he is only doing this with the cat, it probably is not a factor. 

Comment by Holly on June 14, 2014 at 4:38pm

I visit my daughter's (one of whom has four cats) often, usually for several days at a time. For the most part, Sully (my corgi) ignores all cats unless they get too close to me, or the people she cares most about, one of my son-in-laws, or one of my twin granddaughters. Since two of my granddaughters are identical twins, I assume it is due to her preference for those certain people out of all the other family members.

She is being protective, to some extent, since one or the cats is aggressive toward people at times, but I am sure much of it is jealousy, when she sees a cat getting close to one of her favorite people. When we are there I keep the dog close, holding her by the collar if necessary, and I pat her, saying "It's okay." calmly while a cat is in close proximity. In my case though, the cats are more of a threat than the dog, though most of them haven't figured that out yet. I do think it improves over time, provided you prevent any serious aggression where the dog and/or the cat gets hurt. The one stray that bit and scratched me once made Sully jumpy for months but things are better now. Still working on it though. I suspect it will take some time. I do think cat/dog adjustments are easier to resolve than dog/dog aggression issues. I sympathize with you regarding the lazy-dog-syndrome. I specifically sought a "couch potato" as I also have a disability as well. Temperament varies greatly with individual dogs, I have met a few laid-back corgis, but mine is by far the most relaxed one I have met. I tried to get her to exercise more, but she will only cooperate when she gets to romp in deep, fluffy snow. Otherwise, she prefers to sit with me on a bench outside, or lounge in her bed. I think that may be why she was stuck in the shelter for so long. Thank God there is an "ass for every seat" and I am Sully's arse. Good luck with your pup!

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