Boxer and Cat socialization

Question
Hi!
My husband and I rescued a 4 mo old boxer from a bad situation. She has a great temperment and is a lovely dog. The question we have is how to socialize her with the 2 rescue cats that run our home? The cats are 5 years old. Its been about 5 days since we've had her in the home. We can all sit in the living room, as long as the boxer is on a leash. The cats hiss and one swipes when the dog gets close, but otherwise they go along minding their own business. Are we doing the right thing? The dog occasionally shows interest in getting close to them, but I don't want the cat to hurt the dog. Any advice???

Answer
So, you are saying that you keep her on a leash while sitting in the living room? Is this to keep her away from the 2 cats and to protect her, or protect the cats?

Since she is a newly rescued girl, hopefully you know her bad history and can use that knowledge to train her, love her, and show her that life is good and not bad---

Since I do not know the history- I can not go into the detail I would like to...

But as far as socialization with cats: Boxers naturally like to chase cats- more than most breeds... that's the bad news...

But the good news is that she is still young and can be "raised" with the 2 cats.

(BTW- kuddos to you two for rescuing her and the cats!)

***Are your 2 cats de-clawed? This would be wise so they do not scratch her eyes, i.e. retina and blind her.***

She is a baby. She is at a "learning the world- curious" stage... and they learn by smell (scent), touch (feel), sight, sound, taste (bad or good), and ASSOCIATION. <--keyword

She is "curious" about the new critters-- i.e. the 2 cats. She knows they are not of her species.

She doesn't want to harm them, although she could by accident as Boxers play extremely rough... it's their "style" versus another breed's play style...

You stated they (the 2 cats) go along and mind their own business... but when you aren't around, things could change since she is so young and they are, well, cats.

So my suggestion is:

Continue with the leash inside supervised for a month. Be sure to let her outside in a fenced yard to pee and roam and play and exercise often...

Whenever she shows interest in a cat(s) you can supervise-- but you MUST train your 2 cats as well-- they are not the rulers of your house as you stated-- YOU ARE! And if you want 2 cats and the Boxer girl-- YOU MUST be the "alpha" of the house and gain and keep control of the animals. I do not believe in allowing cats to be cats, as if we did, they would jump up on kitchen counters, on the kitchen table, eat our food, poop where ever they wanted when their litter boxes were too full for their liking, and they would run around wildly without proper training-- and "YES" you can train a cat just like a dog.

Now, for both species, use easy and simple commands. Consistently. And in training and reprimanding- be consistent. Never lax.

When a cat swipes at the puppy, reprimand the cat verbally, and clap your hands. This "clapping your hands" is a sound that will eventually mean "NO" to them (and to the puppy) which becomes a "signal" that you are reprimanding and they have done something wrong- which is by association of the act that just occurred...

Most likely, the cat(s) will scamper off elsewhere away from the clapping and verbal reprimand. Be consistent. Do not ever allow then to swipe at the puppy- ever. If you need to place them in a "time out" them lock them in a bedroom with the door shut for awhile.

Continue with the cats reprimands.

As far as the puppy, reprimand her for getting close to the cats by pulling on her leash, thus she associates, and verbally reprimand her with easy and simple commands.

She will soon learn by association the "leash tug" and the verbal consistent reprimands an stern voice is brought on by getting too close to the cats.

Think of her as a 2 year old curious child. They reach for objects and we have to tell them "NO" and clap our hands to get their attention, etc. Use the parenting methods on the puppy and the cats.

Think of them as 2 year old children learning.

Within one month of this consistent training- they should be well-taught and you can then test the training by allowing her off the leash in the living room, under your direct supervision, and continue the reprimands and clapping sounds if she attempts-- they can test the waters and push the envelope you know.

Le me know how she and the cats do in a month, alright?