We just got a new puppy this week. An 8 week old, 19 pound siberian husky. She has started nipping at cats when she can get close enough to them. Not sure how to handle the situation. I want to be sure to respond correctly. Any help is greatly appreciated!

http://www.leerburg.com/dog-cat.htm

Thanks Candi and Mike! I guess I will start with the prong collar and not let her near the cats until I get it. My husband doesn't think it's of any concern. But I see the way the puppy stalks the cats with her eyes, she is not acting playful, but like they are her next meal. I want to get jump on things seeing how she will quickly be very large and strong.

This is almost more than I can handle. We just wanted a sweet puppy. We have tried dogs in the past from rescues and always had problems, ended up returning the dogs to the rescues. We still wanted a dog, but didn't have the nerve to go out and make it happen. Then my husband brought home a "stray" last week. It turns out we found her owners and sent her back home. She was perfect, a beautiful siberian husky, crate trained, house trained, great with the kids and the CATS! It was just enough to make us go out and bring home this puppy. I had been wanting a puppy, already have "Your puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months". I just thought the "stray" husky was so good with my cats that it wouldn't be an issue.
Fixated, that's what she is, fixated on the cats. I feel like I have so much to teach her. She's only 8 weeks. I've been letting my 12 year old daughter do most of the handling but I think I probably need to step in and take over with a problem developing.Thanks again.

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..... We have tried dogs in the past from rescues and always had problems, ended up returning the dogs to the rescues.......Fixated, that's what she is, fixated on the cats. I feel like I have so much to teach her. She's only 8 weeks. I've been letting my 12 year old daughter do most of the handling but I think I probably need to step in and take over with a problem developing.Thanks again.

I hope this comes across as constructive, because I am going to be very careful about wording it.

Why do you continue to adopt dogs? It seems that it's not the best thing to do in your situation/household.

Sweet isn't really a quality you can test for (that I know of), and puppies don't stay puppies.

QUOTE: This is almost more than I can handle. We just wanted a sweet puppy. END

Are you maybe considering rehoming this puppy and then sticking with cats? It's not the best thing for anyone involved to keep adopting animals and then returning them .... least of all for the animal.

I really am trying to say this in the most compassionate way.

Connie, We started years ago when there was no internet, we had no idea what we were doing. The last time I tried what I thought was best, training at petsmart. After a while, I realized the trainer didn't always make sense, nor was she helping us with what we needed help with. I know i gave up too quickly in the past. I have talked with our most recent dog's new owner and she said he would be difficult for a novice owner and infact is a challenge for her and she has had dogs her whole life. Of course I didn't mean a puppy to stay a puppy, I mean't a puppy that would turn into a dog that would not eat people or cats. No we are not considering rehoming the puppy. She seems nervous in new situatuions, I guess what they would call a nervous dog. I do need help with the best way to teach her cats are not dinner. I emailed Ed prior to getting the new puppy and he said don't feel bad, millions of people screw this up simply because they did not make the effort to learn. That's what I am trying to do here. I was just being honest with my feelings and trying to get some help. I am not going to lie and say that I wanted the challenge of reconfiguring the way her genetics have wired her brain that small animals are to be chased and eaten. I wouldn't have intentionally selected a puppy that wants to eat my cats. My daughter is homeschooled and has watched Ed's video several times. She is doing very well. The dog seems to be focusing on her and listens to her.

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...make the effort to learn. That's what I am trying to do here.

Michelle, you're like most of us here (at Leerburg). From the
n00b, to the 20 year pro trainer. The best Teachers are Students
- they continue to learn!

Anyway, w/the great advice I'm sure that'll follow from the
other members, IMHO, what'll help is time. As your pup & cats
grow up together (8 week old pup, right?), and applying the
advice here in this forum/Ed's DVDs & training articles -
I'm sure you'll be a Dog & Cat sucess story <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Martin. I could use the encouragement. Is the prong collar ok to use on a nervous dog? I would get in touch with a local trainer but I don't know which ones know what they are talking about. The prong collar is on the way here.