#1 - I took offense at the wording, now that the statement has been clarified, I understand the intent. I took it as someone who just didn't like cats. I stand corrected.


#2 - "You have pretty much stated that your animals all run together at times, animals are "accidentally" being let out of crates and other animals are dying "grisly" deaths."

Not an accurate summary. ONE animal was "accidentally" let out, steps have been taken to insure that doesn't happen again. And as I said, that was before I started seriously training. Also, my animals do NOT "all run together". When the dogs are in the livingroom which is the ONLY room they have interaction with the cats in, they are in a down/stay. The dogs are not free roaming. Sorry if I wasn't clear in stating that.

The dogs do NOT actively pursue the cats. In other words, the dog pretty much ignores the cat, if I need to carry the cat around for any reason, the dogs are not nipping at it's heels. It's the cat that provokes the dog. I am now trying a crate/rotate so that both dogs are never in the room together with the cats.

So, Al - my apologies.

Carol - you have dogs that are 'cat killers'? I have spoken with my trainer about the use of an e-collar but am very concerned with their use on an APBT. I have read that they will take the 'shock' as the cat doing something to them and that will only make them more aggressive toward the cat.

This is also the reason I am a little scared to try squirt bottle-ing the cat in the dog's presence. I don't want to get the cat all huffy in front of the dog.

I completely understand and appreciate the concern for the cat's safety, I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel the same way. I am also concerned about my pup's eyes, as he now has large scars that start at the corners. The cat nearly blinded him.

I have weekly phone consults with my trainer and am not taking any chances until I have things under control. Meaning that the dogs will not be permitted to just walk around the livingroom. And the rabbits are kept in an entirely different room. Dogs are in crates in another room if buns come out to play, with me standing by the door the dogs are behind.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

My problem is with Smoke and my alpha male cat, Murphy.

You state you have a problem......

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

I do have a pro trainer who has suggested continued consistent work with 'leave it' and 'down/stay' and I have been doing that with success but I am trying to get to the root of the problem.

Great that you have a trainer to help you find the root of the problem....just seems that it should be obvious.....cats=dogs=issues unless properly introduced and proper pack leadership.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

Okay, now the problem. First I think I need to determine the level of prey drive in my dog. Cali has a strong chase drive. She chases the cats sometimes and then leaves them alone. Once in while she will curl her lip at them, sometimes snap in the air, but never anything more. Enter Smoke in June of last year.

All of this behavior is telling me that it is only a matter of time before something else happens.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

Smoke is a very mellow dog. Very submissive. But when Cali is around, all hell breaks loose. If she so chooses. There have now been 3 occassions where Murphy ended up in Smoke's mouth. Each time, there is blood everywhere, and none of it is Murphy's. Smoke weighs 60 lbs so I know he could easily kill a cat if he wanted to. All these incidents happened ONLY when Cali is around.

Cali is the root of your problems.....seems to me she is running the household when she is out.....even from a down stay.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

Oh, Smoke did kill one of our pet bunnies. Very grisly. The bunny was running around free range and my son let the dog out of his crate. The bunnies now stay in a different room. I'm sure Smoke can smell them, but he shows no interest in pursuing them, it seems he is only triggered by small animals running in front of him, or fighting with him.

The words I used were your words.....I apologize for assuming the dog was let out by accident.
Smoke is obviously interested in pursuing animals if he is triggered by small animals running.....not very many places you won't run into that on walks and such.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

I'm at my wits end. Things have been going smoothly, but I know it's only a matter of time until someone is blind or dead or both. Smoke now has scars all over his pretty face, and people are starting to ask if I fight my dog! I managed to get Murph out of Smoke's mouth both times, but not without injuring my hands. (Yes, not smart, I know, but I wasn't going to let my cat be torn to shreds) And Smoke did NOT continue to attack after I had the cat, nor did he bite me directly. He actually went and hid.

IMHO, it is only a matter of time before this turns serious and another animal dies or worse.....your child(ren) or you gets severely bitten.

 Quote: Rachele Lizarraga

So this is very long, I'm sorry. I am very concerned. I hope someone can help. Thanks.

We are trying to help, that is what we are here for.

OH, and reference your other post....yes, I have a Malinois that is a cat killer and a high drive Czech GSD that kills cats...ALL in prey drive, which is what Smoke seems to be doing....the e-collar was used to proof the dogs OFF the cats, therefore it took two or three times of the collar on HIGH and rolling the dogs and now they wear the collar if a small furry animal or even large animal (cow, horse, deer, antelope, elk, badger or prairie dog) jumps out......97% of the time the two dogs will start and then think twice on their own and come back.....rarely do I have to zap them now.

There are several people here with APBT's and use e-collars. Maybe they will step in and help you.
I am with Al and will not answer any more of your posts, sorry I answered to begin with now.

I have an APBT. I have used the eCollar. If done PROPERLY (consult a local professional who is knowledgeable in using ecollars, not a local pet store dog trainer) then the dog will not see this as coming from the cat.

I have 6 dogs, 3 cats including one that just had 4 kittens, goats and horses and ALL of my animals get along because I ensure that all animals are safe. There are some that I odn't allow near each other. There are some that are allowed supervised interaction.

It's up to us as pack leaders to ensure safety for ALL of our animals. I do it, and I know that others can do. If they really want to.

I never said the dog wasn't let out accidentally.

I couldn't find a way to close my account, if there is a way, mods, please do so. And please close this thread.

thread closed.