New Setter pointing cat...help needed.

[StinkyPete]

I finally talked my wife into a bird dog, and I found a year old English Setter who is very birdy, but the only problem I having now is that he is obsessed with the cat. He does a perfect point on whatever location the cat is, under the couch behind the basement door... where ever. He remained locked on a point for the entire time my wife and I watched a movie the other night.
Given the chance, he does chase and nip at the cat.
I don't want do discourage his pointing instinct, but at the same time, if he doesn't knock off the cat business, my wife might change her mind and I'm back to no dog. What can/ should I do with him?

[wems2371]

How long have you had the setter in the home? He should eventually get use to the house cat and things will settle out. I got my gsp as a pup, and she grew up with a house cat and outdoor cat that she absolutely loves.......and never bothers to point.......although she does harass them by trying to lick them to death. Anyway, I take her to my moms house frequently. Mom has two friendly indoor cats, that my dog completely ignores. But take her outside where the half-wild farm cats are and it's a completely different story, with her doing staunch points all over the place. And if one runs, she will chase. It sounds to me like they just need more adjustment time with each other.

Welcome to the forum. Denise

[Ruffshooter]

Your dog can tell the difference between your cat and birds in respect to pointing. Me, I would wack him each time he chases the cat and or make him set or go to its place. Also make of the dog when it is not chasing or figuring out how to eat the cat. (positive and negitive training)

This is a Dog Whisperer job.
Good luck.

[StinkyPete]

stinky pete has been with us only a few days. I'm hoping he'll get over the cat, but he is ignoring everything else, he just wants to point the cat. I really dont want to discourage his instincts, but I need a behaved house dog too if this is going to work out. I've had other dogs, but this is my first bird dog. I'm scared of screwing him up.

He is a smart dog, I've got him to sit and stay and he is housebroken already. We will work on whoa and come starting this week.

[wems2371]

Is the cat still in hiding mode? If so, your dog is probably viewing him a little bit like cagey prey. IMO once the cat "bolds" up a little, pointing won't be an issue, and they may very well become good buddies. Your dog is still very very new to your house and the cat, so I would expect some adjustment time. However, if you let him chase and nip the cat, the cat will continue to be preyed on. If you see him pointing the cat, I would lead him off and give him something else to do (like sit, down, heel), to take his mind off of the cat--yet not reprimand him for pointing. Chasing alone would definitely get a solid "NO". If you can introduce them passively, like the cat sitting on your lap with the dog nearby, both could get more comfortable with one another in a controlled situation. If you have a crate for your dog, that might also allow the cat to come up and check the dog out without fear. Just some thoughts. Denise

[shags]

Just tell him to stop it, like," Hey! Get outta there!" One thing though, do you know anything about his background? Our rescue setter will kill them. We were told about it when we got her. I can call her off a cat now but wouldn't trust her alone with one for a second.
I betcha a dollar he knows the difference between birds and cats so pulling him off that kind of point won't hurt anything.

[StinkyPete]

Thanks for the replies. His backround is that he was purchased by a older non hunting couple as a pet. His "birdyness" and activity level was to much for them to handle once he became full size, so they gave him up to a rescue. Now he's mine.

[bobman]

Sounds like a nice dog with good prey drive if he understands the "NO" command use it in no uncertain terms or the cat will end up dead.
If he doesn't understand the "no" command its time he learns.

Theres no reason the dog cannot learn to leave the cat alone I teach every rescue dog I handle to leave ours alone. It wont affect his birdyness one bit.

[StinkyPete]

We spent a few hours this morning learning basics, like "No" etc. He listens, so I'm pleased so far. I understand that this is a long process and he is just getting into his new home etc.

Also, I dont want to imply that I'm some hardcore super hunter, I'm not. I get out a few times a year, and while I'd love to have a good dog to go along I'm not going to give him up if he cannot hunt. Judging on what I've seen so far, I think with some good direction, he will serve me just fine.

[mudhunter]

the solution is very easy and it will make life better for all involved, get rid of the cat!

[jhoughton]

My dogs all point the cats in the house...nothing like watching dogs back each other in the house

The cat will sort things out for you...once the get beat up by a little cat a few times they stop nipping. The only one we have that hasn't figured it out yet is my wirehair...she is all wire and has a thing for fur.

[StinkyPete]

the solution is very easy and it will make life better for all involved, get rid of the cat!

I wouldnt mind it, but I doubt that will happen...unless I let Pete have it

[Sharon]

Sounds like a nice dog with good prey drive if he understands the "NO" command use it in no uncertain terms or the cat will end up dead.
If he doesn't understand the "no" command its time he learns.

Theres no reason the dog cannot learn to leave the cat alone I teach every rescue dog I handle to leave ours alone. It wont affect his birdyness one bit.

Well said.
I have 3 dogs and a rescue cat. They all wrestle together and sleep together. Only time there's a growl is if the cat approaches the JRT's food bowl. The setters let the cat eat their dinner if I'm not watching. I must have weird dogs.

[Pleasant Ridge]

the solution is very easy and it will make life better for all involved, get rid of the cat!

Yeap, that is the best idea!!!!!!

[gonehuntin']

Nearly every point dog loves to point cats. If you want a really great and intense picture of your dog pointing, drop the cat in front of it. Your dog is normal.

[subatomicstang]

We have 2 GSPs and 5 Cats. The older of the dogs points the cats but only the one cat that hides. The others that dont seem to run or hide she just sniffs them and they will sniff back or back them up.

[StinkyPete]

Nearly every point dog loves to point cats. If you want a really great and intense picture of your dog pointing, drop the cat in front of it. Your dog is normal.

Thanks, thats what I needed to hear... or read. I njust don't want him to spend his life with his nose stuck under the couch or basement door.

He does seem like he is losing interest, I think he has figured out that the cat wont come out if he is right there ready to pounce.

[ymepointer]

Cats are a special case, I usually shoot them on the ground as they are hard to get airborn...I would never do it with a bird but, cats are different

[donnie_19]

My GSP points the cats right before he kills them.

[NeBrittany]

Nearly every point dog loves to point cats. If you want a really great and intense picture of your dog pointing, drop the cat in front of it. Your dog is normal.

Thanks, thats what I needed to hear... or read. I njust don't want him to spend his life with his nose stuck under the couch or basement door.

He does seem like he is losing interest, I think he has figured out that the cat wont come out if he is right there ready to pounce.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over this.

My 8 month old Brittany loves to point and stalk my 3yo Shiba. Which at times can get rather comical. Some where I read that that with pointer breeds, as they learn that chasing their pray isn't the answer they stalk and point their pray.

[h-man64]

My problem is my cat and Wirehaired Vizsla point each other. The Vizsla locks up, then the cat locks up. They are both really patient, but the cat is a bit more staunch on his point.

[vikings269]

Cats are a special case, I usually shoot them on the ground as they are hard to get airborn...I would never do it with a bird but, cats are different

Punting them into the air works well and the dogs always get a good kick out of it, lol jk