luca1980

My dog Luca is a rottweiler x staffy. I rescued him when he was about six months old (he's turning two this year) and brought him home to live with three cats and eight chickens. I was really worried that bringing my first dog home would really disturb the peace around here, but with a bit of patience and planning everyone has really surprised me. I made sure Luca had a big walk before he came inside for the first time, and that the cats always had somewhere to go which was 'their' space. I built two outdoor cat runs that only they have access to via cat flaps, and there are also three of those six feet high climbing posts for them to escape to when they need some time out from Luca. I think the main thing I wanted to achieve was to get everyone working as a pack. If Luca ever gets too boistrous for the cats, he goes into some timeout or I redirect his attention to his favourite tennis ball or squeaky toy. He also reposnds really well to me saying 'gentle'. The cats actually do a great job of keeping him in line as well, and it took about 2 months or so for things to settle down. Now (almost two years later) they are all at the point of licking eachother's faces and sleeping together in the beanbag. They also eat together but I make sure that I always supervise meal times. Lots of rewards for good behaviour and always make sure your cat has somewhere she can escape to. Best of luck!

The one in my front window says 'look out, rottweiler about' - and has a cartoon picture of a huge rottie leaning up against a wall, watching a burgular trying to make a quick getaway. A present from Santa