Jaz236

Thanks for that. My last dog was a Newfy. They're even more laid-back than the Lab so I'm surprised you have the problem with him, it all comes down to personality though. Good to see it's not just me. I think Otis must have felt I was getting towards my wits-end because he's actually had two opportunities in the past week to chase one of the cats and hasn't. He's actually listened to me when I firmly told him to Leave him. So that's a difference. Also I didn't close the kiddy gate to my bedroom the other night, when I woke up I realise it' was ajar about a couple of inches. Puppy was on the tiles on his bed one side, me and the cats on my bed the other side and he didn't even come in all night. So whilst there's a road to go yet, at least it's not as overwhelming as I felt when I first posted....there's hope on the horizon! Good luck with your Newfy! Newfies are still my favourites, just didn't feel right having one in Qld (I've moved since I had Solomon, my last Newfy). Cheers

Thanks for the replies. taketwo - That would be too traumatic for the cats. I thought they'd stand their ground when he was a wee little puppy but they were too scared of him even then. Ragdolls are known for being very affectionate but also not being able to defend themselves, due to them being extremely submissive in nature. Hence why all good breeders only sell them as housebound pets. Whilst I knew this I was still hoping they'd stand up to a baby puppy, but they haven't and now that he's 9 months there's not much hope. He's had one of them cornered and put his mouth on him (puppy had hairs in his mouth but didn't hurt cat) and the cat was terrified yet still didn't try to defend himself, just cried out very loudly. I pulled puppy away after a few seconds but it did demonstrate how they seem incapable of defending themselves even when terrified. Thank you Cosmolo. Looks like great advice. Thanks also Pretty Miss Emma. Bit of a difference in that one of my cats won't even be in the same room as puppy, and the other can be in the same room but will be at the top of his cat tree. I would love it if my problem was that they were too close. Agree Cavstar. Puglvr - I think you've accidentally posted in the wrong spot. Ta everyone

I have 2 Ragdoll Cats and a Labrador puppy who's now 9 months old. I've had the cats for a couple of years before I brought puppy home. I thought, with them being cats, they would stand their ground with puppy and it would all be good. Unfortunately being Ragdolls they haven't done this, they just run and hide. One won't be in the same room, the other will go to the top of his cat tree. Puppy thinks they are a moving fluffy toy and goes to chase them. He's caught each of them once and he mouthed them. He grabbed them with his mouth but didn't bite. I think he was just experiencing them the same as he does the rest of the world...with his mouth. This of course only served to scare the cats even more. Being Ragdolls they need a lot of attention and affection. With me working full time, and living on my own, it's really hard work having to allocate separate time for each animal. I have kiddy gates around the house to keep the cats separate from puppy. Puppy does have a great nature in that he's not overly destructive, when other dogs get aggressive towards him at the dog park he always becomes submissive but still wagging his tail wanting to play. He's not too hyperactive, certainly has a lot of puppy energy but was the most laid back of a litter of 9 and am expecting he'll slow down a bit when he gets older. I fear that I'm not being enough of an alpha leader for him. When he goes to chase a cat I certainly correct him and he'll stop. However twice I wasn't quick enough. Ideally I need puppy to know he has to leave them alone or at least be gentle around them. Would be happy to hear about any strategies to help the members of my household get along. Oh, if it helps. He gets walked at least once every day. He has heaps of toys whilst I'm at work. Doesn't get separation anxiety. I spend time with him in the evening and he sleeps inside, on the tiled hallway outside of my bedroom (cats get bedroom so he's just outside). I take him at least a few times a week to the local dog park. He's well socialised. I also feed him good quality food - guide dog brand growth mince and Royal Canin Labrador puppy dry food as well as marrow bones. Thanks heaps Jaz