My Bengal kitten....Otis, aged 7 months, is constantly leaping or lying in ambush waiting to attack my husband's gun dog, Slip.

Slip is a Labrador who is well trained and has a gentle nature. She is now afraid of Otis and this is causing arguments between my husband and I.

I don't think that Otis would hurt Slip, it is just a game. But I worry a claw could hurt Slip's eyes. If Slip would turn around and face Otis, he would flee, but she runs away and so Otis chases

Any thoughts on how to resolve this?

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Jannette

My 5 month old Bengal does the same to my wife's min pin. She never uses claws though so I don't think it's a big deal. Rex is the same as your Labrador, somewhat scared of her. Over the past month I've noticed 2 things though, Rex is starting to realize she's just playing and Hazel is getting a bit bored that he doesn't reciprocate the playing. So the incidents are happening less and less. I don't know if your circumstance is similar but you might just have to wait it out. At first we were interceding all the time and I feel like it was just making Hazel more determined and convincing Rex there was a reason to be scared. Now we only interfere if it gets excessive.

Thanks. Yes, I think it is a matter of time plus letting themselves sort it out. I just find it a bit stressful as my husband gets angry and I seem to be trying to keep the peace all the time!

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Jannette

Are you spending time interacting with Otis? Do you play with him until he is worn out? Otis sees Slip as a play toy. Any moving thing is game to a bengal kitten. The sad thing is that these confrontations are causing Slip to lose confidence. And once Otis senses this, Slip is fair game. There's a system to getting cats and dogs to get along. And it takes work from the owners, rather than just putting the two together and seeing what happens.

Any time Otis is eying Slip, turn Otis' attention away with a toy. You should be playing with Slip as well. Your husband needs to be part of this. Bengal cats, especially, need attention and lots of play time. They are highly energetic. Make sure Otis has at least one tall cat tree and lots of scratchers and toys. He needs territory to call his own. Bengals love to be high up in the air and look down on everything.

Simply yelling at the cat or dog in this situation is not going to work. You need to put the time in to work with them. Eventually, the attacks should stop and Otis and Slip will be best friends -- and the marriage will be fine, too. You can't put the blame on anybody here. You're trying to blend a family -- and it's not always the easiest thing to do. Have patience and put in the time and effort to win. Most of all -- stop stressing out! The animals can sense this and it will not help the situation. Relax and breathe as you work through this.

Otis has a cat tree and loads of toys - fishing toys, da bird etc. He is my second Bengal and my first one was just the same but, as you say, eventually he and Slip became best friends and the cat would go for walks with my husband and Slip.
I shall persevere - thanks for your input!

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Jannette

Give us an update in a few weeks! I'm sure you will have seen a huge change in the situation.

Yes, I will do so! He has calmed down a lot in the last month. He was very wild at first - I think this is because the breeder did not have time to interact with him very much. He would bite me and scratch me but he has stopped doing that now. He is only 6 months old today!

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Jannette