Back story; Have two older (9+ yrs) cats (Ren and Stimpy - original residents), one young female cat (-2) (Minou), one female dog (Gracie), and one male dog (Niko). Niko is new to the house but about 7 yrs old. Gracie came as a pup, and Minou as a kitten. We had another dog (George) but lost him so, because Gracie was depressed, we took on Niko - who shares a father with George and looks virtually identical. Niko is a sheltie. Gracie is a ‘Cavashel’ (Sheltie-Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix).
Ren and Stimpy hate Niko. Minou doesn’t care. Gracie and Niko get along fine. Ren moved out of the house six months ago when Niko moved in. He now lives outside in the barn or in the woods and fields around the house. We dragged him in during the winter and left him in a separate part of the house (away from Niko) but as soon as we went to bed he’d head back out. We have a pet door for all the critters and the cats have free reign. The dogs are locked in our bedroom with us at night.
Stimpy is starting to get used to Niko and will occasionally come downstairs (out of the safe zone) to eat but mostly stays in his bed in the safe zone. He’s not a very active cat at the best of times.
None of the cats, including Ren are bothered by Gracie at all. Ren moved out when we got her too but moved back after a few weeks. He also moved out when we originally got George but moved back home after a month.
Niko is a jerk. He’s obsessed with the two old cats (who are brothers and look virtually the same). I’ve managed to get him to leave Stimpy mostly alone when he shows his face but if Stimpy tries to go out or runs in any way, Niko is on him. Minou, on the other hand, can prance by, run by, scamper by, jump on Niko, do anything she pleases and he pretty much ignores her. He was all excited about her at first too, but she smacked him a few times and he’s learned.
The other day Stimpy came downstairs and I held Niko and he was literally shaking with eagerness to go after Stimpy. If Niko jumps at Stimpy, Stimpy will run. If Gracie approaches him he does nothing or rubs up against her. So it’s not a dog/cat thing. It’s a specific dog/specific cat thing.
And the worst problem is Ren. We don’t know how to get him back into the house and we don’t know how to get Niko to leave him be. Stimpy will figure it out eventually I think. But I’m starting to despair with Ren. Strangely, when we first got Niko none of the cats were bothered. I’m pretty sure they thought he was George. Then he barked and all hell broke loose. Even now, Ren will occasionally come out of the woods when my husband is walking Niko and Gracie (on a leash) and rub around them. Until Niko barks, then all bets are off.
So… advice?
I’m thinking of getting this; Educator. Anyone have any experience with them?
Sorry about the wall of text. Not sure how to explain it any other way.