Newly adopted boxer/lab - advice needed

traowyn

Hi there!

I'm new to the forum and I was wondering if anyone might have some advice for me regarding training my new boxer/lab mix, Reilly. We just adopted her from a shelter this week. She is about a year old and is very sweet. She is very friendly towards people and is rather calm around all other dogs. However, we also have 2 cats (both females, 4 years and 7 years) at home and she is having a very difficult time leaving them alone. The cats have been more daring than I thought they'd be, coming out into the living room to investigate the dog often. If the cats don't make any sudden movements, everything is pretty much ok. But as soon as they start to run, Reilly chases them.

Reilly has developed an attachment to us already and follows us around when we are home. I am worried that separation anxiety might become an issue. We don't have any experience with crate training, but have been told that it should be a gradual process, with plenty of positive reinforcement. We've been through two crates now. Reilly has managed to escape from the two (different brands/styles) of wire crates we've tried. Last night and for part of the day today we had no choice but to allow her to be free in the apartment. Everything worked out well last night (she went to sleep very quickly on the floor near our bed) and today nothing was disturbed in the apartment when we got back. But, now one of the cats is hiding. I'm not entirely sure if crating is the right avenue for us. I am also not sure how we can ease into the crating (like over a period of a few weeks) when we don't fully trust Reilly to roam around the apartment. Although things went well today, I don't feel 100% confident letting her loose while we're not here. Plus, I want to make sure that the cats will feel safe as well.

However, I should mention that we are signing her up for doggie daycare which she will be attending at a minimum once a week. We also have excellent dog walkers (they've watched our cats many times for us, but are primarily dog walkers) who can come and walk her once or twice during the day when we need it. So maybe with the development of a regular schedule filled with exercise we can resolve some of these issues. Also, I am hoping that more time will help the cats get used to Reilly. It has only been 4 days so far.

But, I would really like some input if anyone here has some words of wisdom for us! Thanks so much!

Tracey