Skip to main content
0

Reviews And Case Studies

How a Great Pyrenees Learned to Live with Each Other and Cats: A Holistic Dog Training Success Story

Introduction

Struggling to introduce your dog to a new cat? You’re not alone. Many pet parents face challenges when integrating dogs and cats into one harmonious household. In this case study, we’ll share how holistic dog training transformed Opal, a Great Pyrenees with cat-chasing tendencies, into a calm and gentle companion. Whether you’re dealing with fixation, chasing, or other issues, this step-by-step guide offers practical tips to help create peace in your multi-pet home.

Client Background: Opal’s Story

Opal, a 3-year-old Great Pyrenees, joined her new family with her sister Nova after being rehomed through a Great Pyrenees rescue group. Known for her calm demeanor and affectionate personality, Opal had one notable challenge: her interactions with the family’s three cats, particularly one named Meda.

The family reported moments of fixation, chasing, and confusing play behaviors, which left them concerned about leaving the pets unsupervised. They reached out for guidance to ensure safety and harmony while helping Opal adjust to her new home.

Key Challenges

  1. Fixation on Cats:
     Opal displayed focused attention and occasional chasing behavior toward Meda.
  2. Play Concerns:
     The family couldn’t determine if Opal’s vocalizations during play were playful or a red flag.
  3. Toy Fearfulness:
     Opal showed little interest in enrichment toys and seemed fearful during attempts at interactive play.
  4. Multi-Pet Anxiety:
     The family felt uneasy leaving the pets alone, fearing unexpected aggression.

Holistic Behavior Intervention Plan

1. Managing the Environment for Safety

  • Separate Spaces:
     Initially, Opal and the cats were kept apart using baby gates and designated safe zones. This provided the cats with secure retreat spaces and reduced stress during unsupervised times.
  • Gradual Introductions:
     Controlled interactions were facilitated through scent exchanges (e.g., swapping bedding) and brief visual introductions with a physical barrier.

2. Creating Positive Associations

  • Reward Calm Behavior:
     Every time Opal displayed calm interest in the cats, she was rewarded with high-value treats, reinforcing desirable behavior.
  • Redirecting Fixation:
     A finger snap and “look here” cue helped interrupt fixation, redirecting Opal’s attention to her guardians for a reward.
  • Short Sessions:
     Limited interactions to brief, positive moments, ensuring neither Opal nor the cats felt overwhelmed.

3. Building Confidence Through Enrichment

  • Introducing Toys Slowly:
     Food-based toys like snuffle mats and Kong puzzles were used to engage Opal in a low-pressure way, helping her associate toys with positive experiences.
  • Decompression Walks:
     Daily walks in quiet areas allowed Opal to release energy and return to the home environment in a calmer state.

4. Assessing and Adjusting Play Dynamics

  • Noise Assessment:
     By observing and recording play interactions, we identified that the noise was excitement-based rather than aggression, reassuring the family.
  • Structured Playtime:
     Playtime with Nova was monitored to model appropriate behaviors and ensure energy levels didn’t escalate.

Results: Transformation in 8 Months

  1. Improved Interactions with Cats:
     Opal now calmly coexists with the cats, including Meda, even during unsupervised times.
  2. Positive Play Behaviors:
     Play vocalizations were confirmed as excitement-based, and Opal learned to engage gently.
  3. Increased Confidence:
     Enrichment activities helped Opal overcome her fear of toys and build trust in her new environment.
  4. Household Harmony:
     The client reported feeling confident in leaving all pets together without supervision.

Client Reflection

“Watching Opal transform has been incredible. She’s now a gentle, loving companion to our cats. The structured approach Roman provided gave us peace of mind and the tools we needed to build trust and harmony in our home.”

Practical Tips for Multi-Pet Integration

  1. Start with Separation: Use baby gates or closed doors to introduce scents and reduce stress.
  2. Reward Calmness: Reinforce calm behavior with treats or praise during introductions.
  3. Provide Escape Routes: Give cats high perches or safe spaces to retreat if needed.
  4. Use Positive Redirection: Interrupt fixation with cues like “look here” and reward your dog for responding.
  5. Take It Slow: Introduce interactions gradually to avoid overwhelming either pet.

Ready to Create Harmony in Your Multi-Pet Home?

Holistic training can transform your dog’s behavior and bring peace to your household. 📅 Book a discovery call today: https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web

A pair of Great Pyrenees dogs eating from elevated wooden dog bowls in a cozy kitchen setting. Their meal setup promotes healthy digestion and reduces strain on their joints.

Two years after he launched at my four year old child…

Bruce is an amazing dog. He’s sweet and kind, he comes when I call him, he listens well. His favorite thing is a car ride, he loves to stick his head out the window; and he loves to cuddle.

We found Bruce online, he was listed for sale with no picture and very little background information. Despite this, we were drawn to him and felt that he belonged with our family. We were given a lot of very conflicting information about his previous family and the life he lived, so to this day, I really don’t know where Bruce was before he came to us, or what kind of life he lived. What I do know is that he is like a big, goofy puppy, and my life wouldn’t be the same without him.

Three days after we got Bruce, this story was almost stopped in its tracks. Two days before, my daughter Victoria, who was 4 at the time, walked up to Bruce while he slept and he jumped up, growled, and ran away. I thought she had startled him, and talked to her about being careful not to sneak up on the dogs. Two days later, while Bruce slept on my bed, Victoria walked into my bedroom and approached my bed. Bruce lunged slightly forward and snapped at her. I was shocked, Victoria was terribly upset, and afraid. I removed Bruce from my room, and put him in the living room.

This is one of those moments that I will never forget. I was devastated, completely heart broken. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like a failure. I had failed my new dog and I had failed my daughter. After everyone was calm, I went to the living room and sat on the floor. Bruce came over to me and put his head against mine and I cried. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, but I didn’t want to lose Bruce. I didn’t want to be another home that abandoned him.

And he kept his word. I had to relearn what I thought dog training was, and I am so glad that I did!

I shared my story, asking for advice, in a mastiff group on Facebook. Amongst the comments about rehoming and those offering to take Bruce off my hands, somebody tagged Roman, and he reached out to me. He called me the next morning and told me that I could calm down because I would not have to rehome Bruce. And he kept his word. I had to relearn what I thought dog training was, and I am so glad that I did.

Bruce has been with my family for more than two years now. He is an absolute light in my life, he brings joy to me every single day. There will never be words for me to express just how grateful I am to Roman for helping me learn how to be the best caregiver that I can be for Bruce.

Melissa W. – Canada

Interested in learning how to keep dogs and kids safe?
Book a discovery video call here: https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web.

May 13, 2023

Case Study: Transforming Prey-Like Obsession into Peaceful Coexistence

mastiff, Aggression, cat

Client Background

The client reached out regarding Butkus, a 2-year-old English Mastiff, who displayed obsessive and potentially predatory behavior toward a newly adopted kitten. Butkus, typically well-mannered and sweet, lived with his older Yorkie brother, Bentley, without issue until the kitten’s arrival. The behavior included “staring down,” fixation, and lack of responsiveness to his guardians’ cues. The family, concerned for the kitten’s safety, sought guidance on how to ensure both pets could coexist peacefully.

Initial Concerns

  • Butkus’ fixation on the kitten created tension, raising concerns about high prey drive.
  • Safety for both pets was paramount, especially since the family was unsure how Mastiffs might behave around cats.
  • Separation added stress, as Butkus and the kitten vocalized when apart.

Holistic Behavior Intervention Plan

Step 1: Behavior Assessment & Context

The first consultation revealed the following key factors:

  • Butkus’ Temperament: A gentle, food-motivated dog with no prior exposure to cats.
  • Environmental Setup: Shared spaces needed boundaries to minimize stress for all animals.
  • Human Anxiety: The guardians’ concern for the kitten created heightened emotional energy in the home.

Step 2: Immediate Safety Measures

I recommended:

  • Physical Separation: Keep the kitten in a secure room when unsupervised, allowing Butkus to acclimate to the kitten’s scent through a door.
  • Scent Introduction: Encourage Butkus to sniff items associated with the kitten to begin building familiarity and positive associations.
  • Controlled Visual Introductions: Ensure all early interactions were managed on leash, reinforcing calm behavior.

Step 3: Gradual Exposure Process

Using my trauma-informed framework, we prioritized incremental exposure:

  • Positive Reinforcement for Calmness: Rewarded Butkus for showing calm interest in the kitten (e.g., sniffing, sitting, or lying down).
  • Brief Introductions: Held the kitten securely while allowing Butkus short, controlled interactions, redirecting fixation with high-value treats.
  • Consistent Cues: Established a clear hand signal (“sit”) and sound cue (finger snap) to interrupt unwanted fixation.

Step 4: Addressing the Root Cause of Fixation

To address Butkus’ behavior holistically:

  • Emotional Regulation Exercises: Introduced calming activities such as slow feeding from a snuffle mat and decompression walks.
  • Environmental Adjustments: Provided the kitten with escape routes, such as a cat tree, to create a sense of security.
  • Pack Dynamics: Encouraged Bentley’s role as a natural pack leader to model appropriate behavior, as he barked when Butkus attempted to chase.

Outcome

Within 2 Months:

  • Butkus developed a calm, relaxed demeanor around the kitten.
  • Both pets now coexist peacefully, even when unsupervised.
  • Butkus displays affectionate, non-threatening behaviors, such as gentle licks and playful interactions.
  • The guardians report a harmonious household dynamic, with Bentley naturally reinforcing boundaries.

Key Takeaways

  • Holistic and Incremental Approach:
     The slow, controlled introduction of the kitten allowed Butkus to process and adjust without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Understanding Individual Motivations:
     Leveraging Butkus’ food motivation and Bentley’s leadership provided natural reinforcement mechanisms.
  • Empowering Guardians:
     With tools, techniques, and emotional support, the family fostered a positive bond between Butkus and the kitten.

Client Testimonial

“Roman’s approach helped us turn what felt like an impossible situation into a heartwarming success story. We’re thrilled to see Butkus and the kitten as best friends now. It’s all thanks to his patient, step-by-step guidance that gave us confidence to build trust and harmony in our home.” – Rachel Simmonds

Interested in learning how to resolve your own multi-pet challenges?
Book a discovery video call here: https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web.

Tagged: mastiff, cat, predation, dog behavior, aggression

Follow Us On

© 2025 All rights reserved by United Web Developers