Cavalier King Charles in flat?

UKTigerlily

I agree in some respects, I was suprised, whether it's cause I used to work for a kennels that worked with them in rehoming dogs or what idk. We had a long talk with several members of staff, for well over an hour on everything so I guess they could see i'm commited & know what's what and the landlord permission form isn't too recent so they can see it's not a rash decision. Also, them coming here wouldn't allow them to see if I had others eg breeding farm, cause anyone requesting landlord permission etc would probably make their home so that it looks ok.

By that I mean they don't spot check so if they said we'll come on x date, anyone could move things about. I told them I have rats & a cat so they already knew about other pets & they did cat check her. They said the reason they don't need to home check is there's no garden to check. I think normally they do do checks cause they were arranging them for others, so whether it's cause they know me from when I was young or not I dunno.

Also what's to stop someone having the home check at say another house! I could invite them to my Mum's huge house with a garden & say I live there, they don't know. I can only guess at their reasons but maybe it's because I was honest & they know me from years back thru working with them at the other kennels? I do agree in general with home checks but also home checks can't prove anything really.

I could have a dog hating b-f come round nightly for all they know, I could have 5 kids under 3 that are conveniently at an Aunts for the check. Could have it done elsewhere, i'm sure people get round it. They probably didn't check for size etc cause I said right up it's got no private garden & is small. Maybe if i'd said yeah it's big etc they'd check! lol

I was suprised though but who knows, not all rescues do 100% of the time, even RSPCA don't always! When we had people to our kennels sometimes you just get a feel for them & if they say the place might not be ok because of size they're not likely to be hiding much. Not sure if they have home checkers in the area either, maybe that's why?

I spose I can only guess why they don't but they might come after it's settled in to follow up, I hope so cause I don't want to take her back there to visit in case she thinks she's being left there + it's over £40 to get there by taxi lol

I wanna show her off & show them she's happy! So yeah I hope they do a follow up!

UKTigerlily

oo also people, should I buy a DAP & Feliway diffusers for them? Would that help them settle maybe? It's so important for me to do this right, i'd hate to take the dog back & i'm sure the cat will be ok once she gets her nose back in joint, but everything that can help them I need!

Also, (Gonna write all these q's for the rescue too!) would the dog be ok in the kitchen at night until such time as the dog & cat are safe together if not happy! I thought it might be best that way because then the cat A) Can sleep knowing she's safe from the dog & Will be able to sleep alone with me :rolleyes: so have 121 attention away from the dog still.

I was thinking the hall but till the new door comes there's a gap & it's cold! The kitchen has a tile floor so any pee etc can be easily cleaned up & it's warmer (Boiler in there too, if I put heating on for abit b4 bed too?). No external doors from kitchen so should be warm enough (Of course it'd have it's bed/blankets whatever)

Then also when the new door comes & Podge has her cat flap she can get out without going nr the dog if she likes. And when I go out it could be in the kitchen too until safe with Podge? Only be for a few hours occasionally. Of course it'd have water & bedding, a kong, toys etc, thought I could plug a DAP in there & a feliway in the main room with Podge?

I was thinkin a baby/dog stairgate from kitchen to main room not the whole door shut, or would that be better? Seems abit sad to totally shut it in so it can't see in the main room? Also if it barks tons while i'm out there's no neighbours on the kitchen side! lol

I don't wanna do it if it's cruel tho! The dog can still go out to do it's business anytime at night, I was gonna take it every x amount of time, then increase slowly till it goes from about midnight to 7amish. I think the kitchen would be best at night to keep Podge happy too, if they get on then the dog can join us!

Thoughts? I don't wanna be cruel to the dog & make it feel abandoned

foreign_correspondent

My dogs have always slept in the kitchen - for various reasons I am not sure its healthy (physically or psychologically) for them or for us to be together or sleep together all the time!

My dog has a plastic dog bed (I like these as they keep any draughts out and are easy to clean) in a warm cosy spot in the corner of the kitchen, in which she has nice soft bedding, a fleecy dog blanket from home bargains and she has her waterbowl nearby.

The first night we got her she settled in there ok, but then whimpered a bit for the first half hour and sporadically during the night. The next evening she whimpered for about ten minutes, then she has never whimpered since at night!

Now when she gets tired she takes herself off there, and if it gets a bit too busy in the house she has a quiet corner to retreat to.

To be honest, as your dog isnt very young or very old I would think it is quiet unlikely she will need to go out for a pee in the nght - mine never have. Sleep hormones slow down nocturnal urine producton apparently.

UKTigerlily

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

My dogs have always slept in the kitchen - for various reasons I am not sure its healthy (physically or psychologically) for them or for us to be together or sleep together all the time!

My dog has a plastic dog bed (I like these as they keep any draughts out and are easy to clean) in a warm cosy spot in the corner of the kitchen, in which she has nice soft bedding, a fleecy dog blanket from home bargains and she has her waterbowl nearby.

The first night we got her she settled in there ok, but then whimpered a bit for the first half hour and sporadically during the night. The next evening she whimpered for about ten minutes, then she has never whimpered since at night!

Now when she gets tired she takes herself off there, and if it gets a bit too busy in the house she has a quiet corner to retreat to.

To be honest, as your dog isnt very young or very old I would think it is quiet unlikely she will need to go out for a pee in the nght - mine never have. Sleep hormones slow down nocturnal urine producton apparently.

Yeah they said she's really good & doesn't go till they let her out in the morning! There's a bit next to the boiler where a bed would fit nicely, now i'm having trouble finding a gate thingy cause that door is so narrow! I hope I find one the hall is cold till they do the new door. I guess if I can't find one do I either shut the kitchen door fully or put her in the hall with the heating on, there's a radiator there but a slight gap in the front door. She feels the cold, was even shivering today with a jumper & coat on lol

I'm wondering how best to intro them too, i'll trim the cats claws down & make sure she can get high up, she does have a scratching post she can eat on top of & the dog can be shut out while she eats. I was gonna let the cat be free & have the dog on a lead all the time or in the kitchen with this stair gate so it could see the cat, was lol now I can't find a realllllllllllllllllllly narrow stairgate!

I think the dog will chase her if she runs so I want it all quiet & to not excite the dog, I just hope they can learn to be ok in the same room! I spose if I keep the dog on a short lead at first and praise her for being calm, if I can have it so the cat doesn't leg it, then she might learn it's good to be calm. I dunno whether to muzzle her at first or what, can't see she'd need it tho if on a lead.

I'm reading online too, when we moved in with the ex's family we just let them get on with it, my cats ok if the dog is but in that case it was her moving into their home not something taking over her home!

foreign_correspondent

I would shut the kitchen door - I think the dog will settle much better if she cant see you or the cat! She may appreciate the peace and quiet, dogs do like dark enclosed den like spaces for security

I have never used feliway or dap but they may be useful. I would keep the dog on a lead for the first hour and maybe leave the lead on her but dangling for a bit longer, so you can easliy grab it if she did show too much interest in the cat. Also if you decide you dont want her getting on the settee etc having a lead attached can be handy for directing her

UKTigerlily

I dunno why i'm so nervous the cat is easy going, but I spose i've had her so many years I don't want to upset her & i'd hate the dog to have to go back! Yeah I think I will close the kitchen door & also it has a tiled floor, the rest of the place has carpet, so at least any accidents are easily cleaned up! Would it be fair to leave her in there when I go out? Mainly once a week for 1.5hrs, then occasionally longer, like every 6-8 weeks I have a med appointment when i'm out for 3hrs, possibly 4?

I feel so mean cause the kitchens small, it'd fit her dog bed easily, then she'd have room to walk about, but it's not big! It's an ideal place for when i'm out though until I know 200% that her & the cat are ok, unless it's a day the cat decides she wants to go out when I do, which sometimes happens!

The 1.5hr one I can stick the cat out for, just it does get cold now so i'd rather she could get back in as & when she wants. I'm splitting the rat cage in two & thinking of using the one empty half as a cat den. If I take the door off the dog could get her head in & maybe get in, but i'm wondering if the guy upstairs could cut the bars so just the cat could get in, then I could stick a huge sheet over it so the cat would be hidden. It's really big, the base is about 2.5 x 2.5ft I think. Or I could put it at an angle to a wall maybe so the cat can squeeze thru.

foreign_correspondent

yep, the dog will be fine in the kitchen for a few hours, will probably feel more secure than if she has the run of the flat in my opinion - i leave the dog in the kitchen when i go out, (its also easier to make sure its dog safe if its just one room). Mine seems to be pleased to get in bed and have a snooze, especially if she has had a bit of a stroll first, and is fine for four hours or so.

I have to say, occasionally when I have been held up with work or emergencies she has been in for longer (occasionally 7-8 hours), and has always been absolutely fine and nonplusssed by it!

Having said that, when I am at home working, she can sleep for hours, and I think thats what they do when we are out - take a nap! - which is what I am going to do now! night :-)

UKTigerlily

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

yep, the dog will be fine in the kitchen for a few hours, will probably feel more secure than if she has the run of the flat in my opinion - i leave the dog in the kitchen when i go out, (its also easier to make sure its dog safe if its just one room). Mine seems to be pleased to get in bed and have a snooze, especially if she has had a bit of a stroll first, and is fine for four hours or so.

I have to say, occasionally when I have been held up with work or emergencies she has been in for longer (occasionally 7-8 hours), and has always been absolutely fine and nonplusssed by it!

Having said that, when I am at home working, she can sleep for hours, and I think thats what they do when we are out - take a nap! - which is what I am going to do now! night :-)

Yeah me too, when the dog comes I plan to get into a routine, last walk @ 11pm & bed by 11:45! lmfaooooo I'm glad I can leave her in the kitchen while out, I *could* stick the cat in the hall but for 3yrs she's had the main room & she'll not be happy, so would rather if she's in she has the main room still & the dog be securely kept away just in case!

Also think i'll not let the dog on the bed so that's the cats area. I think they'll adjust, thank gawd I have everyone here, I was like this when I got my rats! I'm considering calling them tomorrow & asking them to stick a towel in with her, so I can bring that home on Friday for the cat to have (Lucky cat!) just so she's smelt the dog before!

Planning to walk the dog for 1hr from 8am :eek: then again for an hour at about 4pm, then about 20 minutes @ 11pm, then in between take her out the front & chuck her ball about or whatever she has or onto the park. Decided she will be fed after the cat & after her walks.

You watch after all this her real owners coming forward :eek: I need a list of what to buy! I'm thinking of:

Collar/lead/lungeline & tag
Bed
Food/water bowls
Some toys including a kong
Plenty of books on Staffs/training etc
DAP & Feliway thingys
6 months Frontline
Some Drontal
Food/treats
Dog gate for the door if I can find one, not holding out much hope
Don't need toothpaste the cats is for dogs & cats! lol maybe a toothbrush tho!
Ok off to bed!

Already got bags fer cleaning up after her & I need a coat too lmfaooo [EMAIL="P@H"]P@H[/EMAIL] do some right bling coats. No, I won't make her have a bling version lol

foreign_correspondent

You forgot -
Dog shampoo for when she finds something stinky to roll in! lol! and maybe a soft dog brush.

Wilko puppy shampoo with aloe vera is nice - they also do a good range of dog bits and bobs!

right I really am off to bed now! I think I am becomng nocturnal, gradually!

ooh, I got badger a nice showerproof coat, same one as this except with a checky collar! - https://www.k9capers.com/shop/proddetail.asp?prod=9447&cat=135

Its not a bad idea to take the dog to the shop with you and try some on to see which fit best

UKTigerlily

Wh00ps I ordered her ID Tag today & think I did it wrong, I did what the place said ([EMAIL="P@H"]P@H[/EMAIL]) because my address won't fit on the tag (Loooooong street name) & I didn't want her or my name on it, so they said put the phone number, the word microchipped (As she is) & my house number & postcode. Now I look on KC website & it needs the owner name? Or can that all go on the inside of the collar (Was gonna use black marker to put my full address, or as full as I can get, phone # & name in the inner collar).

I hope I don't need the full address & my name on the disk! Saw the collar I want it's at [EMAIL="P@H"]P@H[/EMAIL] & is £4.99 for the Medium size which should fit her (14 to 20 inches). Gonna be a nutter & take a tape measure up the rescue & measure her neck! lol