Tucker's two problems and stealing stuff and obsessing over Willie. I hadn't brought up the Willie one because the first one is more dangerous, but it's getting really, really annoying and I don't see it getting better on its own.
We have two cats, Neko and Willie. Since getting Tucker they have learned how to play with him and were doing well at that. Chasing back and forth, gentle swatting, gentle mouthing, etc. However in the last couple of months Tucker had become over the top with Willie, not Neko (He'll start with Neko, but Neko is more intimidating and Tucker knows that when Neko says enough he should listen). Essentially Tucker wants to play with Willie, Willie doesn't want to play so Tucker just pokes him, puts his head in his mouth, jumps on him, etc. Willie usually huddles down until he can't take it, he'll swat (which is unfortunately what Tucker wants because he believes it's play) and try to get away onto something high but Tucker it VERY good at blocking him. Eventually Willie will get away, usually by walking and ignoring getting knocked over every few steps or having a nose shoved into the side of his head. Usually as the cat jumps onto something Tucker will jump up and try to nip at his legs, he is inhibiting his bite and there is absolutely no damage, but I am afraid he'll grab a leg and yank him down one day. Once the cat is on something Tucker might bark at him or if he's on furniture he'll bounce his front paws against the edge of the cushion and snap at the air towards the cat.
Now, Tucker will stop when you tell him to leave it. However that means a few minutes of peace. Pretty much any time Willie is on the ground, unless Tucker is occupied or really tired, he will be harassing Willie. It's ridiculous, it's not like it just happens when Tucker is in a super playful mood. I can't just continually ask him to leave it and give him a treat, that'll end up as a bad chain. If the cat holds out on ignoring him for a very long time Tucker will just start cleaning the inside of his ears, which might be better than the face poking, but is still not something Willie likes. On a rare occasion Tuck will try to hump him.
Any advice? I don't want him to stop playing with the cats altogether, but this obsessive, bully like behavior needs to stop or at least be greatly reduced.
We have two cats, Neko and Willie. Since getting Tucker they have learned how to play with him and were doing well at that. Chasing back and forth, gentle swatting, gentle mouthing, etc. However in the last couple of months Tucker had become over the top with Willie, not Neko (He'll start with Neko, but Neko is more intimidating and Tucker knows that when Neko says enough he should listen). Essentially Tucker wants to play with Willie, Willie doesn't want to play so Tucker just pokes him, puts his head in his mouth, jumps on him, etc. Willie usually huddles down until he can't take it, he'll swat (which is unfortunately what Tucker wants because he believes it's play) and try to get away onto something high but Tucker it VERY good at blocking him. Eventually Willie will get away, usually by walking and ignoring getting knocked over every few steps or having a nose shoved into the side of his head. Usually as the cat jumps onto something Tucker will jump up and try to nip at his legs, he is inhibiting his bite and there is absolutely no damage, but I am afraid he'll grab a leg and yank him down one day. Once the cat is on something Tucker might bark at him or if he's on furniture he'll bounce his front paws against the edge of the cushion and snap at the air towards the cat.
Now, Tucker will stop when you tell him to leave it. However that means a few minutes of peace. Pretty much any time Willie is on the ground, unless Tucker is occupied or really tired, he will be harassing Willie. It's ridiculous, it's not like it just happens when Tucker is in a super playful mood. I can't just continually ask him to leave it and give him a treat, that'll end up as a bad chain. If the cat holds out on ignoring him for a very long time Tucker will just start cleaning the inside of his ears, which might be better than the face poking, but is still not something Willie likes. On a rare occasion Tuck will try to hump him.
Any advice? I don't want him to stop playing with the cats altogether, but this obsessive, bully like behavior needs to stop or at least be greatly reduced.
