What can we do to stop puppy going for the cat?

Hello, just over two weeks we brought home an 11 weeks old pup who has settled in well.
The first few days our six months old cat was hissing and batting her paw (but not scratching) at Pebbles if she got too close. Within a few days the cat allowed her closer and they sniffed and even played game of the cat ambush the dog and the dog chases the cat in the garden.

All seemed well since mid week last week...

Pebbles is now constantly after the cat. Cat cannot walk into the kitchen without Pebbles going after her and jumping on her, biting her tail or trying to sit on her.
No matter how many times we stop her in her tracks by saying a firm 'no' and even placing ourselves in the way so the cat can move away, at every chance she keeps going for the cat again and again.
It is not a game that the cat enjoys anymore and this morning she actually cried out loudly when Pebbles got hold of the skin on her back.  
Cat doesn't even have to be running to trigger a chase and for Pebbles to go for her, sometimes she is just sitting on the floor having a wash. Pebbles is acting like a bully with the poor cat.

Pebbles'way of 'playing' is getting way too dominant for the cat and we are worried that the cat will get hurt or Pebbles'eyes will end up being scratched.

Unsure of what to think about this behaviour when it was going well and clueless as to how to stop it. Any advice welcome. Thanks.

I have never owned a cat so not going to be much help, there are plenty here that do own both so I am sure with more knowledge than me will help Xx

Thanks Janey  

Anyone had/has a similar issue? any tips...?

Sometimes you often find the cats are the problem,and while the dog is doing more now it coulda been the cat who started it all in the first place.

With my last staffy we had to get rid of the cat because it was starting the fights,dog has to be picked over the cat, stereotypically cats and dogs just dont get on but when a puppy does come into a house with a cat being already there there is a chance it could work,seems in your case it wont

We do have many members with both cats & dogs. Hopefully someone will be along soon with some help, sorry I don't have any personal experience in this, we don't have a cat

Are you able to get a baby gate? If so, put it on the door to the kitchen or lounge, where ever the dog is. Then the cat has a chance to escape. Cats a very smart and vindictive, so it probably will sit just outside the gate when it knows the dog is there but when it is near, practice the LEAVE command which can be practiced with anything, toys, food etc. Be really forceful!

Thank you for the replies.
I just couldn't leave my cat   She is such a loving cat and not a pedigree so she could end up in a shelter if things didn't work out in a new home.
I have just bought an extending Lindam baby gate for hubby to install between the kitchen and the lounge as we have a wide doorway there without a door. I might also install a cat flap in the front door so the cat can access outside without having to cross the kitchen.

I think Pebbles is just simply too rough in her play with the cat. Don't think she means to really hurt as her tail is often wagging when she clocks the cat. She will chase her if the cat starts running and mostly she will jump up and try to mouth and sometimes bite the cat's tail.
I try to stop her by clapping my hands, calling her name, or even getting hold of her to stop her.
Today we met 4 dogs in the park while walking and Pebbles was trying to jump up at them just in the same way as she jumps at Mia (that's the cat)
The sad thing is now Mia has started hissing and growling at Pebbles again, whenever she comes near her (can't blame her really) and she swat her on the head.
I just hope that as Pebbles grows older she might learn to be calmer with the cat and other dogs.

We will be taking her to puppy romp sessions for the next 4 weeks. I am a bit worried as to how she will react.

We have 3 cats, 2 Siamese and a moggie, and when we first got Bacchus he would chase them, but they would just jump onto a higher surface. We also found that when the cats faced him up he would stop in his tracks. He has also learned that cats have very sharp claws so now avoids confrontation. In fact he pretty much ignores the cats now, but if he gets too close they hiss and spit even though he is paying no attention. If he is upstairs and a cat is sitting on the stairs when he wants to come down, he will sit and cry until it moves, he won't pass it.

Patience and perseverance. I had the same issue with my pup and resident cat. They still have their moments but on the whole are much better and sometimes will sit and cuddle and groom each other. Otis has just turned a year and its only really been last few months I've noticed a difference.

Never leave the two alone unattended. If puppy tries to go for the cat separate them and use a leave command. Reward the dog and the cat with treats or claps etc for good behavior with each other to use positive reinforcement for when they are good around each other.

Tip also chase our resident cats but we try to distract her. When her body language tells us now she is about to go after them.

looks like you have some grest advice there from experienced people so best of luck

And for Reuben , I didn't have Bachus down as a wimp   

Dave wrote:looks like you have some grest advice there from experienced people so best of luck

And for Reuben , I didn't have Bachus down as a wimp   

Just appreciates that discretion is the better part of valour:lol:  

Thank you your posts have given me some hope  

We will keep on doing what we are doing to stop the 'attacks'.
Actually this morning i saw the cat make a run at the dog who was on the other side of the newly installed safety gate in the kitchen. Then after getting the dog all excited she sat about a foot away from the gate looking smug.   So the cat isn't all sweetness after all!

At times the dog and cat just sit and ignore each other but then suddenly Pebbles decides to chase or jumps on the cat and it begins. The cat retaliates by hissing and batting her head with her paw. So far the claws have stayed in but maybe they'll be out if Pebbles pushes her too far.
It seems like Pebbles needs to learn that playing with the cat isn't just on her own terms.

We have two cats and two dogs, they are generally fine. We have had Alfie our staff for 6 months and it has taken some work but he is ok with the cats now.
Distract her when she starts to chase, and try to stop her chasing the cat in the garden as they can get really excited if its a long chase over open ground.
If the cat has high surfaces or babygates to escape onto it should be ok.
Just keep watching and distracting and you should be fine, she is a puppy so i think she will learn that cat = pack.