i just got an adorable, very smart mini poodle puppy, 12 weeks old.  i
have 4 cats, 2 are siamese 11 years old, and 2 rescues, 1 year and 5
years old.  the cats are terrified. cats have the upstairs and the
puppy has the downstairs. the puppy does not chase cats.  the cats
only come downstairs when puppy naps or at night.  i dont know how to
help the cats.  they are used to having the whole house and are very
unhappy.  any ideas?

We have a mixed cat-and-dog household. It takes time for things to
settle down when a new critter is introduced. I suggest that you
lavish lots of attention on the cats so that they will not feel that
your affection has been refocused solely on the puppy. Time will
probably improve the interrelationships between the species.

You need to understand how cats think. Here are some extracts from a
cat's diary that may help:

Day 183 of my captivity ... My captors continued to taunt me with
bizarre little dangling objects.  They dine lavishly on fresh meat,
while I am forced to eat dry cereal.

The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild
satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture.

Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.  Today my attempt to kill my
captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost;
succeeded.   Must try this at the top of the stairs.

In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once
again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair.  Must try this
on their bed.  Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body
in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try
to strike fear in their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about
what a good little cat I was.  Hmmm, not working according to plan.

There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices.  I was placed
in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and
smell the food.  More important, I overheard that my confinement was
due to my powers of inducing "allergies."
 
Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches.

The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return.  
He is obviously a half-wit.

The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant.  She speaks
with them regularly.  I am certain she reports my every move.  Due to
her current placement in the metal container, her safety is assured.

But I can wait; it is only a matter of time. 
 
Bryan

1] Trim everyone's claws, cats and dog alike.

2] Buy several large cans of tuna in oil. Drain well, saving the oil.
Eat tuna or feed it to pets.

3] Bathe all pets (good luck on that).

4] When all pets are bathed and nobody smells like a dog or a cat,
coat everyone in tuna oil.

5] Toss everyone into a small room that you won't mind smelling like
fish forever. Bathrooms are ideal for this. You were going to renovate
eventually, right? Or move?

6] Bask in the glow of love and contentment while you change the wound
dressings from when you bathed four cats and a poodle.

The cats won't know there's an extra "cat" in there 'cuz they can't
count-- three other cats, four other cats, what's the difference? Cats
are pretty much "Me, me, me; and food. Oh, and you, whoever you are.
You got some food? I'm gonna take a nap." Nobody smells wrong and
everybody smells delicious.

Gee Bryan....

Thats fantastic!!! Did you compose this??

Seriously murphy07...

I've had a dog/cat household for many years.

The cats should be integrated with the puppy as much as possible. I
would only separate them when no one is in the house.

What joy to have a new puppy!!!

Your cats will adjust.

Steph53

No Steph ... it wasn't any of my work but I can't recall who sent it to me.

I used to have a cat & then also a dog (Afghan Hound) and they hated
each other forever. Of course, if I'd known about Tuna Oil ...

However, I also had a dog (Cavalier King Charles) and then acquired a
rabbit called Bugsy (Don't ask!). Both had the run of the house and
garden although Raffles (the dog) had his bed inside and Bugsy had his
hutch outside.

Bugsy would often come in and snuggle up next to Raffles. Raffles
didn't seem impressed but he accepted it.

So the answer is to sell the cats and get some rabbits.

There is a sad ending because a neigbour's cat assassinated Bugsy.

Why do cats do such naughty things?

Bryan, 
obvious answer:  you didn't use olive oil.  Bugsy smelled of that
great, long haired beast of a dog, and the cats took out their natural
aversion on poor little Bugsy.

Like Steph, I was thinking that was a wonderful demonstration of your
imagination and poetic powers, but now I may have to downgrade my
opinion.  ;-)

Cheers, Myo