Magic lives up to his name

[Samurai_Writer]

I posted a couple of days ago that I recently adopted a black cocker spaniel, Magic, from the SPCA. Well, I have two cats also, and have been keeping them separated when I am not home. I have a 42" doggy gate across one hallway, that separates the guest bedroom and bathroom from the rest of the apartment. Magic has been very good about going inside the gate when told (I give him a treat each time he does). I came home today at lunch to let him out. When I put him back inside the gate, he looked quite unhappy that I was leaving again. *sniffs* Anyway, when I come home from work, who is looking outside the KITCHEN window, but Magic. I come inside, and the gate is exactly as I left it, with a chair filled with books in front of it. The books were still exactly I had left them as well. There is no other way for the dog to get out of that area, but where the gate is.

Is it possible for a cocker spaniel to jump four feet high and across about four feet without disturbing anything? I guesstimate he's about 18-20" tall at the shoulder and weighs a bit less than 30#. He's not fat at all, he has great muscle tone.

I'm honestly stumped. I am going to set up my webcam tonight and see if I can catch him doing it.

[Kahuna]

1. Cute story. Let us know how the webcam thingy works out..

:D

[DUreader]

2. If There Was No Trouble With The Cats, You Can Ditch The Gate!

I think most cats could make that jump

Maybe he transformed into a cat til you got back

[Samurai_Writer]

4. The cats are mostly OK with him

My grey male cat is perfectly fine with him. My black female cat is still a bit skittish, and is mostly staying at least 4' above the ground at all times. She did come down and sat next to me on the sofa earlier, though, even though Magic was laying less then 3 feet away on the floor. I think they will be OK together.

My cats are 12 and 13 years old (Momma cat being the older one). She's slowed down a bit in the past year, is not able to jump as much as she used to, so I think that might be a reason for her caution as well. Magic can be rather energetic at times, and I guess I'm just afraid he might accidentally hurt her without meaning to while I am not around.

[Wickerman]

3. Wow! A good Cocker Spaniel can jump fairly well

so I don't know - its possible. If you really think its a problem leaving him with the cats you might try a crate. Most dogs find the crate a security when their owner isn't home. I'd ask some knowledgable Cocker owners first, but could be a solution.