It's been a bit challenging at home recently.
Our two new neighbours each have a cat. The one immediately next door (we'll call them Grey) is apparently a bit anxious according to the neighbour. We barely see them, although they're a beautiful cat.
The one two doors down (we'll call them Tabby) is more confident, but mostly moves out of the way. They do like to hang around in my car parking space on occasion. I have sometimes had to get out and gently move them along so I can park.
Grey and Tabby use our shared garden fence as a transit route. Fair enough, it's a good route. They don't linger and although George will bark when he sees them on our section of the fence, it's usually a couple of seconds.
Enter cat number three who we'll call Black. Unlike Grey and Tabby, Black loves to linger on our fence. I don't know where Black lives.
Black will sit on the fence looking down at George losing his mind, as though George is an entertaining ant. I have tried (very very gently) shaking the tree near the fence in Black's direction and he looks at me like, thank you for providing that breeze.
It is becoming a bit of a problem. George has always been wary of the garden (we went through a phase where he was afraid to go outside at all and pooed in the house) and I really don't want to go back there again.
When Grey or Tabby pass by quickly he either doesn't notice or recovers quickly.
After a stand-off with Black, it can take hours for George to recover. He could be on edge for days. Obviously I bring him inside as soon as possible. Closing the curtains doesn't help. He'll be hyperventilating and pacing inside.
I know we can work on desensitisation but for the majority of the time at home, my priority is George's rest. He deals with a lot of triggers and I don't want home to be constant training.
I know this sounds harsh, but I have a water spray bottle by the back door. I can't have Black sitting on my fence for hours causing George immense stress.
I am not looking to put anything to deter cats on my fence because I want Grey and Tabby to still be able to pass through.
It has definitely increased George's stress levels at home, which of course affects his stress levels everywhere else.
Please hang out somewhere else, Mr Black.