I just got a cat he's about 5 months so he's not really big. Me and my boyfriend are getting a house and I want to bring him with me but my boyfriend has a pitt bull. We sleep with him everynight and he's so sweet and gentle. But I took Mr. Smithers(the cat) over there and Bryan had Elvis(the dog) by the collar. I was so scared and Elvis licked him a lot but I'm just to scared to let them be loose togetherbecause Mr. Smithers wouldn't have a chance. I feel like Elvis will hurt him if we are not there. What should I do we are moving out in a month.
2006-12-18 13:49:50 · 10 answers · asked by Kelley C 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Is Elvis an aggressive dog? When out on walks, does he charge or act otherwise "aggressive" towards squirrels, etc he comes across? If so, you may have a harder time introducing them, especially since he is grown. If not, you will likely have an easier time, but should definately take extreme care.
There are several methods that work, usually they involved controlling the dog, and allowing the cat to be the initiator of the meeting. This can either be accomplished by crating the dog, and bringing the cat into the room, or as you did before (only I would recommend a leash not just holding Elvis's collar). The main goal of this is to allow them to be in the same room with each other. When you do this, you want to praise the dog for any soft/submission behavior towards the cat, and discipline him for any aggression/barking/hyperactivity. You want to make sure that his behavior around the cat is controlled by you, and their introduction is controlled by the cat. This helps establish the cat as not only a member of the pack but a dominant member of the pack. Some trainers recommend the use of a muzzle when first introducing the pets off leash, and my recommendation would depend on the termperment of the dog. My dog, will wear a muzzle when he is in the same area as my cat (I am currently able to keep them separated, mostly due to my cats inactivity, and my dogs previous training about where he's allowed in the house), but some dogs don't need this after having been properly introduced. The website I have listed below has a weath of knowledge about dealing with typical dog issues, the specific page is for their recommendation on introducing cats and dogs. Whatever you do though, never just let the dog run into the house, uncontrolled until you have spent a month or two working with the cat and dog together. Once the dog learns to chase, it is hard to break that as it is a natural instinct. Best of luck with the two of them. I have many friends who have pit bulls that, regardless of their size and strength, are great friends with their feline house mates.
2006-12-18 14:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be fine as long as you are there the first several times they meet. Do it gradually and don't show any favoritism to the cat or dog. Let the cat run around in a room and take it out then bring the dog into the room and let him smell where the cat has been. Then remove the dog and let the cat in. this will let them know they are both there. Then gradually let them be together while you are both there. Then keep the kitten in another room when no one is home at the house. After a few weeks you'll see, they will be good friends. I have never had a problem with my own cats and dogs that I let gradually become friends. It's strange dogs that are the problem. When Elvis gets to know the kitten is funny, has claws and is not a dog, he will like it, I promise. Big dogs are babies too. They just have big bodies. Cats are very smart, very protective and a claw can tell even a big dog, that's enough and he will listen. Good luck with all the changes!!!
2006-12-18 14:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by MISS-MARY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to take some time, patience and a close "eye". You could try letting the cat loose within the home and when you're home have the dog on the leash. Don't let the dog chase him. Depending on the dogs age, he'll sense that the cat is still young and should treat it "different". I hope the dog isn't too hyper. Cats don't really like that. In September we got a new kitten aswell, now about 5 months old too. I already had a cat - 7 yrs - and a Labrador - 5 yrs - my dog wanted to play with the kitten. Accidentally stepped on the poor thing a few times, kitten was fine! I just let them be & watched carefully. When the dog got too wild the kitten hid where the dog couldn't get her. Now - they are good buddies. The kitten plays with the dogs tail or lays down beside him. Sometimes when the dog lies there, she plants herself beside him and starts playing with his head - his head is bigger than the whole kitten! She only takes off if he gets up and starts "bouncing" around. He's big and she knows it. Otherwise she has no fear of him.
Just watch them for a while closely, be patient, don't scold the dog, praise him if he's behaving the way he should and enjoy the friendship that will grow!
2006-12-18 14:03:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer sporting dogs. Our family has always owned them. I prefer their disposition. They're easily socialized and great with children. They are great for sports, hunting, travelling and act as great watch dogs for our property. We take our dogs on vacation with us and stay at only dog-friendly hotels. Atlas dogs have no idea how big they are & our lifestyle could not handle a dog the size of a pony. Even though I like little dogs, I have to have a dog I can use as a pillow while I'm watching t.v. :) Our dogs hate cats. Plus my husband's allergic. So I guess that answers the cat question.
2016-05-23 06:02:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I did was put my dog in a crate then let me cats smell the dog through that, that way both kept safe and my dog could smell them as well. Anytime my cats were downstairs (my dog doesn't go upstairs) I would do this the first few days then I would allow them to be together for short periods for another few days. After that they were fine. My cats now play with my Lab freely. Best to keep introducing them before moving in to let the scent of each other set in good.
2006-12-18 13:53:14 · answer #5 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the cat my hiss at the big dog. If the dog has never seen a cat he might must respect its space. Also dont declaw the cat. Even though its hard on the furniture. If they dog gets in a mood...its the only defense a cat as when its cornered!!!
2006-12-18 13:59:44 · answer #6 · answered by klandrgn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gradually introduce the cat to the dog more often over the next few weeks. If you feel the dog can be trusted the cat will be fine . But if there is slight mistrust, the dog may be snacking when your gone.
2006-12-18 13:58:16 · answer #7 · answered by trip 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 200 lb mastiff and he does fine with my cats. Whenever I introduce him to a new cat it is usually a kitten and I do it slowly. All he does is sniff them and push them around with his big nose. Occasionally he will slobber all over them and try to pick them up, but he never hurts them. I leave them alone when I go to work and not once has anything bad happened, I still have all my cats!
2006-12-18 13:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by digorbat11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let them find their own territory. They will adjust. Crate the cat when you are not there.
My malamute and main coon cat get along well. The dog has a very passive, loving disposition.
2006-12-18 13:54:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
jist let them do it themselves we had the same prob, but eventually, they'll get used to each other.......
2006-12-18 13:56:10 · answer #10 · answered by matty z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋