How can I introduce my Dog to a Cat?

Question

My parents have a wonderful 4yr old labrador - Daisy. She's very friendly and tame. Sits when she's told, and doesn't even bark!! Really is the model Labrador! Ticks all the boxes!

Situation - We got her from a rescue home. The reason for being there was that she killed the previous owner's young child's rabbit. I believe it too, she chases them (and has caught 1 or 2). Not maliciously, just playfully (poor rabbit). She chases cats in the same way.

Problem - My girlfriend and I want to get a cat for our new place but want Daisy to be able to come and stay when needed.

Any advice??

Thanks

Answer 1

Take them out for a meal in the Harry met sally cafe,

Answer 2

We had a 5 year ols german shepherd when my husband came home one night with a stray kitten (about 9 months old) under his arm. The dog was not impressed! For the first night we kept them in separate rooms, but the next day I borrowed a cat cage and when we were home I put the cat in the cage and brought it into the room with the dog so they could both see, hear and smell each other but they were both safe from injury (i was worried about the kitten getting into the dogs mouth or the dog losing an eye to the kit's claws)
For two weeks they had to take it in turns to be in the room running free with us but when they were both there the cat was in his cage. Then we started leaving the cage door open when we were in the room so the cat had the choice of sitting in the back where the dog couldn't reach him or venturing out as far as he wanted to. it wasn't long befre we could return the cage and the two became the best of friends.
It might seem long winded but it works.
My sister in law used the same technique when she adopted a pup knowing that the dog she already had hated other dogs and it worked for her too. patience is the key.

Answer 3

If you get a kitten try and get them to know each other as soon as possible, if possible let the dog stay with you for a couple of days. If the cat is really young normally the dog wants to protect it rather than harm it, and the cat does not really know that it could harm the dog - which is an advantage.
Make sure that the dog has a really long, exhausting walk, make her run and play for an hour or longer, and bring her then home to the cat. Make sure cat already knows his / her surroundings and is comfortable in the flat. The dog will be very tired and at a low energy level - which will ease the introduction. Still you will have to be careful, make sure you can rescue the cat if necessary.
In the beginning you will have to either let the dog stay with you or make him see the cat very often so they get used to each other.

My ex had a big dog (briard) and he never got on with my adult cat. We had to keep them apart. However, I rescued a kitten and Thor, the big dog, took to him incredibly, he would follow him and help him and let him eat out of his bowl!! It was incredible to see - anything is possible!

Good luck.

Answer 4

Start by rubbing the cat with a clean towel and then let the dog sniff the towel. You should do the same thing for the cat (rub the dog with a towel for the cat to sniff). The dog needs to understand that the cat is yours and that he has no right to it. Let the dog see you holding the cat and make sure that the cat ALWAYS has a way to be away and get away from the dog. You might allow them to "encounter" each other through a closed door for a while before letting them be loose in your apartment together.

All of that being said, who keeps a lab with rabbits in the house? It's a hunting dog. The dog probably thought he was being a huge help to the family by bringing them that rabbit.

Answer 5

Cats are intelligent animals. You could have the dog on a leash, and let the cat roam around in the room. Another option is to have someone (your girlfriend?) hold the cat, while you hold the dog on leash. Be sure to encourage positive interactions (the dog sniffs the kitty, but doesn't nip at the kitty) and reinforce that behaviour. Be rewarding-use dog treats when Daisy isn't bothering the cat.

Answer 6

put them both in cages next to each other and leave them alone until the dog gets bored of barking make sure the cat can hide as it will be terrified*. and dont leave the door open on either of them and make sure they cant get out.

*you could have 2 cages stuck together with the doors open away from the cage with the dog in it cover it with a blanket and make it cosy.

Answer 7

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/H3J67

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.

Answer 8

You can keep a cat cage for the times that the dog has to be there . Keep it in a bedroom or other place the dog cant get.If the dog kills rabbits it will probably do the same to the cat.Sorry...Good Luck...

Answer 9

Put either dog or cat in crate and see if they get along if not just put them in separate rooms when they are both at your home.

Answer 10

I train dogs for owners who have difficult dogs, what you have to remember is that this is a working / gun dog breed