I'd love some advice on socializing my 6-month old puppy with the new cat my roommate plans to adopt in about two weeks. Here are some details:
My dog is a 6-month old mutt (Jack Russell/Silky Terrier cross) who is pretty sociable but has never met any cats. My roommate will be adopting from a shelter and is looking for a 1-2 year-old cat who has been around dogs before.
I'm looking for advice on how to prep my dog in the next two weeks, how we should conduct the 'big introduction,' and any tips for living with the two of them in the future.
I know you can't force dogs and cats to be best friends, but I certainly don't want either one to be scared of the other!!
-Lauren
P.S. Here's a picture of my little guy in a Santa hat :-)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2085134943_f3b72c9690.jpg
2007-12-20 03:31:07 · 4 answers · asked by Lauren M 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The best way to do this is to take your pup to a place that has cats that are used to having dogs around and are walkng freely. Keep your pup on a leash and bring a toy to keep his interest not completely on the cats. Let him walk around and just sniff the air and if a cat happens to approach him see what he does and reward the good behavior he shows....sniffing licking etc...and redirect the bad behavior with the toy. If that is not a possiblity then wait until your roommate gets the cat and introduce them slowly through a baby gate and gradually with your pup on his leash and maybe the cat being on a leash so you can control the animals if things get ugly. Always reward good behaviors. Good luck:>)
2007-12-20 03:43:16 · answer #1 · answered by sun_and_moon_1973 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Terriers tend to be hunters so if the cat runs he will consider it prey. If possible bring cat smells into the home now, from blankets from the shelter. (take a towel to the shelter for their cats and pick it up later and put it in his bed or under his food bowel. Once he gets used to cat smell (even though it is not your cat) he will be more tolerant later.
If possible introduce them in a space other than home. Coming home is easier if they have met where he is not the owner.
If they are having problems then put the cat in a crate in the middle of the action so the dog can see it and sniff it and can't get it. But remember terriers are trained to dig and hunt out prey underground. Eventually you can introduce them without the cage.
GOOD LUCK. I once had a Siamese and a Great Dane and feared them getting together and kept them a room apart.One day the door popped open and in stalks the Siamese and confronts the Dane....we all froze waiting for the cat fight. She took one look at his size and walked off. I guess she figured he was too big to take down. Whew!!!!
2007-12-20 03:49:26 · answer #2 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
where you live in apts. or house leave doors open cats and dogs are usually easy to get along either one of them will teach the other there limits and there respect they will and up playing together do not adopt a cat that is to old for your dog
2007-12-20 03:43:14 · answer #3 · answered by ericklemus@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might be best if you have him in a crate or carrier to let him and the cat get used to eachother for a couple hours then once they know what eachother are let him out so they can get more acuanted (how ever you spell that word) and btw he is so adorable
2007-12-20 04:06:05 · answer #4 · answered by LemonDrop 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋