Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Steph Worsley — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:23:55 GMT

hahahaha shell, rob will look so fectching with a pink lead!!!!!!

she looks uber cute and extremely cheeky!!!

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Emma Bartlett — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:15:01 GMT

Yes to training i took all mine to classes as adult rescues and 5 years later i'm still going! (because i like it......not because its taken five years to train the dogs)

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Kim Buckley — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:35:41 GMT

Aww she's cute! Scruffy terriers are my favourite!

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

shell30984 — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:12:30 GMT

LOL, Thanks Steph - She has a gorgeous pink lead and collar - so rob will enjoy walking her. she is more JRT size than yorkie....But thought we would start small....before i get my Bernese Mountain Dog haha. She is smaller than most of our cats though. :)

Thanks Guys - all that info is soooo helpful. I already have a feliway plugged in. I no that one of the cats will struggle with it more than the others, but she will soon come round.

Do you think Dog training would help? Or would she already be stuck in her ways?

We went to see her last night...She is a bit of a live wire...but shes a terrier, so did expect it...lol

Heres a pic.....

http://uploads-preloved.com/userphotos/10/1007/2370486-948m.jpg

The baby isnt mine :)

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Emma Bartlett — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:44:45 GMT

I did scent transfer to start the introduction of my adult rescue rotties to the cats, i have 3 dogs and 2 cats and absolute harmony. Gazza the giant cat is boss and dogs don't ask questions

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Nicola Smith — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:16:14 GMT

When I introduced my dog made sure cat had access to upstairs and had baby gate so he couldnt get upstairs. Also put everything up there incase she didnt want to come down - litter tray, food water etc. My cat is very bossy and was having none of it and came downstairs anyway and they are now the best of friends. I did also use a feliway, just make sure the dog isnt allowed to chase.

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Polly P — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:12:53 GMT

Ooh I will be following this thread with interest as I have four cats and they are all very used to cats, but have never really come across a dog- Other than a couple half heartedly chasing them where we used to live...

I babysat a dog for a day (a very good, non chasing dog) and they all left home until she went!

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Steph Worsley — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:22:21 GMT

LOL I can see you 2 with a yorkie cross!!!!!! sorry no advice just fancied a laugh!!!

Re: Introducing a New dog to my Cats :) Easy or Not?

Doolally — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:36:00 GMT

Aww piccies needed :D

It's good that she's used to cats as that will help you massively.

Be prepared for your cats to be completely put out to start off with. Make sure the cats have their own space - when I first got my dog he wasn't allowed upstairs by using baby gates so the cat knew that was her place.

Initially, have the dog on the lead and the cats loose, let the cats do what they like and reward the dog for ignoring them. The cats need to be able to get up high to feel safe so clear the backs of sofas etc.

If she doesn't know it already you should teach the dog 'leave' as especially being a terrier if they run she won't be able to help herself, a perfectly timed 'leave' if she goes to chase and then a treat for listening to you should help her realise that cats aren't for chasing. It might be an idea to keep a house-lead on her for the first few weeks so you can grab her quickly if needed.

Feliway for the cats is a good idea too!! Good luck, it'll take a few weeks for everyone to establish the ground rules, some cats come round really quickly to having a dog around but others take a lot longer

Good luck! My JRT got me up last night because the cat was asleep on the sofa and that was where HE wanted to sleep!!!