Advice please: how to introduce a dog to cats

pink fairy · 05-09-2006, 11:22

Hi

I just rescued a dog he 3 yr old. He as never been with cats and his previous owner does not no how he will react. When we see them in street it pulls towards them and starts singing. My mum has 3 cats that live with a dog so there dog freindly and hoping to go and see mum soon with dog but need sort cat thing out as dont want him to upset mum cats. Any ideas please ?

Thank you

Strix · 05-09-2006, 11:24

We take our crate with us when our dog visits a cat house - well we did, until Mr Strix's mum got a stair gate

The cat can fit through the gate but the dog can't, so pussy just hides upstairs whilst we're there now

I think Classic Rock is still selling a crate if you're looking

D&C Plumbing · 05-09-2006, 11:52

You'll Never know untill your dog meets a cat face to face. Chances are if your dog isn't used to cats it probably just wants to have a sniff to find out what it is.

I have freinds who have two cats and introduced a staffordshire bull terrier to the household. My freinds found that it was the cats that actually showed the dog who was boss.

If i were you i would take the dog to your mums on a lead and try it out. You should be able to tell the difference between an agressive stance and an inocent inquizitive sniff.

Best of luck

Darren...

Moonbird · 05-09-2006, 13:32

Mmmm i think if your dog starts "singing" when he sees a cat he is showing a very strong instinct to chase, what kind of dog is he? personaly i would be very carefull with your moms or any other cats, some dogs can get used to them and be ok, but others never ever will, i would err on the side of saftey for the cats sake untill you are very very sure, a saftey gate is a good idea

beansfeast · 05-09-2006, 14:21

We got a dog from the RSPCA just under a year ago and the first thing she did was chase 1 of our 2 cats up the patio door! (Cat thought it was open and we didn't realise she was in the room at the time...)
The dog was always straining to get to them, not to harm them but for a big sniff and find out what they were! Of course the cats weren't happy with this but we started with a dog cage, then moved on to baby gates on the doorways and eventually the stairs. Using a loud rattle tin every time the dog showed an interest in the cats and giving her lots of treats when she was ignoring them.

Baby gates are no longer needed and now they are happy to share a sofa together and pretty much ignore each other around the house, occassionally doing nose to nose sniffing! The cats seem to like brushing against her too, the dog knows she's supposed to ignore them and it's so funny watching her trying not to look at the cats whilst they are doing this!!

The strange thing is, my dog still chases other cats out of our garden at breakneck speed but as soon as she sees it is 1 of our 2 cats she just leaves them alone!

pink fairy · 05-09-2006, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonbird

Mmmm i think if your dog starts "singing" when he sees a cat he is showing a very strong instinct to chase, what kind of dog is he? personaly i would be very carefull with your moms or any other cats, some dogs can get used to them and be ok, but others never ever will, i would err on the side of saftey for the cats sake untill you are very very sure, a saftey gate is a good idea

Staffy x whippet