Bringing a new dog into a home with existing cats can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and consistent effort to ensure a harmonious coexistence. This guide, drawing upon expert insights, outlines a structured approach to successfully integrate a dog with your feline companions, emphasizing canine pack behavior, controlled exposure, and clear leadership.
The success of introducing a dog to a cat hinges on several factors: the owners’ ability to be consistent in training, their willingness to make efforts for success, their commitment to establishing pack structure and obedience, and the individual temperaments of both the dog and the cat. It’s crucial to understand that cats can sometimes instigate problems with dogs, making it a not-always-one-sided issue. The average dog owner often underestimates the strength of a dog’s innate genetic pack drive. Over the years, numerous dogs have been successfully introduced to cats, but it’s essential to acknowledge that some dogs, due to their strong prey drive, require constant supervision and environmental control, such as using crates, leashes, or remote collars. The biggest contributors to cat-dog problems are often the owners themselves, particularly when they allow animals to “sort things out” without guidance, which is a recipe for disaster.
The First Step: Controlled and Safe Exposure
The initial phase of acclimating a dog to your cat involves providing controlled and safe exposure. For an extended period, the dog must be either in a dog crate or on a leash within the house. This process can take weeks, or often months, and rushing it is a common pitfall that leads to problems.
The use of a dog crate is highly recommended as it offers the safest method for controlling the environment. This allows you to focus on the cats while the dog is present. Before introducing the dog into the house, cats should be secured in a separate room. New dogs should always be brought into the house on a leash. This signals that entering the home is a controlled experience, not an opportunity for the dog to run around chaotically. Maintaining control over the animals and their environment is paramount to avoiding accidents.
Maintaining Control
When the cat is present, the dog should remain on a leash. This provides immediate control if the cat runs and the dog attempts to chase. The question of when a dog can be off-leash is answered by its ability to remain under control even when highly distracted by the cat. If you cannot recall your dog when it’s focused on the cat, it should remain leashed, crated, or wearing a remote collar. A test for this can involve placing the cat in a crate before the dog enters the room. With the dog on leash, the handler can drop the leash to allow it to drag. If the dog loses control, the leash can be quickly grabbed to regain command and, if necessary, lead the dog back outside.
In The Crate: Establishing Calmness
Once inside the crate, the dog is expected to remain calm and quiet. Any barking at the cats should be met with verbal scolding. If the barking persists, the crate can be covered with a sheet, or a spray of lemon water can be used. Bark collars are an option, though typically not used on puppies until they are at least 16 weeks old.
The dog should not be allowed out of its crate without a leash, especially when a cat is in the room. This freedom is only permitted after the dog has demonstrated at least one week of not barking at the cats. This doesn’t mean the dog is confined to the crate for days on end; they can have supervised leash time in the house. However, in the initial stages, cats should be kept in a separate, closed room when the dog is out.
For new adult dogs, establishing pack structure is a primary focus. It’s advisable to wait several weeks before allowing the dog any on-leash house time. This process, detailed in resources like “Establishing Pack Structure with the Family Dog,” should occur concurrently with teaching the dog that cats are now part of its family pack. Taking the time for this dual approach significantly reduces the likelihood of problems.
During the period an adult dog spends in its crate, it can also be acclimated to wearing a muzzle, preferably a wire basket type for less restriction. Muzzles are generally accepted more quickly and are less confining than plastic ones. Even less expensive plastic muzzles can be effective if fitted and used correctly. Utilizing marker training can aid in the process of getting the dog accustomed to the muzzle. This provides the dog with an additional focus besides the cats, making muzzle-wearing second nature after weeks of consistent use in the crate.
When the time comes to allow the dog loose in the same rooms as the cats, it should initially be done while the dog is still on leash. If this proceeds well, the dog can then be muzzled. Any sign of aggression from the adult dog towards the cat warrants a correction. The intensity of the correction should be tailored to the dog’s temperament, ranging from a simple “no” to a more significant correction with a prong collar. The correction must be impactful enough for the dog to remember and deter future aggressive behavior. If the dog repeatedly ignores warnings, it indicates a lack of established leadership, necessitating a return to pack structure and obedience training. Reinforcing your role as pack leader will help the dog understand that cats are not prey.
The Remote Collar: Graduating from the Muzzle
The muzzle can eventually be removed once you are confident in the dog’s behavior on leash around the cats. Patience is key, as this process can take months for adult dogs and cats. Over time, they should reach a point of mutual acceptance within the shared territory.
Many trainers prefer using a remote collar for “proofing” dogs around cats, viewing it as the safest and quickest method to discourage chasing behavior, often with lifelong effects when implemented correctly. Training with low-level stimulation is considered more humane than traditional choke or prong collars, offering off-leash control and the ability to manage unwanted behaviors.
If a dog continues to chase cats at this stage, a high-level stimulation correction can be administered the first time it occurs, teaching the dog that chasing cats is akin to touching a hot stove. Subsequent instances, even a mere glance at the cat, should be met with a verbal cue (“no”) and a low-level correction to reinforce the desired behavior before the dog’s drive escalates. It’s important to note that while many remote collar brands exist, not all are effective. Reputable brands like Dogtra are often recommended by experienced trainers due to their reliability and effectiveness.
Fostering Friendship Between Dogs and Cats
The ideal outcome is for dogs and cats to become friends. However, a fine line exists between allowing them to bond and ensuring a safe environment. Running indoors should never be permitted, even if it appears to be playful. A cat’s sudden movement can easily trigger a dog’s prey drive, leading to dangerous situations, as illustrated by incidents where dogs have attacked and killed cats they lived with. The lesson learned is that a dog’s behavior at home might differ significantly when outdoors. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of caution.
Some cats are more amenable to dogs than others. For instance, a kitten raised with an older, tolerant dog may develop a strong bond, viewing the dog as a companion and even a heat source. Over time, the dog may become accustomed to the cat’s presence, allowing it to sleep nearby or even share food. Conversely, some adult cats, particularly those with negative past experiences, may learn to tolerate dogs individually but will still exhibit caution, hissing or hiding when dogs approach too closely.
There are also cats that actively “torment” dogs, understanding precisely how to provoke them. These cats may tease dogs from a safe distance, knowing it agitates them. In such cases, owners should intervene by scolding the cat, demonstrating leadership to the dog and reinforcing that such behavior is not acceptable.
Cats and Puppies
When introducing puppies to homes with existing cats, the cat’s claws present an immediate concern for the young pup. Using the same controlled introduction steps as with adult dogs is crucial. This teaches the cat that the puppy is now a family member. For puppies with a high prey drive, using a puppy prong collar and a drag line indoors can be effective. Corrections should be firm but immediately followed by abundant affection to reassure the puppy of your continued bond.
Conclusion: Patience and Caution are Key
Achieving peaceful coexistence between dogs and cats requires patience and a slow, deliberate approach. It is essential to allow the integration process to unfold at its own pace, which can often be a lengthy journey spanning months. The most crucial advice is to prioritize safety, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and always err on the side of caution when managing the lives of your pets.
