Suggestions for Dog to Cat intros
The following protocol is for dogs that show little predatory behavior (for example, have never killed a small animal.)
The cats must, to the degree possible, be calm and not run. (Your dog will, of course, initially be on leash and Gentle Leader. Later he can trail the leash while wearing the Gentle Leader, then finally be off-leash)
The cats can be:
-
Temporarily crated during a controlled intro.
-
Spray a towel with Feliway, and place in the carrier 1/2 hour before the training session. It may be necessary to work with your cat on enjoying/tolerating the carrier before using it for a cat/dog intro.
-
Contained in an exercise pen with a top on it, and a kitty condo, so they are not too exposed, for a few hours at a time.
-
Taught (using clicker, treats and targeting) to wear a harness and leash to control the during intro.
-
See and read about Clicker Training for Cats
-
-
Given high-up spots where they can watch and adjust.
-
See Katwalks
-
-
Allowed to observe safely from the other side of a gate, hung so that cats can easily get over or under, and dogs cannot.
***************************************************************************
-
At night the dog can be crated in the bedroom while the cats are loose.
Rehearse your (clicker-trained) dog in basic obedience and focus exercises ("Watch Me", hand targeting, down stay, etc.) in the cat’s presence every day. Separate them when you are not working the dog, at first. Keep your dog on leash. Use a Gentle Leader. If you are unsure how much risk your dog poses, you can use a
Later, after all the critters have had enough calm, safe exposure to one another, the dog can be allowed closer contact, managed by using a Gentle Leader, www.gentleleader.com with a leash trailing, so that he remains calm, and you can immediately interrupt any chasing.
If necessary, also use a remote citronella collar on the dog to prevent/interrupt a chase.
Consider having a competent, gentle dog trainer or animal behaviorist help with the assessment and introduction. Visit the association of pet Dog trainers Trainer Search or the certification Council for pet Dog trainers or The Animal behavior Society.