How Do I Do A Dog-Cat Introduction?
A lot of households dream of having both a canine and a feline member of the family. Many dogs share this sentiment; for a dog, an interaction with a cat may provide a great deal of amusement. It’s common for cats to have a negative reaction to the concept, particularly older cats that have been the dominant species in the household for years.
If you want your cat and dog to become best friends, you should buy them both while they are still relatively young so that they may form a strong attachment. If it is not possible, you should aim for a peaceful home rather than a tight relationship.
Certain canines are not suitable for households that also have cats. They are far too scavenging. Some cats may never be able to become used to the presence of a dog, particularly timid or reclusive cats or cats who have previously been abused by a dog.
The owner, as well as the amount of time and effort the owner is prepared to put in, will determine whether or not a dog and cat are successfully introduced to one another. In practice, you give the cat the upper hand in the majority of the exchanges, and you relegate the dog to the role of observer.
TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION
When you have a new dog, you have the chance to show him or her that you are the most knowledgeable person in the world about everything, even feline companions. You may do this by exerting authority over the surroundings of the dog from the minute you welcome him or her into your house.
To begin, construct a tie-down by securing a short, indestructible leash to a stationary item using a knot. It would be ideal to use a wall, but a really large and hefty piece of furniture may also work. Acclimate the dog to the surroundings before the two animals ever encounter one other here. There, you should provide him with tasty snacks, bones, or chewies, and you should also build a comfortable bed for him.
After the dog has decided that the tie-down is satisfactory, bring the cat inside while the dog is not there (its scent will be). Permit the cat to investigate and investigate the region that the dog has been in. Offer the cat a perch from which it may comfortably observe the area occupied by the dog that is out of the dog’s reach. Offer the cat some goodies, some catnip, or another toy to play with in the vicinity. It’s possible that you’ll wish to feed the cat there for a few days or perhaps a few weeks. It is highly recommended that you adapt the two animals alone for at least a few days before introducing them to each other.
COUNTER-CONDITION
When you see that the cat and the dog appear to be at ease in their respective locations, secure the dog in place with a leash and provide it with something tasty to gnaw on. The next step is to bring the cat inside and put it on the kitty’s perch. It’s not a good idea to hold him since he could think he’s being confined and attempting to get away, which might endanger both himself and you while also getting the dog excited. The first time, you should just leave the door open so that the person may leave if they want to (it’s likely that they will). Some dogs react positively if, as soon as they start to bark, you tell them to “calm” and then spritz certain water in their face. This is because some dogs are afraid of water. Some people couldn’t care less about it.
The process of counter-conditioning involves associating something pleasurable with something that is unpleasant. This is an essential part of the process. Therefore, you may choose to ignore either of the parties until they are physically present in the same room with one another, at which point you might lavish a great deal of attention on either of the parties. Alternately, you might only feed them when they are able to see each other (make sure the cat is very safe, and the dog is tied down). Also, avoid feeding them while they are separated from one another. You might also utilize toys or anything else that would pique their attention.
It’s common for cats and dogs to get along well, provided the cat doesn’t make any sudden moves. If he flees, the dog will pursue after him without fail. At least for the first few weeks, you should make every effort to steer clear of situations like that one. Please do not hesitate to contact the behaviorist at your local animal shelter for assistance if you have been working on this issue for a time without any progress.
