Dogs and cats get used to each other

Wf dogs and cats are to live together, it is important to provide the animals with a quiet atmosphere from the very beginning. Restlessness and noise only aggravate the already tense situation. .

It is best to have some free days to offer the animals the security and closeness they feel with their master or mistress. Last but not least, you also have the opportunity to coordinate the habituation.

You should be aware that it can be time-consuming and exhausting to get your animals used to each other, because after all it is not you but the animals themselves who decide how long the habituation phase will last. However, you should not be discouraged by setbacks, which can occur from time to time. The habituation succeeds sooner or later with almost all dogs and cats and with a little patience and empathy it is successful even with the most disobedient and unruly pets.

However, before you even attempt to get your animals used to each other, you should make sure that your dog has a certain basic obedience. After all, dogs are descended from wolves and the hunting instinct is therefore still very pronounced in many dogs. That dogs kill cats again and again is no news. That this happens in the own household and under supervision of the mistress/ master, however, is rarer, but also not impossible. So be clear about the basic behavior of your dog towards other and smaller pets.
However, you should not underestimate your own cat either. The fact that it cannot put a dog in serious danger does not mean that it cannot nevertheless act as an aggressor. Although in the vast majority of cases aggressive behavior will be limited to a "leave-me-alone" response, there are also circumstances in which dogs are completely intimidated and defenseless against the cats' scratching and biting attacks.

Dog and cat: the interplay of curiosity and fear

Both animals are always driven at the beginning by the feelings of fear and simultaneous curiosity when getting to know each other. It is here above all the smell, which is strange and unfamiliar for the other animal. How the animals react to each other depends entirely on their character. From skepticism, curiosity, interest, fear, joy and rejection all conceivable emotions occur. During the process of getting used to each other, it is your task to moderate the process of getting to know each other. Accompany the mutual sniffing and observation with gentle petting and a reassuring and motivating voice to indicate to both animals that all is well. Both animals may think that a stranger has broken into their own territory, but both animals should realize that the other animal is a member of their own family. If aggression should occur unexpectedly nevertheless, it is your task to keep it in check and to stop scratching or biting attempts and to reprimand accordingly.

Basic rule: Never hunt!

Make sure the dog can never chase the cat with a strong leash and a secure chest harness. Keep in mind that regular chest harnesses are not escape-proof. Skilled dogs slip out of these faster than they can look! This is where a collar and second leash can help.
If the dog chases a running away cat, this promotes his play or hunting instinct, which comes into play far too seldom, especially with many unused dogs in the city. Avoid this at all costs, because once the dog has discovered this game for itself, it will want to play it again and again. On the other hand, the cat is namely justified in its fear "dogs are cat eaters" and will flee from the dog again and again. Once the dog has chased the cat, the habituation process is no longer at zero, but at minus twenty, because the dog wants to act out a drive and the cat may be traumatized.

There are the following situations

1 - A dog comes to a house with cats

Since the cat considers the house as your territory, the dog invades the cat's territory. Please take into account "the elder rights" of the cat, be sure to leash the dog. Do not let him run free in the apartment when cats are in the room. He can do this when the cat is in another room.
Make sure all cats have a retreat that is completely safe for you (scratching post, cat flap to outside, closet, or other place known to the cat and safe.
Make sure that the dog has had an extensive walk beforehand so that he does not feel any additional urge to move. It is best if you play stick or frisbee with your dog or if he can let off steam with other dogs, in order to also satisfy the dog's hunting/playing instinct and keep him busy.

1.1 The cat does not know dogs:

Here the fear prevails. If the cat does not know dogs, you should be especially careful and make sure that the dog does not chase the cat at all. The natural fear of the cat is otherwise confirmed and can therefore turn into a real trauma. With the consequence that she runs away every time and from every dog.

1.2 The cat already knows dogs

If cats have had good experiences with dogs, curiosity rather than fear prevails. Nevertheless, be careful that the dog does not approach the cat too quickly and uncontrollably. There are very self-confident cats, which first punchily gain respect before the joint sniffing begins. Again, do not overlook the protection of the dog.

The first day

It is best to work in pairs. Ensure silence, no radio or television should be on and no playing children should be present. Have treats ready for both animals.
Leash your dog. Hold him firmly back or tie him up somewhere. Then let the cat into the room. The cat decides how much distance it needs to get to know the new roommate, it sees and smells very well, even from a distance, and does not need to be forced unnecessarily close to the dog. That's all it needs to be for now.
Pet and reassure both animals (preferably in pairs). Give both animals protection and security. Speak slowly and quietly. If the dog wants to run wildly towards the cat and he tugs at the leash, do not make the mistake of praising him! Distract him. Sit in front of him and speak to him in a soothing tone.

The next few days: practice, practice, practice!

Practice getting to know each other daily and carefully. Break off if either is too wild or too scared.
Do not tug on the leash and under no circumstances shout "fie" or "stop that"; this could give the animals the impression that this is a negative stress situation that must be vigorously countered. Instead, be the confident and calm point amidst the flurry of emotions. By feeding treats, both animals associate the situation with something positive.
If the dog approaches the cat too aggressively, distract him. If this does not work, gently cover his eyes, block his view, calmly talk to him, pet him and reward him.
Depending on the reaction of the animals, this can be repeated one to three times a day.
However, do not overtax the animals. Go slowly rather than too quickly, as stress is not conducive to the situation. Do not force anything, because the decision when and whether they feel comfortable, your animals decide themselves.

When I accustomed my hunting dog to my cat for 3 months, he was tied up in the living room every evening as long as she joined the joint training. Otherwise he would not have given rest, he was looking at the cat, trembling all over his body and totally fixated on her. The cat, in turn, was unsettled by his behavior and usually left the room again after a few minutes.

Some important rules for living together

- The respective food bowls must be off-limits to the other, ideally out of reach. It is best to feed the animals in separate rooms or at separate times and not in each other's field of vision.

Give the animals time, do not ask too much. Usually one is the smarter and understands what is being asked. In our case it was the cat. She went up to the dog on her own and smelled him. That was when the ice was broken.
Eventually, the animals will come closer by themselves. Tie up the dog if necessary, but the cat is allowed to move around in its territory. The dog must also be able to accept and admit this later.

How long do I have to practice this?

This training lasted 3 months for me, as I said. Every evening. At the beginning 5 minutes, then 10 min, sometime 1 hour. Mostly the cat is out when it had enough, sometimes the dog was also "overwhelmed", then I let the cat out.
Of course, there are cases that need much less time, but as a rule, you should plan for several months at least. Cats get used to changes very slowly, it is known that many cats do not cope with a move at all and return to the old place of residence. Until a cat sees a dog as completely normal, can gladly take half a year.

It is important to always be patient. Setbacks are normal, the animals still get used to each other. At some point you feel when you can dare to leash the dog or not to go between them.

Don't take small mock attacks from both sides so seriously, but always communicate clearly: "No, there's no fighting here!" My dog must have had to listen to that 500 times. "The cat is not chased". He understood what was being asked of him. But it can take time for an animal to get its hunting instinct under control. This is also where working with an experienced animal communicator can help. One session may already be enough to clarify behaviors and coordinate reactions.

Also taboo for the dog outside: chasing other cats

If the dog also wants to chase cats outside, a clear ban must also be issued. Show clear body language, radiate calm and of course reward when the dog obeys. Do not let him chase under any circumstances. This should apply in principle, regardless of whether your dog wants to chase mice, rabbits, sheep, etc..
Our dog initially got his stare back outside at every strange cat and wanted to chase off. After 6 months and regular practice, every cat leaves him cold. He risks one or two more looks, then looks at me and that's it. Every dog can understand that if you are consistent. Of course, this also includes praising him when he reacts correctly.

The animals should only be left alone when they really get along and are calm with each other. As the owner, you can feel when the animal is unsure or not. It is often advised to exchange the blankets of the animals to get used to the smell of the other animal.
With us, this has worked only conditionally. Initially, the kitty found the dog smell only "Bäh" and has partout not laid on his blanket in her place. Better to let the animals smell directly. The dog can be tied up or wear a muzzle (to be on the safe side).

In between, besides all the practicing, you should also be normal, so that the animals realize that it is normal to be together. I cooked, drank, read the newspaper, watered flowers, yawned (appeasement ritual), stretched out, talked to my boyfriend, so I didn't always give all my attention to the animals.

The most important thing is and remains: lots and lots of patience!!!
This is also true when a cat joins a cat. While dogs generally get used to the "newcomer" in the pack within 3-4 weeks, it can take cats half a year or more before they accept their own addition to the family. So at least the same time is needed to get used to the dog.

Attention!!! Cats can become unclean out of protest and this is a VERY unpleasant matter in some circumstances. It helps to set up many litter boxes as well as protect popular marking spots with crackling plastic or aluminum foil. You may want to test your cat before putting a new "friend" in front of her.

And one more thing: Don't be overly anxious, animals sense that and the fear and tension is transmitted. Sometimes we trust our four-legged friends less than they can or know on their own.

We wish you much success and staying power in getting your pets used to it!

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT ANSWER INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS ON THIS TOPIC DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS.
CONTACT YOUR ANIMAL SHELTER, THE BREEDER OR AN EXPERIENCED DOG TRAINER. WITH PATIENCE AND TIME, YOU TOO CAN GET DOGS AND CATS USED TO EACH OTHER.
AND PLEASE CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND CAN AFFORD IT!

In memoriam to Leon - the most wonderful dog and companion with whom I was allowed to spend a much too short but wonderful time together. And who came to us as a cat hunter and taught us that with mindfulness and trust so much is possible.

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