My dog and cats don't get along. How can I help them be friends?

Hello, sorry to hear about your pets. This is a complex situation that will likely require a long time and patience to resolve. This is also multifactorial and a few ground rules must be implemented before working on the long term management. First thing is, cats will be rulers and your dog will have to learn to respect Calvin's space and tolerance. From there on, your cat will have to get used to Calvin being around and learn to keep her distance from your dog. You must set expectations for yourself, as you may never be able to get them to interact in a social manner but you could realistically get them to be able to live in the same place. Specific recommendations on how to approach this will need to be made by a behaviorist whom has obtained important information about your household and lifestyle to then assess the best way to approach this situation. When modifying a behavior, there are multiple methods to achieve whats desired. You should plan to see a behaviorist to truly get a full plan for your pets, in the interim however, do not overwhelm then by having unlimited exposure to one another. You should keep them separate and interchange items in their separate rooms so that they become accustomed to their different scents. You should play and interact with each separately but wearing the same clothing so that they become used to that as well. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Cat-dog introduction can definitely be tricky particularly when the kitty is somewhat shy or aloof. Cats are usually pretty picky in terms of who they choose to like and dislike at first, so I would not be surprised if you see some swatting and hissing in the very beginning. The best thing you can do to up your odds of a pleasant coexistence if a very slow introduction under supervised settings. I would first have your dog and cat completely separate, but in adjacent rooms so they can hear and smell each other through the door. Once this has happened for a day or two, you can place the dog in a crate and allow the cat to mosy into the dog's area. This will allow you to gauge the dog's reaction as well as the cat's in a safe way. Any positive interaction between the two should be rewarded (both the cat and dog). Once you feel comfortable, you can begin to let the dog out but only on a leash. You need to be convinced that the dog is not going to try to harm Shadow in any way. The dog should be rewarded for any good behavior (in this case, even leaving Shadow alone or ignoring completely should be considered good). If Shadow tries to approach this is fine as long as you have a solid hold on your dog. If this goes well after several supervised sessions, you can try off-the-leash supervision. Keep at this, for a while until you feel completely comfortable that they aren't going to try and kill each other! Hopefully they can have a peaceful coexistence or even be friends if your lucky!

The key is with slow introductions. Adding in barriers or baby gates that your cat can get over but your dog can't can also make it easier for your cat to get away if they need. It is also a good idea to make sure your cat has access to their own access to food, water, litterboxes, and bedding/hiding places without your dog being able to harass them. Adding in a pheromone diffuser such as Comfort Zone in shared spaces can also help with stress. You also only want to let them interact when you are home to supervise as even the best behaved dog can still accidentally injure a smaller cat. Otherwise, giving them time to observe and interact, and separating them if they become too stressed can help during the adjustment period.

Hi there. This is a complex question that can't really be fully answered in forum like this, so I would recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer in your area who can help you in person. In general, you need to introduce them slowly (usually by having a separate "safe room" for the cat during the introduction process), and keep the dog on-leash whenever the cat is around at first. The dog should be rewarded with praise and treats for calm behavior around the cat. Over time, if all goes well, you can start to allow the dog off-leash for short periods around the cat, as long as she isn't showing any signs of aggression or intense interest. Be aware that some dogs with a strong predatory instinct may never be safe off-leash around cats, in spite of training. You can search for a veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org or a qualified trainer here: www.ccpdt.org

Yes, it will likely take time, considering the cat's routines have been shaken up by the new puppy! Expect a few weeks to even months before things return to "normal". That said, making sure your cats have a place where they can relax without the puppy present (high perches, closed off rooms, etc) and can get to their food, litter, etc without the puppy is best for helping them to settle in. Make sure yo reward your puppy (and cats) for calm behavior. If someone gets too worked up or excited, taking a break with everyone in separate rooms until calmed down, and then trying again after can help teach your puppy that they get to have fun when quiet and calm, but that fun stops when everyone is too excited. This article may also help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-introduce-a-dog-to-a-cat/

It definitely takes time. Until they are all comfortable with each other, I would recommend keeping them separated unless you are able to give them your undivided attention. Dolly may be fine with cats, but that doesn't mean that your cats are okay with her! Make sure to avoid feeding everyone together and keep toys or treats away during this time, as Dolly may be protective of these things if a cat comes up to investigate.

In addition to a gradual introduction or acclimation, consider using a pheromone product such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser. Either may decrease any anxiety or aggression. Correct any aggression or negative behavior immediately. Praise and reward good behavior. Be consistent and be patient.