Dogs and cats can live together peacefully.
Bringing a rescue dog into a new home is sometimes very challenging, especially if you have cats as pets. Most dogs, including rescue dogs, can learn to get along with cats if properly introduced and trained. It will, however, take patience and time to get everyone to get along, and you may have to do some juggling to introduce your pets.
Throwing the dog in with the cats is a sure recipe for disaster, so plan to take several weeks to get each of them used to each other.
Instructions
1. Choose a safe room for your cats whichthat includes food and water dishes as well as a litter box and a scratcher and put them in there before the dog arrives.
2. Install a pet gate tall enough so a dog can't jump over at the entrance to the safe room.
3. Allow your new dog to check out the cats.
4. Distract the dog with food or toys if it shows aggressiveness to the cats or praise and treat if it shows mild interest or no interest.
5. Crate the dog after one week with a puzzle toy and food and allow the cats loose in the home. Praise the dog for being quiet, if the dog is; otherwise correct the dog and redirect his attention with food.
6. Return the cats to their room after a few hours and let the dog out.
7. Repeat putting the dog in the crate and allowing the cats to wander several times a day.
8. Put the dog on a leash after a week and let the cats out. Give your dog a puzzle toy filled with goodies to play with. Watch for any reaction on the part of the dog and correct any aggressive behavior toward the cats. Praise and treat good behavior.
9. Continue interaction time on a leash with the cats loose several times a day.
10. Remove the leash if the dog shows no aggression after a week. Offer the dog a puzzle toy filled with treats to keep the dog busy. Watch the interaction closely and give praise if the dog behaves properly. Prepare to intervene if the dog shows any inclination to chasing. Put him on a leash and continue to work with him until he doesn't react to the cats.
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