How to introduce my cats to my dog
OH MY COD
So the dog I have is pretty old .maybe 7+ years .. he is a rescue my dad got when we were younger and he recently moved into an apartment so I agreed to take the dog until he got a house again. The dog is nice . I suspect he may have been abused as he has always been cowardly . He is a lab shepard mix. He is actually very very afraid of other animals . When I was younger we got a kitten and he feared it . He is still the same . I am wondering how can I introduce him so the cats wont hate me . And if theyll just come around when they realiaze he is more afraid of them .
Answer
Start in the biggest open area in your house. Have the dog on a leash, and a spray bottle or squirt gun as a last resort to discourage the cats. First bring the dog in alone. Let him walk around a bit and smell the cats. Pet him with a washcloth or something to get his scent on it, then take him out and bring the cats in. Let them walk around and sniff where the dogs been, and offer treats. Try putting the washcloth on the floor with treats on it for them to eat.
Next, shoo the cats out and bring the dog back. Let him sniff around again, and wait for him to calm down. Once he seems relaxed, let the cats back in. Stay calm yourself, and just watch them. There will probably be hissing, growling, and hair standing up all around. Let them approach each other if they want to, but dont force them. You dont need to intervene unless one of the animals gets cornered, or it looks like its turning into a REAL fight. (Youve probably seen your cats squabble enough to be able to tell when theyre fighting for dominance, but not really trying to hurt each other. It sounds like you already know the dog pretty well, too, so just watch his teeth.) You may have to do an intro like this several times. Keep in mind it could take months for your cats to accept that the dog isnt going away, right now youre just getting them to the point they wont hurt each other.
A few tips for these introductions:
- It would probably help if your Dad is there, especially the first time.
- Dont close the doors. If an animal wants to bolt, let it (even if this means following the dog with the leash).
- Dont give the dog a bone, or any other tasty chew-thing. A toy might be okay, if you want to distract him, but he might feel like he has to defend something food-like from the cats.
- If one or both of your cats responds well to catnip, get kitty good and stoned first.
Theres always the chance the cats will completely ignore the dog. Really, thats the best case scenario for a first-time. In my experience, the skittish one will spend a lot of the next several days hiding. Tough ones either attack the dog immediately, glare/growl/hiss until its satisfied the dog is submissive, or swat at it. Im not saying all cats fit into one of these categories, but those are the adult cats Ive done this with.
For the longer-term, make sure theres a dog-proof area of the house for the cats. This is a good place to keep the litter box, both for their comfort and so the dog doesnt eat anything from it. If you leave food out for the cats, keep it there, too. Likewise, if the dog doesnt have a kennel, make a bed for him somewhere den-like. (The cats will probably avoid it on their own, but if you have a male with a dominant personality, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesnt pee on it.)
If you feed the cats meals, instead of leaving dry food out for them to graze on, feed the dog at the same time. Ideally, do it at opposite ends of the same room, at least to start. If the dog finishes before the cats, and he probably will, take him out of the room or distract him so the cats dont feel like they need to protect their food. The cats probably wouldnt appreciate being removed, but watch them to make sure they dont steal the dogs food from him.
Have more than one water bowl. At least one should be somewhere only the cats can get to, and at least one in a dog-friendly area away from the food.
Just keep in mind that a little roughhousing and dominance-posturing is normal. By the sound of things, the cats are going to be on top, so just watch them over time to make sure they arent bullying the dog. If the cats are already friends with each other, they will probably eventually end up ignoring the dog as much as possible, and a timid dog would like that just fine. Still, there may be moments they get along, and those are supremely cute. (A cold night and a wood stove make for strange bedfellows... /nostalgia.)
I want to thank you, and everyone else who takes in adult animals when their owners move to smaller housing or assisted living. Ive known people who had to put down loving, healthy pets that had become part of the family, simply because they couldnt afford to stay in their old home, and its heartbreaking. Good luck!
Start in the biggest open area in your house. Have the dog on a leash, and a spray bottle or squirt gun as a last resort to discourage the cats. First bring the dog in alone. Let him walk around a bit and smell the cats. Pet him with a washcloth or something to get his scent on it, then take him out and bring the cats in. Let them walk around and sniff where the dogs been, and offer treats. Try putting the washcloth on the floor with treats on it for them to eat.
Next, shoo the cats out and bring the dog back. Let him sniff around again, and wait for him to calm down. Once he seems relaxed, let the cats back in. Stay calm yourself, and just watch them. There will probably be hissing, growling, and hair standing up all around. Let them approach each other if they want to, but dont force them. You dont need to intervene unless one of the animals gets cornered, or it looks like its turning into a REAL fight. (Youve probably seen your cats squabble enough to be able to tell when theyre fighting for dominance, but not really trying to hurt each other. It sounds like you already know the dog pretty well, too, so just watch his teeth.) You may have to do an intro like this several times. Keep in mind it could take months for your cats to accept that the dog isnt going away, right now youre just getting them to the point they wont hurt each other.
A few tips for these introductions:
- It would probably help if your Dad is there, especially the first time.
- Dont close the doors. If an animal wants to bolt, let it (even if this means following the dog with the leash).
- Dont give the dog a bone, or any other tasty chew-thing. A toy might be okay, if you want to distract him, but he might feel like he has to defend something food-like from the cats.
- If one or both of your cats responds well to catnip, get kitty good and stoned first.
Theres always the chance the cats will completely ignore the dog. Really, thats the best case scenario for a first-time. In my experience, the skittish one will spend a lot of the next several days hiding. Tough ones either attack the dog immediately, glare/growl/hiss until its satisfied the dog is submissive, or swat at it. Im not saying all cats fit into one of these categories, but those are the adult cats Ive done this with.
For the longer-term, make sure theres a dog-proof area of the house for the cats. This is a good place to keep the litter box, both for their comfort and so the dog doesnt eat anything from it. If you leave food out for the cats, keep it there, too. Likewise, if the dog doesnt have a kennel, make a bed for him somewhere den-like. (The cats will probably avoid it on their own, but if you have a male with a dominant personality, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesnt pee on it.)
If you feed the cats meals, instead of leaving dry food out for them to graze on, feed the dog at the same time. Ideally, do it at opposite ends of the same room, at least to start. If the dog finishes before the cats, and he probably will, take him out of the room or distract him so the cats dont feel like they need to protect their food. The cats probably wouldnt appreciate being removed, but watch them to make sure they dont steal the dogs food from him.
Have more than one water bowl. At least one should be somewhere only the cats can get to, and at least one in a dog-friendly area away from the food.
Just keep in mind that a little roughhousing and dominance-posturing is normal. By the sound of things, the cats are going to be on top, so just watch them over time to make sure they arent bullying the dog. If the cats are already friends with each other, they will probably eventually end up ignoring the dog as much as possible, and a timid dog would like that just fine. Still, there may be moments they get along, and those are supremely cute. (A cold night and a wood stove make for strange bedfellows... /nostalgia.)
I want to thank you, and everyone else who takes in adult animals when their owners move to smaller housing or assisted living. Ive known people who had to put down loving, healthy pets that had become part of the family, simply because they couldnt afford to stay in their old home, and its heartbreaking. Good luck!
Therapy Dog information?
does anyone know of any sites other than the TDI and Akron Childrens Doggie Brigade that i could do for my silver award? i am a cadette girl scout and we got a dog a few weeks ago. ive been wanting to do therapy dogs as my silver project since i was done w/ my bronze. i am only 13 so organizations that i could join would be appreciated. thanks!!!!!!!!!
ive already looked at the TDI. im just wondering if there are any others. thanks anyway!
Answer
The three big organizations are:
The Delta Society (http://www.deltasociety.org)
Therapy Dogs International (http://www.tdi-dog.org)
Therapy Dogs Incorporated (http://www.therapydogs.com)
Off the top of my head I dont recall the age limitations, but I do know that some organizations will permit two person teams when a minor wants to participate. It means youll have to convince a parent or other mentor to prepare and test with you, and accompany you on any visits.
Sometimes local human societies have their own therapy dog programs, and the same may be true of other dog organizations such as local kennel clubs or rescues. Your veterinarian or pet store owner may be resources in tracking down local therapy dog organizations.
Check with the facilities youd like to visit and ask what they require. Regardless of whether you get your dog certified with an organization youll still need their permission to enter their facilities. Some facilities have requirements in addition to what the therapy dog organizations require, some want you certified with a specific organization, and some have their own program entirely. So make sure you know exactly what they require before committing too much unnecessary time.
Good luck with your silver award. I think its a great project idea.
The three big organizations are:
The Delta Society (http://www.deltasociety.org)
Therapy Dogs International (http://www.tdi-dog.org)
Therapy Dogs Incorporated (http://www.therapydogs.com)
Off the top of my head I dont recall the age limitations, but I do know that some organizations will permit two person teams when a minor wants to participate. It means youll have to convince a parent or other mentor to prepare and test with you, and accompany you on any visits.
Sometimes local human societies have their own therapy dog programs, and the same may be true of other dog organizations such as local kennel clubs or rescues. Your veterinarian or pet store owner may be resources in tracking down local therapy dog organizations.
Check with the facilities youd like to visit and ask what they require. Regardless of whether you get your dog certified with an organization youll still need their permission to enter their facilities. Some facilities have requirements in addition to what the therapy dog organizations require, some want you certified with a specific organization, and some have their own program entirely. So make sure you know exactly what they require before committing too much unnecessary time.
Good luck with your silver award. I think its a great project idea.
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