Training Cats And Dogs To Live Together

By Patricia Ramsey


Pet owners who already have cats are sometimes wishing that they can also keep a pet dog in the household. Some are scared to do this as dogs and cats are branded as "fierce enemies". The key for you to get the feline and canine like each other is to do the right introduction and train them to live together without harming each other. This could be a stressful event for an existing pet but taking the exact measures to reduce these anxieties and being upset can create a harmonious relationship between the two of them.

Preparing for the Meet Up

There are important things that you have to do and remember before trying to bring a new pet home. This will save the cat, the dog or you and other members of the house from getting harmed if an unexpected brawl had occurred. It is best to introduce the kitty and the pooch to each other when both are still young. This is when they are trying to familiarize themselves of their surroundings. If both or one of them is an adult, it can be a real challenge but you can overcome it if you prepared well.

The older pet or the existing one is the king or queen of the kingdom. The new pet that you will introduce will be seen as an intruder or an unwelcome guest. Cats have the normal behavior to protest by marking their territory whenever there is a threat to their status while dogs have the instinct to chase small things that move and run especially cats. Another important fact to remember is that, dogs are easier to train and cats are rare to follow commands. With this, you will have to focus on training your dog more to leave something alone, sit and stay when told. If the newcomer is a dog, do not let him roam around the house as the adult cat will see him as a threat. The same goes for a new kitty if you are uncertain that your dog will not harm the cat if it was spotted around the house. Space, place to sleep, food and your attention is something that both need and will fight for.

The Introduction

You will have to let the new pooch or kitty to adjust to the surroundings before the meet up. A change of environment must be stressful enough and forcing them to meet the boss of the house can scare them off. Bring the new member of the family in a separate room that is not being seen by the other. Keep him there for days or a week before the meeting or visit. The introduction should go on for days as you can't expect them to be comfortable or like each other at first visit. Be there to supervise every move that the two are making.

On the day of the first encounter, monitor both of their behaviors. Tell the dog to stop when he starts to attack. Show acts of reassurance that each other's existence is just fine and will serve no threat to the other. Provide rewards to give them the impression that meeting or being with each other is a pleasant thing to happen. Separate and let them meet again after some time until they get used to each other. If one of them started to become unfriendly, be ready to quickly separate them from the other. Don't punish one for the sake of rescuing the other. This would make the punished pet think that the presence of the intruder is bad for him.




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