How to present a puppy to your cat, by professional dog fitness instructor Ben Randall

Presenting a dog to a cat can be stressful, however get it ideal and the 2 of them can get along notoriously. Ben Randall discusses how.

If you’re a cat owner who’s simply chosen to include a puppy to your household, you may be anxious– and appropriately so. Get it incorrect and there is the capacity for your brand-new canine good friend to wind up afraid of his feline equivalents for life.

However in a lot of situations, there’s no factor felines and pets should not get along completely well, especially if they’re presented to each other while the dog is still a puppy. Today’s reader has actually done precisely the ideal thing: considered it beforehand to get some help.

‘ We have actually had a cat for a number of years, and he’s a beautiful, friendly animal,’ [writes JS from Surrey], ‘and now we’re getting a labrador puppy, and pals have actually cautioned us that we might be in for some difficulty. We’re now actually anxious that the 2 might not get on; how can we ensure they do?’

We’ll begin with the bright side: the cat will be great. In my experience, they’re resistant, assertive and hold their ground well, and are quite imperturbable. I’ll always remember going to one customer’s house to help them handle a dog-cat relationship that wasn’t working out, just to discover the cat was calmly remaining of reach of the crazy terrier, making the odd, bored swipe of a paw amidst the turmoil and barking. It resembled viewing a set of brother or sisters wind each other up: they simply appear to understand precisely what buttons to press. And it’s likewise worth discussing that there are some felines who are simply a bit on the wild side– their owners understand who they are– and who most likely will not ever ended up being friendly towards a dog.

However for a lot of nice-natured, chilled-out felines, there is no factor for them not to get on completely well with your puppy– if not remarkably. Here’s how to set about it.

How to present a brand-new puppy to your cat

1. Do not begin the minute your puppy gets house

Do not stress over presenting the cat initially– your brand-new puppy will be overwhelmed with brand-new things currently, so present the environment initially, and start with training essentials in the very first week, such as the leave command and how to get a dog to sit. You desire your puppy to be delighted and settled prior to you present another brand-new component.

Whatever you do, do not bring the 2 animals within vision of each other prior to they get a possibility to fulfill appropriately. This is necessary– so essential that it’s our next action.

2. DON’T keep the animals apart while letting them see each other from afar

Whenever a dog sees a cat however can’t come up to it, it’ll end up being disappointed and distressed– and it’s that aggravation which can cause issues down the line.

This actually is the primary error I see with owners who have a cat and a dog, and a number of them keep their 2 animals apart as a matter of course. If the dog just ever sees the cat and vice versa every so typically, this produces a big desire from the dog. If it’s being in its cage while the cat walks as if it owns the location, just to be gotten simply as the cage is opened; or if the dog is within and able to see the cat roaming around in the outdoors, the aggravation will simply construct and construct. I have actually understood of owners who have actually permitted this stress to develop for weeks– interest relies on stress and anxiety, and after that the one time a door is exposed, hell can break out! That normally does not work out for the dog, as felines tend to be quicker, smarter and more smart when things fail– I have actually understood really couple of pets who can overcome a cat in a battle.

3. Make it a calm, mild minute, and present your puppy to the cat

The minute your puppy sees the cat it’ll be extremely left, and will see it as another puppy to have fun with. It’ll add to it and be all set to play– and if the cat gets frightened out and snaps, it might make the dog afraid of felines for the rest of its life.

So you require to be entirely in control of the circumstance. Hold the puppy, stroke it, speak calmly to it, and after that bring the cat in to come up, get close, have a smell and a cuddle so that they get utilized to each other carefully and calmly with you right there.

Keep it calm, keep it unwinded, and your puppy and cat can hit it off.

3. When the puppy and cat are presented, carefully let them learn more about each other

Generally, once the puppy has actually been touched and smelled by the cat, it’ll be a little cautious however curious. Gradually launch the puppy, still keeping the calm rubbing and talking, and let the 2 animals are familiar with each other. Keep it calm and cooled for them both, and this may simply be the start of a lovely relationship.

And even if not, they’ll still have the ability to rub along together rather effectively for several years.

For more comprehensive suggestions about Ben Randall’s favorable, reward-based and tested BG training techniques, one-to-one training sessions, domestic training or first-class dog-boarding at his BGHQ in Herefordshire, telephone 01531 670960 or check out www.ledburylodgekennels.co.uk. For a complimentary seven-day trial of the Gundog app, which costs ₤ 24.99 a month or ₤ 249.99 a year, see www.gundog.app/trial.

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