How To Introduce A Kitten To A Dog Who Hates Cats
Put your dog on a short leash or in his crate.
How to introduce a kitten to a dog who hates cats. Use a head collar halter on your dog if there is a chance that you may not be in complete control of the situation. Click a training clicker and give your dog a treat. If you want to do it yourself however start by establishing how close the cat can get to the dog without provoking an aggressive reaction. It may seem counterintuitive but the best way to start introductions is by keeping your pets apart.
Before starting the introduction let your new family member settle in by confining him or her to an enclosed area of the house for a few days. Put your cat in her carrier if she s a scaredy cat by nature. Wait a while and let your cat approach the dog on its own. If the cat doesn t seem interested in engaging with the dog right away don t force it.
All that you would be doing is setting your cat up to being traumatized and more than likel. Give your cat a way to escape something high to jump on and keep the dog at a distance. How do i introduce a cat to a dog that hates cats. Keep the dog on a leash and allow the cat to roam around and venture as close to the dog as he or she wishes.
When you are ready to introduce your cat to your dog make the initial meeting a quick one approximately ten minutes. Command the dog to stay still and see the cats without physical contact and if ignore you then you can walk the dog out. When it s time for your kitten and dog to meet for the first time keep your cat in their box and put your dog on a leash. You know that the dog hates cats why you think the dog would be any different with your cat.
Put the dog on leash while the kitten in crate this is important to introduce the pets without physical contact for the first time. Make your dog sit and be prepared to take him or her out of the room if they get too excited. Therefore having them to get used to cat s smell is an imperative on your road to the successfully introducing a cat to an aggressive dog. Be armed with lots of treats for good behavior.
This way they can see each other without any physical contact taking place. Repeat several times each day for a week. Start exposure through a single closed solid door. Section off your home into a cat area and a dog area so each pet has a place of their own.
Begin by completely separating the cat and dog. Then add one foot to that distance and put the cat that distance away. You can bring the dog still on leash closer to the crate where the kitten is. Don t force the cat to interact with the dog no matter how long it takes.
The dog and cat won t be able to see each other but they will be able to hear and smell each other. Put him in a relaxed mood.