| The same system can be used with cats and | | | | following considerations in mind: |
| dogs, but after a week or so of eating at | | | | 1) The cat must have escape routes and |
| opposite sides of the door, a face to face | | | | sanctuaries in the house available at all times. |
| meeting, with the dog on a lead, in the same | | | | Faced with a bothersome dog, a cat's first |
| room, can take place. Make sure the dog obeys | | | | reaction is to flee and hide rather than make a |
| its commands to 'Sit', 'Stay', etc., and have the | | | | fight of it. |
| two animals at first on opposite sides of the | | | | 2) When you are away from home during the |
| room with the cat held on somebody's lap. Titbits | | | | introductory period, you should always keep the |
| should be proffered all round. This scenario should | | | | two animals separate. |
| be repeated many times until there is no sign of | | | | 3) Always feed the cat on a shelf or a working |
| aggression or fear from either party, the cat in | | | | surface - somewhere high that the dog cannot |
| particular not struggling to get away. Then the | | | | reach. As ever, a high vantage point will give the |
| two animals can slowly and progressively over a | | | | cat a feeling of security and contentment. |
| number of meetings be brought closer to one | | | | 4) Place the cat's litter tray somewhere where it |
| another. | | | | can gain access, but the dog cannot. Keep the cat |
| The dog should be praised and rewarded for | | | | flap locked until peace and amity reign in order to |
| good, obedient behaviour in the presence of the | | | | deter the cat from leaving home for good. |
| cat, never punished, so that it does not come to | | | | 5) Feed the dog separately and alone; dog food is |
| regard the cat as being the cause of any | | | | not suitable for cats and a cat trying to take a |
| punishment. That could lead to the dog 'taking it | | | | mouthful from the dog's bowl could cause the dog |
| out' on the cat when it got the chance. | | | | to react tetchily. |
| The next stage is for you to arrange scenarios | | | | 6) Until the dog is totally unconcerned by the |
| where the dog and cat meet in the same room | | | | presence of the cat, you should leave its lead |
| with the door closed. Don't rush bringing the two | | | | attached to its collar, even in the house, just in |
| together; let them take their time. The dog must | | | | case it decides to make a dash for Puss and you |
| be watched carefully and on its best behaviour, | | | | have to grab it. |
| calm and obedient, with no excited prancing about | | | | 7) It is sometimes worthwhile giving the cat and |
| or barking. You will need patience as the scenario | | | | the dog each its own territory; for example, the |
| will have to be repeated perhaps many times, but | | | | cat having upstairs and the dog downstairs. There |
| eventually the two pets will metaphorically shake | | | | should be no trespassing, to begin with at least. |
| hands, or paws, and become friends. | | | | 8) Don't rush things. Remember that the |
| Additional considerations | | | | introduction period between the two species can |
| When introducing a cat into a household in which a | | | | be as long as three months or even longer. |
| dog is already resident, you should bear the | | | | |