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