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This is a very good question and a pleasant change of pace. Most of the time people call or write to me after they have already upset their cat by bringing a dog into the house. By the time I speak with them, their cat is either hiding under the bed or eliminating outside the litter box, and the owners are desperate. Remember, it's hard to turn back the clock and start over. Right now you have the perfect opportunity to set your cat and new dog up for a successful life together by doing things right from the beginning.

As far as picking the right dog, I suggest you visit your local shelter, where there are plenty of nice adult dogs to choose from. My own dog came from a shelter, and he is the love of my life and my cat's best friend. Talk to the shelter staff about your situation, and try to find a dog that has lived with cats before. Be aware that this does not guarantee that everything will go smoothly in your home. A dog that once lived with a bold, dog-friendly cat may react very differently when confronted with a fearful cat that runs from him.

The prey drive is more easily triggered in some dogs. Certain breed groups, such as the terriers and the hounds, that have been bred for hunting may have more or a propensity for chasing small animals. But most dogs, even those with high prey drives, can learn that chasing their feline housemate is unacceptable. Laying the foundation for a peaceful coexistence between dog and cat may be easier than you think.

First prepare a safe room for your cat, complete with a litter box, food, water, some toys, and a dog-proof baby gate across the doorway. Set up the safe room a few weeks before you bring your new dog home so that your cat becomes comfortable going in and out by jumping over the baby gate. Your cat will quickly learn that she can get away from the dog and feel safe and secure in her room.

The most critical day will be the day you bring the new dog home. If you allow the dog to run right into the house and chase your cat, you will have to work very hard to reverse the negative results. An event such as this will instill fear in the cat and she may never trust him. Also, your new dog will have learned that chasing the cat is fun and exciting. To avoid this scenario, make sure you bring your new dog into the house on his leash. Walk him around so that he can investigate his new environment, but keep him with you at all times. Be prepared to reward your new pooch with a tasty treat for staying calm should your cat happen to come into sight.

For the remainder of that day and probably several weeks thereafter, keep your dog restricted to one or two rooms in the house with the help of baby gates. This will allow your cat time to get used to the dog's presence in the house. She most likely will venture out at some point to investigate her new housemate. When she does, reward her bravery with an extraspecial treat, such as tuna fish. This will help Kitty to form a positive association: "Wow! I get tuna fish whenever I come out and take a look at this giant, stinky dog." Likewise, be prepared to reinforce your dog's calm behavior in the presence of the cat. When given the choice between a chunk of chicken and a cat, most dogs will choose the chicken. Oh, the power of food!

The next step is to set up a few controlled introductions. With your dog on his leash and a handful of treats, tempt your kitty to come into the room by placing a dish of tuna fish a few feet from the doorway. Reward your dog for staying calm while the cat is in the room. Ask him to sit or lie down to help him stay relaxed, and reward him for complying. Do this several times, until you feel that both the cat and the dog are comfortable and calm in each other's presence. Next, start to walk your dog around the room while the cat is present. Remember to have those chucks of chicken handy so that you are more interesting than the cat.

If all is going well after a few days of the controlled on-leash introductions, you can try the same procedure with the dog off lead. It shouldn't be long before your new pooch learns that the cat's presence brings treats as long as he stays calm. Continue to use baby gates around the house, especially when you are not home or are unable to supervise the animals. This will ensure that your cat will always be able to get away from the dog if she feels nervous or threatened.

Follow these suggestions, and it shouldn't be long before your two furry companions are living peacefully together without the baby gates and treats. This is how I introduced my dog, Kye, to my cat, Johnny, and they became fast friends. Now they even curl up together on the couch every night.

Text: findarticles.com