How To Safely Introduce a Cat and a Dog

It is often difficult to know how a dog will react to a cat until you see them together. This topic is important if you already have a cat and might be considering bringing a dog into the family.

Even though I have a cat for daily practice, Dash doesn’t seem too thrilled when he sees a cat on the street. His prey drive overcomes his friendliness. Since I need him to live with a cat harmoniously, I work on the following exercises.

To successfully and safely introduce a dog and a cat you should practice similar strategies that you would as if you were introducing two dogs, in which one or both were uncomfortable.

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• Manage your dog’s behavior on leash so he is NEVER allowed to chase the cat
• Slowly and systematically introduce him so the event does not result in your dog getting anxious or chasing the cat

It could take a LONG TIME to get to a point where you feel comfortable allowing your dog near your cat. It depends on your dog’s prey drive, how good your timing is, and how much time you spend on the exercises. The main rule of thumb with cats is that they should always have an escape route. Your dog should never be allowed to corner your cat or one or both could get seriously injured, and you are negating one of the rules — never allow your dog to chase the cat. Try this:

• I strongly recommend using the marker system which I teach in basic obedience for this exercise
• Have your dog on leash
• Keep him far enough away from the cat so he is relatively calm
• AS SOON as he sees the cat, Mark and reward (say “Yes”)
• If your dog does not take the treat, use a higher value reward and/or move farther away
• Keep repeating this until your dog is calm at this distance and then move a bit closer
• If your cat moves at any point, Mark and reward AS SOON as your dog sees him move
• Try and end the session before your dog gets anxious
• If he gets anxious, move him farther away

Over time, the strategy is for your dog to not feel like chasing the cat, because he was in the situation many, many times and never actually chased the cat. You are doing something called desensitization and counter conditioning. You are lowering the intensity of your dog’s normal reaction and countering it, or replacing it, with a different behavior.

You can also improve your chances for success by doing more training such as working on off-leash control, COME, or LEAVE IT.

I have many clients that have dogs and cats and they actually play together. Many times the cat will playfully taunt the dog and then jump out of reach each time. Your chances for success are really good if you introduce a young puppy to an older cat and start the exercises from the first greeting.

Scott Cook, a professional K-9 Trainer of 45+ years, has been an avid Canine Enthusiast since childhood and it is worth mentioning that he successfully trained his first dog (a rescue dog with behavioral aggression issues) at the age of 11!

His passion, enthusiasm and love for the dog is evident in his many years of experience as well as his hunger to learn more and it is all this that has made him what he is today! He has had extensive training in the area of canine behavior and training! His studies have included 2 summers in the kennels of the New Skete Monestary, 1 year mentoring with Dr. Ian Dunbar, 1 year mentoring with Ed Frawley, and 2 years association with Michael Ellis!

He is a current Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and owns and operates his own dog training business with 45+ years of professional Canine Training experience in his kitty! You are in good hands with Scott!

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