Hi Brandysnap puppies in the first few months of life are capable of learning to bond with any animal, that is why socialisation is so important ...after that time it becomes harder but it can be done. Be very careful putting a cat in a crate, some cats would be very traumatised if confined with a barking dog nearby. You would probably be better with a kitten than a cat and introduce it slowly by letting Bailey go up to sniff if then giving him treats and praise when he is gentle. Also teach him to 'leave ' things so he knows to leave the cat

Hi, we have a 9 year old collie a cross breed and a northern inuit (puppy who is nothing to do with the cat disasters). When our collie was young we got a rescue cat. They lived together in the house no problem for a few days until the collie decided to hate the cat. After several fights which we were really worried about the dogs eyes being scratched the cat got behind a wall and a large hole had to be cut to get the cat out. The cat then lived outside until it decided to leave and we never saw it again. 5 years later we took in a stray cat who was the most friendly nice cat
we have ever known. He lived outside. He was killed by the dogs when he went into their garden. We were devestated. 2 years later and also 2 days ago a stray cat came into our garden and hid underneath the car. The dog went mad and has caused a large amount of damage to the car trying to get at the cat. I am sure this is not the same for all dogs and cats but thought we would let you know our experience of having both. We would never have another cat.

Hi Brandiesnap,

The problem is that you can only train your dog to respect a cat, if you HAVE a cat!! The big-cage idea is good, but it might freak out your new cat if it can't escape a big, scary dog and hide from it - I wouldn't like to think of a cat forced to endure that sort of terror. Cats have long memories!!

When I got my Bengal, I kept him only in my bedroom for the first six weeks (he was 6months when I had him, and had had no contact with dogs). The dogs knew he was in there, kept sniffing under the door, and the cat knew the dogs were there but was confidant he was safe. After a couple of weeks, I began opening the door an inch, and wedging it, so it couldn't be opened or shut. The dogs and cat could see each other but not get at each other. There was a lot of growling and hissing at first, a few barks, the occasion pawful of claws lashing out - but after a few days they got used to each other and took no notice.

Also, when the dogs were out of the house, I used to let the cat explore the rest of the house - his scent got onto other areas of the house, and the dogs got used to it, and he got used to theirs. Swapping the dogs and cat's blankets over helped, too.

It took about 6 weeks before I was confidant enough to open the door fully. I had the dogs near me with a supply of yummies, and just kept their attention on me while the cat slid out of the door and right past them.

It takes time and patience, but you can do it. I would recommend the door-wedge technique with your dog (so that your cat can give into his 'flight' response and find somewhere to hide from him), and spend time with him outside the door, use a clicker maybe every time he stops looking for the cat. You'll know when they are ready to be given full access to eachother - don't push things, just take things slowly. Many cats live their whole lives completely indoors and are quite happy, so don't feel its cruel to keep the cat inside for as long as it takes.

Best of luck!

Hi Brandiesnaps,

We have two indoor cats and two Northern Inuit Dogs. The cats were 4 and 3 years old when the dogs came along as puppies first one pup then the other approx 3 mths later. Our dogs love our cats and the cats tolerate the dogs. The dogs are also fine with other cats that are not 'their own'. They have met other cats out and about and at friends houses and have always been fine. We watched the 'dog whisperer' (american prog) and he had a case where a GSD would not accept the family cat (cat was a rescue who was used to dogs) this dog actually tried to attack the poor cat on a regular basis, the dog whisperer said that the owners shouldn't even allow the dog to look at the cat (this is how an 'attack' would start) ever time the dog looked at the cat the trainer corrected this behaviour by jerking on the lead and making the dog look away, it worked!!! he also showed his own pack of 30 rescue dogs (he has all diff breed including a doberman and a white GSD) and how he took a tiny kitten to meet them he held the kitten and showed it to the 'pack' and they just sniffed it, it was amazing. He said the only way cats and dogs can get along is if the dog learns to respect the cat.

Sorry if this is long winded. Hope it helps.

That's really impressive - who is the Dog Whisperer? Does he have a web site? Am only familiar with the Dog Listener!!

I'm not an authority on harmonizing relationships between cats and dogs but I definitely wouldn't put the cat in a cage - think this could have a completely negative effect

I think it's very possible to have dogs and cats. It's hard work, but worth it!

We had Oscar about 2 years before the dogs, and I regretted getting the dogs at first because they really tormented Oscar, but I was determined that they would get on together. I used to give the dogs cheese whenever they were OK with Oscar, and tell them off when they weren't. (You naughty boy/girl etc) Everyone thinks I'm mad but it worked for me! Within a month they were curling up together on the settee. That said the dogs do occasionally chase Oscar up the garden, (resulting in a broken fence panel recently), but all in all they do get on well.

The scent swapping on blankets etc idea is also a good one. We did this from the start and I'm sure they accepted each other faster because of it.

Hi Bagoratz, the dog whisperer is a man called Ceasar Millan, he is very impressive his programme was on sky but the series ended. If you check out National Geographic.com there are trailers for his progs. I haven't come across his own website but must confess i haven't had time to look.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone for the help.
I won't use a cage then, wouldn't want to upset the cat I'm sorry Abbie that you have had such bad experiences. Thanks for telling me, I want to know bad things aswell as good.

All your ideas sound good, I'll print them off so I don't lose them! I think really I will have to wait a few months at least until Bailey is more well trained and knows to listen to me at all times But now I know it can be done I will consider getting one, probably a kitten

Doesnt happen like that, as long as the kitten has somewhere to go, like a box/bed it will be fine, and it will be SAFE. I have done this twice now and both times 100% successfully, my boss did it with 3 Afghans, all adults that had never clapped eyes on a Cat before, all fine within a few days. I dont like the one room thing, you excluding and hiding something from a dog is far worse and it will drive them nuts if they cannot see it. One slip of a door and you may have a real problem. JMO.
Dawn.

Have to admit I am not a fan of the cage idea because the kitten will be frightened enough as it is because it will have just left its siblings and mum. Its first impression of its new home will be of being shoved in a cage, in a strange environment with a dog in the same room which is hostile towards cats, possibly growling etc . Don't get me wrong i have heard the cage idea before and it may work but i wouldn't use it because I think the kitten will be far too frightened. Have you thought about getting a rescue cat that is used to dogs????