So, we're introducing Danke to our cat, Callie .
We've been following the Introducing Cats and Dogs article here on Leeburg, but we haven't progressed beyond introducing them while Danke is in the crate.

Aside from the advice in the article, does anyone have any additional advice? Any dual-species homes want to weigh in?

Yep. It takes time. Lots of time. Just like any new behavior. Plus, you have a high drive dog and are introducing a "prey" item into HER turf...

Clip your cat's nails. I can't count how many times I hear from people who was introducing the dog and the cat and next thing I hear is puppy sniffed a little too close and kitty responded by hooking his eye, lid, or nose setting back the process.

Also if you have a cat who is a runner you might want to employ the use of a crate for the kitty.

We have two-tiered cat crates. We're waiting to get them out of storage so we can set one up in the living room.

Clipping Callie's claws is a good reminder. In all the planning, it has managed to elude me. ::facepalm

I've never clipped the cats claws. The first thing trouble does when a new dog comes into the house with an attitude is take a swipe at them. Besides if something goes wrong... the cat needs a way to defend itself.

I've had puppies, visiting dogs, foster dogs and my own... all with no issues. If the dog tries anything they learn some much needed respect without injury.

After that if cats or dogs try to bully each other I step in. It actually works pretty well.

Also a valid point. That said, I don't consider it the cat's job to defend herself- that's my job, to make sure she never *has* to defend herself.

I can control Danke 100%. Even if it requires muzzling her. If that's what it takes, that's what we'll do.

I cannot control the cat, however. Cats just don't work like that.
On the off chance that *she* takes a swing at Danke, I don't want a sharp claw blinding Danke.

This is something I am still working diligently on. Unfortunately, my cat is a darter and my pup thinks the chase is great fun. What is working is allowing controlled interactions between the dog and cat on a daily basis with NO opportunity to chase. I found there is a big jump between Vigo being in his crate (where he completely ignores the cat at this point after following Ed's protocol) and Vigo being leashed.

Our morning routine basically includes a "hey, you can come in the laundry room and see the cat" for a few minutes while I switch around laundry or whatever. The cat and dog notice each other, but dog is very interested in whats all in the laundry room (i.e. cat poop). Interaction is calm and dog does not get hyped up by cat's movement because the cat stays right on the dryer where he's eating. They are together for under 5 minutes. The dog and I then leave the laundry room and practice some obedience where the dog can see the cat through the baby gate.

I would say the most important thing is TIME Lots and lots of it!

You are light years ahead of where some of us were when introducing dog with cat - your obedience is really strong and Danke really listens to you very well. I think that is going to make a world of difference.

The chance is slim that the cat is going to be the one to boldly walk up to Danke and instigate anything (although I know there are cats out there who will). I think it is just going to take time for the novelty factor to wear off and for Danke to learn that she really CAN NOT chase/eat the cat and I have no doubt you are able to control her.

Having the cat in her two tiered cage will also allow Danke to "get to know her" while the cat is safely enclosed.

My cat is a bit of a woss.She is not bold at all. So that helped. She never felt the need to swipe at any of the dogs. But then I didn't allow things to get to a point that she felt that she had to protect herself. They were introduced with the dog in a crate or behind a gate. It took along time for my female to learn that the cat was not on the menu, as her drive is thru the roof. She walked around with a prong & dragline,just as a reminder, for a long time before I could totally trust her. I rarely actually had to correct her.The cat was here before she was..so they were introduced from when she was 9 weeks & the cat was 3yr.old. All my other pups were introduced as new pups & none were as hard as she was to settle around the cat.

I had some gates set up across a couple of doorways that the cat could scoot under if she felt that she needed to. Dogs respected the gates.

My house is not that big so the cat didn't get the chance to really run wild & that helped keep things a bit more settled. But the cat did learn not to run in front of the dogs. She would just kind of slink quickly down the hall if she wanted to get away, but not fast enough to trigger the prey drive in the dogs.

The cat will actually play with the dogs, boxing with them (no claws out) & the dogs will let the cat rub against them like cats do. There were actually times that they would all snuggle up on one of the dog beds together & sleep. (2 dogs & a cat)

This was an inside only cat. If the cat ever got outside all bets would have been off. My dogs will chase or kill any cat, squirel, snake or anything else that will enter my fenced yard.

I would expect that the older the dog the more difficult it would be to aclimate the dog with a cat. If the cat has had dog experience it might be helpful. It will take time, but with a dog with good OB it will go quicker.

 Quote: Aaron Myracle

I cannot control the cat, however. Cats just don't work like that.
On the off chance that *she* takes a swing at Danke, I don't want a sharp claw blinding Danke.

Beyond that cat nails are filthy and full of bacteria. Cat scratches and bites are infection nightmares even with other cats so again, good idea to clip the cat's nails. Its just not worth the vet bill.