When acclimating a new cat to your dog, start out by having the cat in a room with her food, litter box and so on, with a baby gate partitioning the threshold. By walking your dog past the doorway a few times a day for several days and giving him high-value treats each time he's relaxed about it, he comes to associate civil behavior in her presence with treats. Every time the cat approaches the gate to investigate, toss her a high value treat too. She'll start to get a positive feeling about him. Your new cat has to set the pace, though. If she chooses to run and hide under the furniture when you and the dog walk by, let her. This just means your introductions will take longer. (Maybe weeks longer). Taking things slow now, will build a nice foundation for the future, however. Cats can take a long time to form relationships with other animals. Holding your cat to force interaction, or in any way restricting her, is a very bad idea.

If your cat doesn’t seem afraid of Max as you pass by the doorway of her room, or if she shows an interest in hopping the gate, you can introduce them in your living room or other large room. Make sure she can get away from him during the introduction. Having him on a slack leash, and being ready to correct if he acts out, makes sense here. She should always have the leeway and space to run and hide, or slip under a piece of furniture or to jump up on something higher than him. Use your recall ("come") and “leave it” exercises if he starts nosing her or following her and she seems irritated. This is a very good start, but there's more! I'll share that next time.

Dog's Best Friend