Getting a dog and cat to tolerate one another

Denene

Some family got a dog a week ago. They went to a rescue which didn't require any home visits, didn't have much information on the dogs, and they were told they had to take her immediately if they wanted her (sigh).

They already have a cat. No information on how the dog feels about cats, but it has tried to chase one on a walk. However, when the dog (under control or with glass between them) has been introduced to the cat, it sometimes doesn't seem to see it at all, and sometimes tries to go to it. The cat is hissing and puffing up as expected.

At the moment, the dog is staying in one room, and the cat has the run of the house. Several times a day, the cat is closed in a room, and the dog has a run about the house.

I'm desperate for the dog and cat to tolerate each other because having to keep the dog shut up can't be helping her settle in, and frankly having to keep them apart is really annoying.

The dog is at least partly terrier/jack russell. Also discovered she hadn't been spayed and was/is in heat (!!). She's very excitable, which I think isn't helped by being stuck in one room so much, but very friendly.

I was hoping to try clicker/treat training, but I don't know whether it's best to try to do some basic training first, to try to deal with the over-excitedness and make the introduction to the cat calmer, or maybe just introduce her to the cat immediately and reward good behaviour? Or something else?

(BTW, this isn't my dog, and I don't live in the house, but I have been walking her and visiting. I will be there often enough to take part in training)

pinkteapot

Some good advice here:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/introducing-dogs-and-cats

Main thing is, very slow, careful, controlled introductions, and build it up from there.

Mupette

I have a JRT cross and the cats rule the roost here.

The family need the history for the dog, why it was in the rescue (what rescue lets dogs go to homes without checks and doesn't have history)

Did the family say they got the dog at a rescue, or was it someone getting rid of the dog?

something doesn't sound right at all.

Denene

Thanks for the link, pinkteapot. The video was particularly helpful; I'm going to suggest a stairgate for the cat's room.

Mupette, sorry I was trying to condense the information and probably missed a few things! I'm glad to hear that cats can co-habit with a jack russell type. Everybody I've mentioned it to has been aghast about mixing a cat with the breed!

My family were told that the dog was a stray, and the vet thought she may have had puppies previously. There's a possibility she might be already pregnant before they adopted her. Hopefully not.

She wasn't microchipped (is now). The rescue place is contracted by a local council, and is pretty well established, so hopefully not dodgy. They do say they that they don't rehome unsuitable dogs.

I was very surprised at the lack of checks before adoption, too. Home visits etc. have always been the norm when adopting my cats. I've been biting my tongue about the whole thing, to be honest.

She's going back to the vet this week, so might be able to find out some medical history and also arrange to get her spayed. There are training classes starting in August, so going to book those too.

Money_saving_maniac

When I was a little girl we had a JR and the two cats bullied him.

Mupette

Yup Gizmo the eldest cat and once was the dogs best pal can and will slap the dog.

Female cat keeps out of the dogs was because even now dog wants to hump her (dominance thing)

Dave pre car fight would play rough with the dog, so careful monitoring when those two get to play again.

But generally the dog will chase any cat that isn't ours out of the garden, but looks after his own.

Denene

Thanks, this is very reassuring! It seems unfair for the cat to be unhappy, especially since she was there first, so I'd really prefer for her to be in charge.

I've been walking the dog every day, and she does seem to be getting a little calmer. Can I ask, how many walks/how far do you walk your dogs every day? She's getting three walks a day, probably around 5 miles total, but I don't know if this is enough as she seems to have infinite energy! Unfortunately, there's nowhere I can take her where she can be safely off the lead at the moment.

mellymoo74

Pickle loves my JRTS
Tomcat doesn't

It's down to the cat

pogofish

Once the dog learns the cat is boss there should be few problems!

SensibleSarah

The 'rescue' you're describing sounds very much like one where I live. It's basically one step up from pet peddling, but essentially has come about because the council needs somewhere to send unclaimed stray dogs and it's contracted out to whoever charges least. The alternative is to put every unclaimed dog down after 7 days. However these places don't neuter, don't homecheck & don't properly assess the dogs before rehoming, so they often prove to be badly matched with new owners & 'bounce' back into rescue or are sold on via Gumtree etc. Totally irresponsible & doesn't do anything to stop more irresponsible breeding & the cycle continuing. Rant over

Re: the dog and cat... Bit too late to follow the sensible advice of picking a rescue dog which has lived in a foster home with a cat, but that's what I always do. Not taking risks like that with my pets.

Now that it's been done... I've always used stairgates on every doorway so cat can escape & I treat both with lots of nice food rewards when in each other's company so they associate positive things with being calm around each other. Don't let the dog chase. Ever. It is a self rewarding behaviour and will become a bad habit straight away. If the dog is able to be distracted easily by food or toys then that's a great sign.

Just take it slowly. They may never be best buddies but generally as long as the dog doesn't have a crazy prey drive & owners are careful not to leave them alone together, they'll learn to live together just fine.

pinkteapot

I watched the last episode of The Secret Life of Kittens (Channel 5) last night and it included a kitten who went to a new home that already had a dog. There was a bit about the introductions and how they were kept separate:

https://www.my5.tv/the-secret-life-of-puppies-and-kittens/season-1/episode-2-the-secret-life-of-kittens

There wasn't really any advice you haven't already had but it's an excuse to watch kittens for an hour.

The main thing was what's been said above - don't let the dog chase - if they show any signs of chasing (even playfully), separate them and try again later. If the cat gets chased early on the relationship will struggle to recover.