How to tame an adult dog to a cat. How to make friends a cat with a dog. Advance training planning

Cats and dogs are known for their strained relationship with each other, but that doesn't mean these animals can't be friends. In fact, individual dogs are simply not at all able to get along with cats. However, with proper training planning and a lot of patience, some dogs can be trained to be gentle with cats and even befriend them.

Steps

Advance training planning

Be realistic. Some animals are simply not able to get along with each other. If you already have a dog, think carefully before getting a cat. No matter how much you want to make a new furry friend, it would be unfair to both animals to make such a big change in their lives without realizing how it could affect their quality of life. The American Society for the Protection of Animals believes that a dog that is aggressive in the presence of a calm, motionless cat, or that clearly loses the ability to concentrate on anything other than a cat, will probably never be able to peacefully coexist with that animal.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Teaching a dog the proper attitude towards cats is quite difficult, and sometimes impossible. If you do not have sufficient training experience, this task may not be up to you. But in such a situation, professional dog training instructors can help you assess your dog's limits and develop a more detailed training strategy.

Have reasonable expectations. Most likely, the training will be a long process. Don't expect too much too soon and don't be surprised if the animals feel hostility or fear towards each other at first.

Start learning from an early age. Puppies and kittens that grow up together have the highest chance of getting along well into adulthood. If you already have an adult dog, consider getting a kitten rather than an adult cat. The kitten will be less likely to be afraid of the dog and provoke its instinctive desire to chase the fleeing prey.

Get your dog checked out. If you know the owners of a particularly docile cat or a cat that is friendly with dogs, ask if you can bring your dog over for a supervised test of their relationship with cats. This step will allow you to understand how difficult it will be to train a dog to live peacefully with a cat.

Start pre-training. If you're determined to get a cat, start bringing cat-smelling things home (grooming tools, bedding, etc.). Prepare baby gates, litter boxes, food bowls, and scratching posts before your cat arrives so your dog has time to get used to all these items.

Adaptation of the dog to the presence of a cat

Start introducing pets in neutral territory. The dog may consider your home as its territory, so it is able to get scared and defend this territory if you unexpectedly bring home a new pet. It will be useful to start introducing the pets somewhere outside, when the cat will be in a fenced enclosure and the dog will be on a leash.

• Start from afar and gradually approach the enclosure with your dog. As soon as you get close enough that the dog notices the cat, stop.
• Let the dog look at the cat for a while and then say the dog's name. When the dog looks at you, click the clicker and give him a treat. Repeat this process - let the dog look at the cat, say its name, and then reward when it looks at you. The idea is to let the dog know that he is being rewarded for remaining calm in the presence of the cat.
• If the dog is too distracted by the cat to concentrate properly, move away from the cat at a distance where the dog can confidently turn in your direction when you say his name.
• Gradually move closer to the enclosure with the cat, continuing to perform the same procedure. Be sure to generously treat the dog, it is very important that good behavior is presented to the dog as more beneficial than bad.
• Keep practicing until the dog can stand comfortably very close to the cat enclosure. Be patient. The amount of time you have to spend on mastering this stage depends on the dog itself.

1. Move on to introducing animals to your home by installing a children's gate between two separate rooms. This step is also a good alternative if you are not able to introduce the animals in neutral territory or if the cat does not tolerate being in an outdoor enclosure.

   • Place the cat in a room reserved for her, where the dog does not have access. Make sure there is bedding, water and food bowls, a scratching post, a litter box, and cat toys. For a cat, it is necessary to organize a space in which she will feel safe. Give her at least a couple of days to adjust before getting to know the dog.
   • Put your dog on a leash, fill your pockets with his favorite treat, and also save some treats for the cat. The door to the room with the cat must be open, but blocked by a children's gate. For the first couple of days, just walk past the door with your dog. Click the clicker and give the dog a treat for calm behavior, and also toss a treat to the cat to also create a positive associative connection with the presence of the dog in her.
   • Practice general obedience commands in the vicinity of the cat. It is necessary to make sure that the dog knows how to maintain concentration even in the presence of a cat, and the cat begins to understand that the dog does not pose a threat to it. If the dog is too distracted to focus on you, move a little further away from the cat until you can get the dog's attention. As the dog gets used to it, gradually move closer to the cat.

2. Use a dog cage to separate two pets from each other while getting to know each other. This step is only possible if the dog is crate trained. If she doesn't have positive associations with being caged, she will probably be too upset to learn anything.

   • Send the dog to the crate and lock the door behind him. Bring the cat into the room. The dog may whine, push the door with its paw, or even growl. Let her act naturally. As for the cat, also let her determine the further course of communication with the dog. If she does not want to come to the cage, do not force her. Click the clicker and treat your dog when he is quiet or calm.
   • Let the animals do whatever they want for 10-15 minutes and then separate them again. Continue to arrange familiarization meetings until the dog becomes calm in the presence of a cat. After that, proceed with the steps below.

Transition to free communication of animals

1. Let the cat determine the pace of development of the relationship with the dog. When the cat is comfortable enough to be curious, she will walk up to the children's gate to examine the passing dog. If both animals behave calmly and show curiosity when communicating through the gate, then they are ready to try to start communicating without barriers in the same room.

   Keep your dog on a loose leash, but be prepared to react if he decides to chase the cat. In such a situation, it would be appropriate to use the “fu” command. If the dog starts to whine, get irritated or agitated, take the cat back to her room and start repeating obedience commands with the dog until she calms down.

   Continue to arrange such meetings for several weeks. Do not try to let the dog off the leash until you are absolutely sure that he will not show aggression and will not chase the cat. It can throw away all the great progress that you have already made.

   When you are absolutely sure of your dog, let him off the leash. Keep a close eye on both pets. Be sure to use a clicker and treats to encourage proper dog behavior.

Promoting friendship between dog and cat

Don't let the dog chase the cat. This is the most important milestone in keeping the peace between dogs and cats. If you allow your dog to realize how much fun it is to chase cats, then he will receive positive reinforcement of the behavior that you do not want, which will complicate the further process of his training. Also, the cat herself will understand that the dog should be afraid. Be firm and consistent, and make sure that the dog always strictly obeys the “fu” command.

Be sure to observe the communication of animals. Until the last doubts that animals can be trusted melt away, never leave a cat and a dog together alone. Any quarrels between them in your absence can destroy the progress made. If you're not 100% sure about your pets, always lean towards precaution.

The cat does not understand the purpose of the dog leash, and having it on the dog will not necessarily make her feel calmer. An animal that feels trapped falls into despair, and if the cat does not have the feeling that at any moment she can go where there are no dogs, she may attack the dog herself or try to escape from it.

• Animal introductions should be short. Dogs have a fairly small margin of attention, so lessons longer than 15-20 minutes may be less effective. You will most likely have to do a lot of work. Be patient with your dog, any resentment you have will only complicate things.
• Take your time. Not all dogs learn quickly. You need to progress gradually, always building on what the dog has already learned.
• Be careful. Watch for any changes in the animal's behavior, such as new fears, changes in appetite, or a tendency to hide regularly. These are all signs that the process of introducing animals is putting too much pressure on their psyches, so you may need to re-evaluate the realisticness of your expectations.
• Take good care of your pets. Dogs and cats will get along best when all their other needs are fully met. A dog that doesn't understand what good behavior is, or that doesn't get enough exercise, is more likely to misbehave. Similarly, a bored cat or a cat that doesn't feel safe, that doesn't have its own dog-free zone, is more likely to show aggression or fear.
• Always use positive reinforcement methods. Swearing is not an effective teaching method. The most important part of dog training is being able to tell the animal exactly what you want from him, and turning good behavior for the dog into more beneficial than bad behavior. It is critical for both animals to make a positive association between being together and having good experiences.

Many people know the expression "Live like a cat with a dog", and understand its meaning. But sometimes these very animals can show an example of friendship and mutual understanding, as soon as the owner pushes them to this. Making them friends is pretty easy. How to teach a dog to a cat.

One way to make them friends is to have pets at a young age. It is easier for a small puppy and a kitten to get along with each other because of the general playfulness. It is also recommended to sometimes rub the babies together so that their smells mix and they can more easily get used to the mutual neighborhood.

The first acquaintance of a cat and a dog, if the cat was brought home recently, should take place under the supervision of the owner. If the dog is rather aggressive, it is advisable to put on a collar with a leash and a muzzle. Then command the dog to “sit” and place it next to you. When the dog starts to rush at the cat, give the “fu” command and make a strict jerk with the leash. Again, seat the dog next to you, and let the cat not be far away. Again make a jerk with the leash if the dog decides to pounce a second time. When the dog calms down, you can loosen the leash, stopping any aggression. Over time, she will get used to the fact that the cat is a new tenant in the house, and that it is forbidden to touch him.

Do not give one of the pets too much attention. This will provoke jealousy on the part of the animal that is deprived of it, and long training for cohabitation may be useless. It is better to caress your pets at the same time. You can also arrange joint games. This will allow the pets to get to know each other better.

Placing pet food bowls in one place also helps pets get used to each other's company. It is desirable to feed the animals at the same time at the same time. This method can be applied both in the early years of life of pets and in cases where one of the animals was acquired before the other. However, care must be taken to ensure that animals do not steal food from each other.

If a cat was purchased earlier, then you need to give him a place where he can rest from the puppy. It will be easier for a small puppy to adapt to a cat, since he does not yet understand the differences between species. The kid can attack only when playing, so it is important to be present at the games and stop the aggression from the cat in time and take the puppy away if he gets too excited. It is necessary to ensure that the cat does not become impudent, otherwise it will be too difficult for the dog to settle down with his neighbor.

Be sure to encourage the friendship between animals. Both animals should be stroked if they have arranged a joint harmless game.

Both pets must be taken out into the wild. This will help them understand that they are equally important to the owner.

In case of quarrels and “stealing” of food or a favorite toy, it is necessary to intervene and restore justice.

When accustoming animals to each other, it is important for their owner to show that he is their "leader" and his commands are the law for each pet.

How to train a dog
We teach a puppy to a nickname
The dog is your sports partner Weaning a dog to pick up food from the ground
Weaning a dog to bark at home
Weaning a dog from biting its legs
Weaning a puppy to chew on furniture

How to make friends a dog with a cat? It has long been believed that these two animals are the worst enemies. We have seen more than once how dogs chase tailed purrs.

Zoologists believe that there is practically no true friendship between these animals. Peaceful existence is rather a truce or mutual tolerance. But whatever it is, we still need to figure out how to make friends a dog with a cat.

Adult purr and little puppy

Of course, it is better that the animals live together since childhood, but if this did not work out, then do not be upset.

If a cat already lives in your house, then take a puppy at the age of three to twelve weeks. This way they can get along quite easily, especially if they are not allowed to make close contact at first. Just a little puppy is always friendly, and wanting to play with a cat, he can be rebuffed. It is better to first introduce them at a distance. It is necessary to pay attention to the purr so that she does not feel that she is now an unloved animal.

Cats are very smart creatures, they immediately understand who is to blame for the fact that they have lost their primacy in master's love. As a result of this, the tailed pet will have a desire to take revenge. As you can imagine, this cannot be allowed. Otherwise, an affectionate cat will be aggressive towards the “stranger”. Make sure that the puppy does not bother the purr, does not bite her tail or ears. Remember that dogs don't understand the cat's signs of irritation, so they don't expect it to teach a lesson in "good manners." Warnings include hissing and tail twitching. A small dog will not understand such "hints".

As a rule, puppies do not show aggression towards a cat, due to their friendliness and age. Very often, adult purrs take custody of dogs. Sometimes they remain indifferent. In any case, existence should be peaceful.

Keep an eye on your cat while you're dating. If she bites the puppy's tail, lies on top or in his place, then she treats the baby friendly. If a small dog wags his tail and takes characteristic poses for the game, then he also expresses sympathy for the purr.

During the period when the puppy is behaving friendly, stroke the cat, as she can hardly understand what this little varmint wants.

Adult animals: how to make friends a dog with a cat?

If both animals are already in adulthood, then the situation becomes much more complicated. The first meeting should be carried out very carefully. Sit the dog down, command "Sit!", then praise the command and show the cat. If she runs, then stop any attempts by the dog to follow her. He must understand that you treat the cat peacefully. During the first meeting, you can put on a collar with a leash and a muzzle on the dog.

How to make friends a dog with a cat? It will take a long time until they get used to the presence of another pet. It may take a couple of months to get used to it. A cat should always have a place where she can feel completely safe. Therefore, take care of this in advance. For example, a desk. The best option is another room. There you need to put a bowl for water and food, as well as a house for purrs. Periodically you need to arrange meetings for animals in the same room, start small - one to two minutes. At the same time, always watch the dog, any aggression must be stopped.

dog and kitten

You need to be especially careful when taking a kitten into a house with a dog. After all, the dog, due to natural instincts, has always been hostile and wary of cats, so even in a young creature he can see a problem.

If the dog is tolerant of cats, then their acquaintance should go smoothly, and further cohabitation will not be a burden to anyone.

The first meeting must be held under vigilant control, you need to carefully monitor the reactions of animals.

Let each of them get used to the new neighbor, you do not need to immediately introduce them closer.

Before the first meeting, be sure to walk and feed the dog. Thus, you will reduce the aggressiveness of the dog and save him from additional reasons for concern.

Isolate the animals for a couple of days so that they can get used to the new smells, feel the neighborhood, but not be too close at the same time. After settling, immediately feed both pets, so you can create pleasant associations with them - someone else's smell and delicious food. Thanks to this, the dog will quickly accept a new neighbor.

Then feed the pets in the same room, but at a distance. So for both animals, the new neighbor will be associated with a pleasant meal. But still, be on the lookout at first. After a while, the animals will get used to each other, perhaps they will even sleep together.

Cats and dogs are animals with different behaviors and worldviews, so you need to approach them carefully. It happens differently in every house: somewhere they get along very well, there are times when they don’t get along very well. We hope you understand how to make friends between a cat and a dog. As a result of this, our tips will help you introduce two different, but such beautiful creatures of nature.

When small pets of the dog-cat tribe appear in the house at the same time and grow up together, then their relationship develops by itself. They get used to each other. There is no need to think about how to teach a dog to a cat.

But if there is already an animal in the house, for example, a cat, and it is an adult, then it is necessary to create the ground for the right, peace-loving and friendly relations. The same applies to the dog, if she was the first to get into the family.

Dating bridges

It is believed that the primary aggression comes from the dog, but it is often the other way around. The cat feels like the mistress of the territory and chooses to protect its own space by attacking. Claws are used, hissing is an attempt to scare off the enemy, the animal “ruffles”, the hair is on end, the tail is loose, all in tension. In general, with all his appearance he shows that it’s not easy to approach him. Moreover, such aggression is manifested even when the dog is set up peacefully. However, there are also pretty good cats. In any case, it is wiser for owners to adhere to some tactics in how to accustom a dog to a cat.

It is better that two people participate in the process. One is a “representative” of a cat, the other is a dog. Just in case, you should take security measures. The party responsible for the cat should arm himself with tight pants, a jacket or a jacket with long sleeves - all of a sudden the cat decides to release its claws from the experience. The dog can be prepared for the first acquaintance by putting on a collar, a muzzle, taking it on a leash.

During the first acquaintance, the cat is seated on her knees, held, stroking, scratching, affectionately saying that she will have to live with a new tenant, that he (she) is good and they need to be friends. The dog is brought in without letting go of the leash and first leaving a distance between the objects of acquaintance. She is also cheered up with kind words, explaining that now she will meet another inhabitant of the house, the same member of the family, stroked or patted encouragingly.

If both representatives of the acquaintance parties behave calmly, without showing signs of aggression, then you can slowly bring the dog closer, at arm's length, and then even closer and, holding it by the collar, let it sniff the cat. Let the cat, still holding it, sniff the dog. If the situation is calm, let go of the cat, and let go of the dog's collar, leaving it on a leash. Animals do not show malice or aggression, but are curious and make attempts to play, which means that the acquaintance was successful. Enough for the first time. Bridges have been built. Each object individually needs to be rewarded for good behavior. But it's too early to relax and put an end to it. This is just the beginning of a relationship. Now they should be strengthened and preserved.

Consolidation of the result

For at least the first two weeks, and maybe longer, animals should not be left together together. Repeat the dating procedure every day until the pet tenants get used to each other, and the owner is not sure that they can peacefully coexist alone.

If a cat or dog shows signs of aggression, then it is better not to bring them close to each other when they first meet. The cat, despite the fact that the dog is much larger and stronger, can rush at the enemy. Then quarrels cannot be avoided. Showing aggression, she tries to protect herself from any encroachment on her own territory. Therefore, when none of the people are at home, it is better to keep the animals separately in different rooms. Release under the supervision of the owners and, if a conflict is brewing, stop it in time, switching the attention of the parties, withdrawing or taking it to another place.

Under the same roof

Animals, even as independent as cats, have the ability to bond with their owners, either out of loyalty or possessiveness. In order to avoid conflicts between pets as a result of feelings of jealousy, you need to give them equal attention. Be sure to stroke one and the other, encourage, treat delicious, it's even better to do it at the same time. It is also better to feed a cat and a dog at the same time. Each pet must have their own bowl. Of course, there are cases when dogs and cats calmly eat from the bowl of another, while the partner calmly reacts to such liberty of a neighbor. If there is friction, then the places for food should be divided, placing the bowls at a safe distance from each other.

In most cases, older partners willingly accept younger ones (kittens or puppies), showing maternal and paternal feelings and care for them.

Ways to teach a dog to a cat are not so complicated. But a lot depends on the owners. A wise approach to each of the pets individually and to both together in most cases helps to achieve a peaceful and non-conflict existence of a cat and a dog under one roof. And then friendship wins!

How to make friends a cat with a dog - video

Get used to it. I brought an adult dog into the house. The cat was stressed. She did not want to drink or eat. I sat on the windowsill. They went for a walk, she began to move around the apartment. Gradually got used to it. But I have a dog for her zero emotions

I'm afraid that she would not hurt the puppy, it will be necessary to cut the claws in advance. Maybe there are other ways to learn. When I come from the puppies, I let her sniff my hands, but she is not particularly interested in the smell.

We, at one time, also brought a puppy to an adult cat (12 years old). Of course, the cat was not happy.

Nothing, I got used to it, but the puppy respected her. And even when he grew up, for him she was Aunt Moura.

In general, there is no need to force, they will build their own relationship. You just need to make sure that the cat does not damage the puppy's eyes with its claws. And in no case do not bring a cat to a puppy for the purpose of acquaintance.

Uh-huh, we won’t bring it, as it suits itself, so it will. I think if you cut the claws, then anyway, it can injure the puppy, especially the eyes, it's scary.

If there is time, then slowly start accustoming the cat to eat on the windowsill, she will not be able to eat on the floor when the dog appears.

We also brought a puppy to an already adult cat, well, he hissed, lived on the tops for the first time - looked closely / sniffed, then crawled when the time came - it is very important that the cat decides when to approach the puppy, as Natasha wrote above, nor in in any case, do not shove them to each other.

At first, we did not leave them in the same room until we were at home, so that communication could happen only under our control.

Oh, in the kitchen, the window sill is a continuation of the countertop, you need to come up with something else: hmm:

Today I read that the cat should have the opportunity to go somewhere upstairs, where she can watch, and the puppy will not get her, and here we have a gap, all the furniture is low: hmm: Will she really have to buy a tall scratching post for her pancake

My cat was 13 years old when the puppy arrived. Naturally, a complete set of habits, troubles and senile grievances :) She is also a girl (grandmother) with character, so we were worried about the meeting.

1. We immediately decided that the dog would live only and exclusively on the floor. Unlike a cat, which has the privilege to go anywhere, anywhere.

2. The cat bowl had to be moved from the floor to the windowsill. Accordingly, you just have time to retrain the cat.

3. Just in case, the cat's claws were trimmed so as not to scratch out the puppy's eyes. One time was enough, because the cat is waving its paws more for warning, as it turned out. :)

4. For a long time I had to control their communication, because the puppy is sometimes very annoying with his offers to play. At first they were afraid that he would break her neck effortlessly. Now sometimes I also upset him.

5. In order to avoid manifestations of jealousy, we decided to stroke the cat more often. But here it turned out to be the opposite: the dog got caught - a terrible jealous one! So, when we stroke and praise the cat, he immediately pins and tries to push it away :)

6. Try to cover the cat pots from the dog. Everyone knows the caprophilia of Labrov, so for some time (until they taught the dog the “no” command) I had to run to the pots in a race with a puppy.

In general, communication takes place without excesses, although without much mutual love. But the cat even somehow rejuvenated and cheered up :) Sometimes the dog herself starts up, and then rushes around the apartment from him.

If I missed something in the story, you ask - I'll be happy to share :)

Thank you for such a complete answer :) and about cat pots. It is far away from us and the puppy is unlikely to have access there, it can only appear a couple of times with me in that room, but just in case ... There the filler and eating it can be dangerous, because it is also clumpy. :nono: And there are less dangerous filler, I want to minimize the risk.

And how many a puppy? In our country, when the puppy arrived (1.5 months), the cat (4 years) did not accept him at all - the creature that ran around the apartment like a top made her so hysterical that I was scared for the lives of both (the cat even stuck out her tongue and her all pounded). I had to take the cat to my mother-in-law that evening, fortunately - there is her second home. But when the puppy was 5 months old, when I could sit him down and put him down and let the cat get off the closet and sniff him calmly, then we took our girl home and took it. A cat a couple of times then bitten the puppy's paw (!!!) painfully, now they have neutrality. Although Vasilisa is more important: gleam:

So I understand that cats are afraid of hyperactivity in all its manifestations. When a friend recently came to me and started to rage with the dog, both the friend and the dog got both from the cat.

I'm not afraid, but I think you need to be prepared for such an outcome. By the way, the cat from her series is at the door - she is at the window. It doesn’t get off your hands, all such a purr is a caress.

The pup will be just over 8 weeks old. The cat is not particularly affectionate and, you correctly noted, also cannot stand hyperactivity and fuss, which is why her children annoyed at a younger age. We can’t give the cat to anyone, we will have to figure out how to protect the puppy from her during our absence: hmm: