From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Subject: Re: Introducing Cats and Dogs
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
Distribution: na,local
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 19:32:10 GMT

In article <1992Aug20.124735.1@stsci.edu>, lhuffman@stsci.edu writes:
> 
> In article <1992Aug20.140332.5550@linus.mitre.org>, pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith) writes:
> > In article <1992Aug19.171936.12351@acuson.com>, tom@acuson.com (Thomas Fredericks) writes:
> >> 
> > carefully - I have a husky and from my experience, nothern breeds are smart, 
> > easy to train with some perserverence and love to eat cats.  Rememember, you 
> > have and adult dog, not a puppy.  Its also a male and they compete in a pack
> > for the alpha wolf position.  I expect they will view the cats as pack 
> > members just like they view the people in the same light.  You need to train
> > the dog that he is NOT alpha wolf.
> > 
> > My experience with introducing a kitten to a 3 year old, unneutered Siberian 
> > weighing 60Lbs that has had more than one cat in his mouth (we resuced it) and 
> > killed anything with 4 legs that walked into HIS yard went remarkably well.
> > 
> > Folks said we were crazy to try and it was a lot of hard work on our part.
> > First we decided to keep the dogs routine constant.  He was used to play at
> > certain times and was used to being out running in the yard at others.  We did
> > not want him jealous of the new addition.  
> > We gave the kitten her own room and she was behind closed doors when the dog 
> > was in the house.  They never met face to face for about 4 months.  We started
> > the introductions by letting them look at each other thru the glass doors.  
> > We held and cuddled the kitten in front of the dog to show him the kitten was
> > something to be gentle to, not eat.  
> > The dog also saw the kitten romp about.
> > 
> > After 2 months of this, we allowed the dog in on a lease and we put the kitten
> > in a protective carrier box.  The dog was very curious and the kitten was
> > terrified.  If the dog seemed agressive he was put out.  If he was gently
> > sniffing, he was praised.  
> > 
> > After weeks of this, we put the dog on a lease and I held the kitten.  This
> > was the realy test and the dog got punished a lot during this period.  
> > 
> > Finally after about 4 months, I let the kitten down and of course she ran.  
> > The dog was still leased and went nuts.  We gradually got him not to chase.
> > 
> > We also taught the kitten to stay up on things so she did not get trampled.  
> > After some time the dog learned to treat her as a family member and not a meal.
> > Its been 2 years and they do well together. They eat together which has
> > impressed a dog trainer friend of mine.  There have been 2 incidents, one over
> > a bagel I was eating and once over cat food where the cat got bit.  Both 
> > times, I was there to reprimand the dog and once to get the cat medical 
> > attention.  We just never have people food around them  (and we don't give
> > the dog people food but he sure wants it).  They are best pals inspite of the
> > few bloody brawls. People (myself included) are amazed that they get along
> > so well and especially eat together - she often sits in the dogs bowl while 
> > he eats.  We got a second cat a year ago and no problem.  There was no
> > adjustment period needed. This kitty however doesn't like the dog and tends to 
> > keep clear of him.
> > 
> > Good luck and remember its a lot of work but achieveable. Any questions, feel 
> > free to email me directly.
> 
> 
> I ALSO FEEL COMPELLED TO RELATE THE STORY OF MY FRIEND WHO HAD A 'SMART'
> AGGRESIVE, CURSORY DOBERMAN WHO WITH HER 'TRAINING' DIDN'T BOTHER THE CATS 
> SHE HAD FOR A GREAT LONG TIME. SHE  CONGRATULATED HERSELF ON BEING SO 
> CLEVER AS TO HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT THIS UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ANIMALS UNTIL SHE 
> CAME HOME ONE DAY TO FIND BLOOD ALL OVER THE KITCHEN WALLS AND THE PIECES 
> OF HER SIAMESE CAT LYING ALL OVER THE FLOOR. 
> 
>     THE DOG LOST TOO, HE WAS DESTROYED.
> 

Thanks for the sad warning.  I never allow the animals together unless we are
there to supervise.  I trust the dog but not that much and since there have
been incidents, I am wary. Pooch lives outside but comes in during rainy nights.
He sleeps in his own room on such occassions.
> TEMPERAMENT EVENTUALLY WINS OVER TRAINING.
> 
>