From: lhuffman@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Introducing Cats and Dogs
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na,local
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 17:47:35 GMT

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.

TEMPERAMENT EVENTUALLY WINS OVER TRAINING.