From: pdsmith.mitre.org (Pat Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Introducing Cats and Dogs
Date: 20 Aug 92 14:03:32 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: The MITRE Corporation

In article <1992Aug19.171936.12351@acuson.com>, tom@acuson.com (Thomas Fredericks) writes:
> 
> 
> 	I currently have a 1 year old male samoyed and will soon be
> 	moving in with someone who has two cats.  Can anyone tell me
> 	about their experiences with having everyone live happily
> 	together.  The dog has not been exposed to cats before except
> 	when he sees one on the street and wants to chase it.  The cats
> 	have not been around dogs either.  So maybe someone could
> 	provide some insight into how to introduce them.
> 		Thanks,
> 			Tom...
> 
> 
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.