Hi all, this is my first posting as a new Forum Member so hope this is in the correct section!

I have 3 days ago have got myself a 7 year old female Lab X named Mitzi from a rescue centre. She has not being cruelly treated as far as we know, excellent with children, other dogs/livestock and cats.... so we thought :?. She was "cat tested" by the rescue centre which proved what the owner had said that she was ok with cats. However she does not like our cat Sifa..... at all. She does show signs of aggression so I don't want to take the chance of putting them together again though we have tried to a good few times. It was like a Tom & Jerry cartoon as the 2 went chasing around the room with unmerciful sounds from the Sifa the cat and loud barking from Mitzi the dog.

Any suggestions that may help with uniting the pair of them would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

Take two old towels, rub one all over Sifa, and the other one all over Mitzi. Be sure and get the scent areas, such as cheeks, paw pads, and anal area. Now put Mitzi's towel under Sifa's food/water dishes, and Sifa's towel under Mitzi's feeding area. When they eat, they will inhale each other's scent, forming a positive connection.

Take Sifa's brush and use it on Mitzi. It will distribute Sifa's "house scent" onto Mitzi, making her smell like part of the family.

For this one, you will need a helper. Have your helper hold Sifa on one end of the room, the biggest room in the house, preferably, and you hold Mitzi (or vice versa, it doesn't matter) on the other end. You each have a little bag of a very delicious, highly aromatic, treat. Sit there and give each animal treats, while they are sitting in the same room, far apart, being civil. Very gradually, and slowly, close the distance between the two animals, while continuing to feed treats. When you find the distance at which either one of the animals begins to show even slight agitation, end the session, release the animals on a positive note (continue separation and supervision), and start again from the distance at which you left off, the next day. Continue this practice until the two species can stand to be near each other without conflict. If at first they are unable to even be in the same room together, find out what distance they can still see each other without becoming distressed. The treating will not work if either pet is feeling stressed.

Here's what I'd do, start of by seperating the two animals for a few days then:

· Allow your cat to smell the blankets that the dog has slept on and vice versa.

· Hold the dog by its collar and allow the cat to smell him or her without the dog being able to move towards the cats. This is best done if the dig is held securely on the floor or on a lap.

· Once they have had a chance to see each other when the dog is under control consider allowing the dog to walk around the room with the cats.

· The cats should not be held; rather they should be allowed to move away from the puppy when they want.

· If the puppy barks or attempts to chase the cats correct the puppy with a quick “No” and give them an appropriate toy to play with. Soon the puppy will realize that they are to chew on the toy, not try to chase the cats.

· Supervise all interactions between the cat and puppy until you are confident that they are well socialized. This may take several weeks depending on the comfort level of the cat and the size of the puppy.

See how this goes, it has worked well for me on numerous occasions...

Good Luck!

Thanks guys for your helpful feedback and I will put yours suggestions into action... so heres hopin'

Divide on room with a gate(kid gate type thing). Let one be on one side and the other on the other side. Make sure if they want to get near eachother they can and that the gate won't tip over or the cat's clasws can't go through any slots. Let them be there whenever they want for as long as you want them to and they may just get used to eachother.

Tell us when you fix the problem or don't have as much at least.

Originally Posted by LovelyBlaze15

Divide on room with a gate(kid gate type thing). Let one be on one side and the other on the other side. Make sure if they want to get near eachother they can and that the gate won't tip over or the cat's clasws can't go through any slots. Let them be there whenever they want for as long as you want them to and they may just get used to eachother.

Tell us when you fix the problem or don't have as much at least.

Im actually doing with a childs gate and have made some progress. the cat does not seem to be as frightened as she knows the dog cant get through to her. Thanks