My new puppy

Question
Dear expert
One of my cats(age four)doesn't get along
with my new puppy(age eight months)
because my cat doesn't get as much
attention as he used to and were afraid he
will run away , what should I do?
Emma xxx


Answer
Hi Emma,
Hire a dog trainer to help you get control of the dog so he isn't overly bothering the cat. Puppies want to play with everything and need to be given boundaries. The kitty is not a play toy. your cat will learn to adjust to the dog with proper introductions.
The pup should be under control and on leash or in a crate while the cat can get to know him.
The pup needs proper exercise and running outdoors safely to burn off his energy. He can be put in a crate supervised while the family gathers around living room for short times each evening and cat has full access to home. He must be taught to be calm in the crate.
I do not like keeping dogs crated unless for short periods like introductions such as this. He can be fully walked and fed and settled down and then placed in a crate for a half hour while the fam watches the telly with kitty in the same room. He gets rewarded for showing calmness and she gets rewarded for inquisitiveness. The time must be relaxing and building positive associations.
Once he is calm around her in the crate (after many exposures), then try using a leash. always supervise. Keep them separate when you are not home.
Give lots of attention to the kitty and give yourself a good proper understanding of the psychology of cats and the psychology of dogs.
Since you already had them meet i would backtrack and "re-introduce" them slowly...read these links to get a better idea on how that is done.
There are many steps to walk you through that is impossible to write barring a novella so here are some links for tips on intros...

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Cat.html

http://leerburg.com/dog-cat.htm
Good luck,
Shanti