moving - new home AND dog

loribeth · Sep 25, 2014

I got Malachy in April ...my husband & I were separated & I needed a companion. It looks like we have worked our differences out & have decided to merge our homes again. We have a dog at the house (I am currently in an apartment). I have the ability to take Malachy at any time & begin introductions ...would it be wise to start it gradually like that; or wait until the move is complete. ( I mean, take him for a few hours then bring him back to his familiar surroundings). I can even bring something here to my apartment that smells like the dog for starters ...I don't want to elongate the stress on Malachy ...I wish to ease it as much as possible ...thoughts? TYVM!

catpack · Sep 25, 2014

I think it would be ok to bring something that smells like the dog to the apartment. Let Malachy get use to the dog's scent. Once you are ready to move Malachy permanently, get him setup in a bedroom. Let him get use to the scent of the new home and your husband first before introducing him to the dog.

Has Malachy ever been around dogs?

Has the dog ever been around cats? Has the dog completed basic obedience training? Will the dog sit and stay?

I do not suggest taking Malachy back and forth for visits. This is likely to cause him a lot of stress (1. From the new environment and 2. The dog.)

I'd also invest in some Feliway diffusers to put in the house. This will help with overall transition.

loribeth · Sep 25, 2014

CatPack said:
I think it would be ok to bring something that smells like the dog to the apartment. Let Malachy get use to the dog's scent. Once you are ready to move Malachy permanently, get him setup in a bedroom. Let him get use to the scent of the new home and your husband first before introducing him to the dog.

Has Malachy ever been around dogs?

Has the dog ever been around cats? Has the dog completed basic obedience training? Will the dog sit and stay?

I do not suggest taking Malachy back and forth for visits. This is likely to cause him a lot of stress (1. From the new environment and 2. The dog.)

I'd also invest in some Feliway diffusers to put in the house. This will help with overall transition.

TY ...I got Malachy from a shelter so don't know his history ...I know the dog (Frankie) has not been around cats. He's Border Collie so he might give chase if kitty runs, BUT he is also a scaredy dog, he'll most likely just go hide behind the couch if Mally stands his ground - or even if he doesn't Frankie will most likely be timid ...yes, Frankie has had training and will obey sit/stay/come/down ...I was considering Feliway - thanks for mentioning that ..and thanks for mentioning visits might not be a good idea, I really wondered about that ...I don't want to cause Malachy any more stress than necessary

catpack · Sep 25, 2014

I think the most important thing when you do start introductions is to make sure you have control of Frankie. Knowing that he is a herding dog, I would make sure Frankie is on a leash/harness until you a certain he will not chase Malachy. It is hard to repair a relationship once a cat is chased by a dog.

I would suggest taking Frankie to professional trainer and have him temperament tested with cats. (They use cats that are accustom to dogs.) This will allow you to work on tweaking Frankie's behavior before you get Malachy into the house.

mnm · Sep 25, 2014

When my son had that situation, they put up a baby gate in a hall that went to his office/ kitty litter area and they put it high enough that the cats could go under it and get through but not the dog... it really worked out well. The cats could come out as they felt comfy... their dog is friendly so that part of it was ok but the one cat still growls at him

sfdafdsz · Sep 25, 2014

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loribeth · Sep 25, 2014

some great ideas - TY!

loribeth · Oct 20, 2014

Just an update ...Malachy moved to the house with me yesterday ...it's been about 30 hours since I brought him through the door ...it went very well, we couldn't be more pleased. He has his safe place but Malachy & Frankie (the dog) are both tolerating each other & hanging in the same room. There has been a little growling & a few hisses but I would not be surprised if they end up being good buds ...and Frankie thinks Malachy has some really cool toys!

mnm · Oct 20, 2014

wow, in the same room already? That's awesome! I think you're right!

moving - new home AND dog

loribeth

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catpack

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loribeth

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catpack

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mnm

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loribeth

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