Tips on introducing a new puppy?

eck1kaylie

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So, long story short, my boyfriend decided that he wanted to get me a puppy for my birthday. We decided a long time ago that we'd eventually get a dog. I was thinking we'd get an older dog first, but I'm not gonna say no to a puppy! 
I'm starting to notice a theme 
 We've only had black and white pets so far!
 Completely unintentional, but I thought it was pretty funny!
 

NewYork1303

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For introductions, make sure that you put the cats first. It would be best if you could get the puppy some amount of training right away and use a leash when he's around the cats so he can't develop bad habits like chasing them. I'm not super sure how to introduce cats to a puppy. Maybe crate him and let the cats approach if they want. The main problem is going to be getting that dog not to bark or do much to scare them. 

Knowing a lot about dogs, I have a hard time believing that dog is a pom/lab mix. I would guess more likely a herding breed border collie or something. It'll be hard to tell until he's older though. One thing to know if this is the true mix is that pomeranians are very yappy and active. Also this is a mix known to create health and temperment problems. If he does have a herding breed in him, it will be a big challenge to train him not to chase the cats. 
 
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eck1kaylie

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For introductions, make sure that you put the cats first. It would be best if you could get the puppy some amount of training right away and use a leash when he's around the cats so he can't develop bad habits like chasing them. I'm not super sure how to introduce cats to a puppy. Maybe crate him and let the cats approach if they want. The main problem is going to be getting that dog not to bark or do much to scare them. 

Knowing a lot about dogs, I have a hard time believing that dog is a pom/lab mix. I would guess more likely a herding breed border collie or something. It'll be hard to tell until he's older though. One thing to know if this is the true mix is that pomeranians are very yappy and active. Also this is a mix known to create health and temperment problems. If he does have a herding breed in him, it will be a big challenge to train him not to chase the cats. 
Thanks for your response!

The cats absolutely come first. They're my babies. I've seen how reclusive and antisocial my parents' cats have gotten since they got an incompatible puppy (and even before that, when they brought in an incompatible cat), and I'm absolutely not willing to let that happen. My girls are so happy and social, and I want them to stay that way. If this puppy isn't compatible with my cats, he'll have to go back. He's cute enough and young enough that I don't feel too bad about thinking that; he'd get snatched up again quick, and there are plenty of other dogs and puppies looking for homes.

I definitely won't be leaving him alone unsupervised with them until I'm absolutely, 100% sure that he won't chase or scare them. My plan when we first bring him home is to keep him restrained and see how they react. I'll likely keep him confined in our bedroom at first, with a baby gate up when we're home/supervising so the girls can investigate if they want. They definitely won't be pleased at first, but I'll give it a few days (maybe a couple of weeks) and see if they relax at all. 

I don't know much about dogs, but I actually don't know how a pom/lab mix would even happen. If he is that mix, I sure hope mom was the lab! 
 In any case, I only really care about what breed(s) he might be is because I know certain breeds can be harder to train to coexist with cats. They did say that he's cat-friendly, which I'm hoping means that he and mama are already living with a cat. I guess I'll see when we go visit. 

Fingers crossed that all goes well. I'll do some more googling and hope that more people respond here 
 
 

NewYork1303

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Thanks for your response!

The cats absolutely come first. They're my babies. I've seen how reclusive and antisocial my parents' cats have gotten since they got an incompatible puppy (and even before that, when they brought in an incompatible cat), and I'm absolutely not willing to let that happen. My girls are so happy and social, and I want them to stay that way. If this puppy isn't compatible with my cats, he'll have to go back. He's cute enough and young enough that I don't feel too bad about thinking that; he'd get snatched up again quick, and there are plenty of other dogs and puppies looking for homes.

I definitely won't be leaving him alone unsupervised with them until I'm absolutely, 100% sure that he won't chase or scare them. My plan when we first bring him home is to keep him restrained and see how they react. I'll likely keep him confined in our bedroom at first, with a baby gate up when we're home/supervising so the girls can investigate if they want. They definitely won't be pleased at first, but I'll give it a few days (maybe a couple of weeks) and see if they relax at all. 

I don't know much about dogs, but I actually don't know how a pom/lab mix would even happen. If he is that mix, I sure hope mom was the lab! 
 In any case, I only really care about what breed(s) he might be is because I know certain breeds can be harder to train to coexist with cats. They did say that he's cat-friendly, which I'm hoping means that he and mama are already living with a cat. I guess I'll see when we go visit. 

Fingers crossed that all goes well. I'll do some more googling and hope that more people respond here 
 
Sounds like a good plan! 
 

hellocat

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It's really a long story, but funny. 

Some people commonly think cats and dogs are born to be each other's enemy, but in the fact, cats and dogs do live peacefully if pet parents train them well. Also, it's wonderful to have a cat and a dog in the same house. It's interesting to know about cats and dogs. I'd prefer to have them together.
 
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