Please Help - new dog has forced cat to live in basement

[juliek@ptialaska.net]

We have a new rescue dog in our home and dog has scared our cat to the basement where it will not come out. If possible can anyone send me ideas or links that might assist me in solving this very disheartening event. Possible dog has never seen a cat.

Seems I put this question in my profile - Thanks to Traci, she has pointed me in the right direction.

Thank you. And advance thanks to anyone who might send me some ideas in how to get the cat 'un-scared' of the dog (who has never seen a cat). Too bad we didn't know that when my husband brought the dog in the house.

juliek

[Traci]

Julie, how old is your dog, and what breed? When did you bring the dog into your home? Do you know what kind of history the dog has around children and other pets?

How old is your kitty? Did you take time for proper introductions? (slow and brief introductions at a time, supervising at every minute, providing your kitty a safe "haven" in which to retreat when scared or apprehensive - teaching the dog the cat has boundaries that shouldn't be crossed - such as food/water dishes, litterbox, favorite napping and lounge spaces, not to be chased or intimidated, etc).

Ultimately, the dog should be trained to respect the cat and the cat's boundaries, and the cat kept safe from advances if he/she is stressed, hides, runs in fear etc. Your kitty probably feels the new dog has invaded his/her space and territory in a very abrupt manner. Even though the dog may have a good disposition, you should not assume you can trust the dog and cat together when left alone, so please, keep them separated in separate rooms when you're not there to supervise, and until you can get some sort of training/introduction stages in place.

If you can provide the dog's age, breed, history, temperament, etc, and a little about your kitty, what steps you've taken so far, we can try to help further...

[k9Karen]

Unfortunately, it is natural for cats and dogs to distrust each other. Personally, I think the animals can work this out on their own, but the dog needs to know that you expect him to accept the cat (you are the pack leader here). The cat will do whatever it wants, but if the dog is really anti-cat, you have your work cut out for you. Dogs desire your approval, so I'd suggest slowly introducing the cat to the dog. Be nice to the cat and the dog will see that the cat is important to you. Since the dog desires your approval, he will see that he must be nice to the cat.

It's also possible that if the dog has never seen or interacted with a cat, he is simply curious, and curious dogs can sometimes be a bit uncouth. They are litterally bulls in china shops and can put themselves into situations that are far from optimal. As he becomes accustomed to the presence of the cat, hopefully this will lessen and things should improve.

[Mou Chat]

Well, I'm not as "sweet" as the other girls, so I can't help. In my
world the cat was there first......so.