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New Puppy Introductions: New Pets Enrich Furry Lives

by | Dec 27, 2022 | Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care | 15 comments

Did you recently adopt a new pet? New puppy introduction to pets — in my case, dog to cat and puppy to dog introductions — is one kind of dog school that everyday dog obedience classes may not teach. While dog to dog introductions are a bit easier in some ways, puppy to cat introductions work very well when both pets are supervised. Puppy school starts in your home with basic dog training. When it involves a smaller pet like a resident cat, safety is also an issue. Refer to cat-to-cat intros here. You can also find some pet matchmaking tips in this post.

On Sunday, May 31, 2020, a stray puppy showed up at our house. We didn’t plan on a new pet, especially since Bravo-Dawg developed major health challenges–read about that here. As it turned out, Bravo adopted the new baby as his very own comfort-pup. They remained inseparable until we lost Bravo in March 2021. Sometimes God sends unexpected blessings that have four feet and fur. So now Shadow-Pup has joined our household, continuing to be our comfort puppy.

Healthy interactions with other pets (and species) offer unique environmental, social and emotional enrichment opportunities. No, I’m not talking about grazing in the kitty litter box! The critters actually learn each others’ language, entertain one another, and teach respect for one another. In the best situations, they develop a bond that’s equal to the love we share with them. Success in this arena prepares baby animals to better deal with future challenges, like visiting the vet and being handled by strangers with weird hospital smells.

We have no history on Shadow. Here’s a blog focussing on him. But for the purposes of this post, it appears he had a history with other dogs or at least a Mom-dog that taught him proper puppy manners toward adult dogs. We introduced Shadow and Bravo through solid doors first. And a first meeting outside in the yard happened with the pup on leash, Shadow threw himself on his back at Bravo’s feet, allowing sniffs, and alternated with face-licking. Good puppy! And Bravo, already gentle and respectful of Karma-Kat (due to the training outlined below), was equally respectful.

dog cat intros

Puppy Training 101

Science has shown us that 2-3 or even sometimes 1-minute puppy training sessions are a far better learning experience than an hour of learning. I did this with Magical-Dawg when he was a baby, and have continued this puppy training practice with Bravo-Boy. He already has a pretty reliable “sit” (both verbal AND hand signal — with or without treats!). He just had a light-bulb moment with the “down” command. I trained in 90-second periods, two or three times a day.

Bonus: Karma-Kat can be a distraction but he wanted to train alongside Bravo, so there’s some sibling competition there. Using everyday situations helps your puppy learn quicker, have more fun, retain more, and it will be more enjoyable for you both during puppy training exercises. You’ll want to review puppy play and care tips if it’s been a while.

puppy training

New Puppy Introductions & Dog Training

But wait — what about new puppy introductions? How does puppy training fit into dog to cat introductions? To be honest, when I introduced Magical-Dawg to Seren-Kitty all those years ago, their situation was very different. Neither one had ever met the other species, and a high drive German Shepherd pup challenges the best of us.

puppy & veterinarian

Bravo continued his vet visits once a month for nail trims and loving attention from his “girlfriends” at the staff. That helped immeasurably to reduce his anxiety, stress, or fear when he needed cancer treatments. We’ll plan on similar puppy-happy visits with Shadow.

Dog to Cat Introductions: Enriching Their World

Whether or not your pets will love each other immediately or take time to warm up to each other depends on several factors. Breed differences, socialization, ages, and health all influence the new puppy introductions. Terriers or sighthounds, for instance, may have a tendency to chase and injure smaller critters. Cats typically dislike anything new — even if they accept other pets in the past, a newbie can prompt fear.

Bravo grew up with 7 littermates, 7 adult dogs, a couple of cats, and horses. Wow–we were fortunate he’d already been well socialized to other critters with good cat manners. His foster family didn’t allow dogs to pester the cats. He also came to us at 12 weeks, a bit older than many new puppy introductions. He’s also a Bullmastiff, a breed that’s not nearly as manic as pups of some other breeds (like Magic!)

Karma adored Magical-Dawg, and mourned him deeply. Our beloved GSD rescued the cat, and we were determined to help Karma find a new doggy love. Even so, we were vigilant to ensure safety between the pets during initial dog cat intros. After all, Bravo at 40 pounds could have easily hurt Karma just by sitting on him. Little did we know that a new puppy for Karma would prove to be equally rewarding for Bravo. Hey, treats and balls are fun but a kitty of his very own? Bravo won the doggy lottery!

Karma tolerates the pup, and we supervise since Shadow came with no cat skills whatsoever. In fact, Bravo used to step in to cut short puppy roughhousing to protect Karma. Now that Bravo has passed away, Karma and Shadow have become wrestling and tag buddies, and have learned how to inhibit tooth and claw for safe play. Read more about introducing dogs and cats in this post.

cat behavior

Dog Behavior & Cat Behavior Clues

Watch your pets’ body language to gauge their feelings. A tail-up greeting from the cat indicates a friendly approach. A canine play bow, an easy-going wag, and perhaps a yawn or two or rolling on his back says Rex means no harm. Delay the next step if you see the cat swish her tail or pin her ears flat to her head. That means she’s fearful and may become aggressive. Pushy dogs may place a paw on the cat’s back, or signal aggression with raise hackles, or a snarl.

Take care to curb the new baby pet’s enthusiasm. Puppies may not understand the “keep back!” signals of the older resident pet. Cats train puppies, too, but basic dog obedience goes a long way to keep pets safe. I used Bravo’s SIT command as a default to help keep him focused on me, rather the cat. Dogs train themselves to act badly by practicing poor behaviors–so I didn’t want Bravo to ever chase Karma. I also wanted him to practice being calm, cool, and confident to prepare for future potentially new/scary situations like those first veterinary visits or trips in the car to pet products stores.

Containing clueless youngsters inside pet carriers, or on leases, can be helpful. At our house, we love pet gates. They keep pets (and belongings) safe from gnawing teething puppies. On the plus side, gregarious pups don’t discourage easily and often wear down curmudgeonly residents, as long as you run interference and ensure safety.

new puppy introductions

New Puppy Introductions: Dog to Cat Introductions Tips

cat dog intros

The following techniques help ease introductions. In almost all cases, it’s best to take extra time rather than rush through the techniques. Don’t be afraid to start from scratch if one of the animals needs this help. I’ve flagged the steps that we used with Bravo and Karma.

  • Pheromone products can help reduce the stress of introductions. I used Feliway spray to help Karma-Kat feel more at ease. There’s a dog version (Comfort Zone with D.A.P.) for fearful puppies, too. A fearful pup is more likely to react with aggression, so it’s important to diffuse the stress.
  • For fearful cats that have no dog experience, I recommend setting up the isolation room with a solid door so the cat can’t see in. Since Karma had already shared positive experiences with a beloved dog, we set up our kitchen (with pet gates) as Bravo’s (and now Shadow’s) home base. If your new pup came with a favorite bed or toy, put this in his room. Familiar smells help keep him calm and reduce potential shy feelings. Isolating the new pup tells your cat that only a small portion of the house has been invaded, not all the territory. It also allows pups to build confidence in familiar surroundings.
  • Expect cats to posture or hiss and dogs to sniff, whine, growl or bark whether they’re new pets or current residents. Bravo ignored Karma, go figure! Shadow couldn’t get enough of the cat, though. But Karma-Kat self-inflated like a Halloween cat and kept his distance. I asked my husband to distract the pup with a toy and pet him, while I spent one-on-one time (with TREATS!) with Karma. Feel encouraged once the barking and hissing fade, especially if the canine “play bows” at the door or the pair play patty-cake-paws under the door.

  • After the pup has been in the room alone for a few days, and any hisses or growls have faded, bring out something the pup has scented, such as a plate of food where she just ate, and allow your cat to smell it. With Karma, dog training time means treats for the cat, too. Even the several daily 90-second sessions puppy training sped up the cat’s acceptance of a new family member. If the appearance of the cat equals DOG TREATS (or toys), you’ve turned the association into something positive for both.
  • When the cat is still fearful, schedule the pup’s potty breaks to keep them from seeing each other too soon. Put the cat in your bedroom during the dog’s travels to and from the backyard. For confident cats like Karma, the pup’s outdoor jaunts offered a new episode of Kitty TV through the window.
new puppy introductions
  • Replace the isolation room solid door with a baby gate so the pets see each other, and sniff or paw pat through the opening while safely separated.
  • Whenever possible make initial meetings in an open room with lots of space (with the pup on a leash for control!), and lots of cat second-story perches available. That way, the cat can check out the dog from her cat tree, well beyond nose-sniffing range, and feel more comfortable. That also prevents the pup from cornering the cat (or vice versa). Be sure to trim kitty claws to prevent your playful (or fearful) cat from injuring an inquisitive puppy nose or eyes.
  • Keep first nose-to-nose meetings to only five or ten minutes, and then give everyone a break and return the dog to his room. That also keeps the pair interested but not worn out by each others’ presence.
  • When the dog and cat willingly nose sniff, the cat cheek rubs the dog, and/or Rex play bows an invitation to a game, that’s great! Allow play for a few minutes at a time, but interrupt before either pet becomes overexcited. Bravo now invites Karma to play with play bows and barking. Karma often seeks out Bravo to tease him to chase–and we humans referee, of course. They’ve even begun to sleep together.
  • Continue to offer planned meetings for another week, monitoring the dog until he can control himself and respects the cat even when off leash.
  • Segregate the new pet alone in his “safe room” whenever you can’t directly sup

    ervise until you are satisfied that the cat and dog get along well. Be sure both have “safe places” they can retreat when necessary. The dog needs his space, too.

Shadow-Pup’s training education has just begun and will last a lifetime. Since I work at home, puppy training happens all day long at my convenience. GOOD dog!

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15 Comments

  1. Franklin Steele

    Great pictures! Lots of great tips, too. I thank you each week, and I’m thanking you, again.

    Reply
  2. Patricia H.

    Great blog and wonderful tips. Does the new puppy have German Shepherd in him? He’s so cute. He’s a wonderful addition to your family. I’m holding all of you up in prayer tomorrow for a miraculous outcome. God is good 🙏🙏🙏

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Thanks Patricia, we really appreciate your prayers of support. The puppy sure looks like shepherd–if a little small, but we really have no idea. As he grows, maybe his heritage will become more clear.

      Reply
  3. irenemchugh

    Just the other night I was saying we should adopt a cat. I don’t think this year is going to work for some of our plans, but I know that someday I’m going to want another catface. These tips are truly useful. The last time I introduced a dog and cat was years ago and I had no idea what I was doing.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      I hope you can get another catface, Irene. It’s really a fun combo to have both and see the interaction.

      Reply
  4. Adriana Martin

    I have four cats and indeed was a challenge when introducing Bella when she was a puppy. However things worked out. I didn’t have a clue on how to start the introduction I wish I had this guidance to avoid the many mistakes I made. But now we are all a happy family =)

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Hi Adriana, wow — yep, it can be a challenge with multiple animals. I typically recommend introducing the new pet to only ONE of the resident pets at a time (starting with most confident/accepting resident). That way, if the first pairing goes well, the other animals see that and can model on the success. *s* That’s all spelled out in detail in the book.

      Reply
  5. Beth

    These are great tips. We did something similar when we introduced our adult dog to our newly adopted adult cat. They ended up being quite compatible.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      That’s great, Beth. Adult-to-adult is a bit different than when you have a baby in the mix. So glad it worked out well!

      Reply
  6. Ruth Epstein

    Fantastic post and knowing there is a book out there to help you just makes life easier although Layla is scared of cats and will not get one because of that plus not having enough place in my house. I will pass this info on if I hear of anyone needing help

    Reply
  7. MARJORIE DAWSON

    Top quality advice from the best in the business. I know I can trust this kind of advice because you are there, doing this and you DO have a new pup being introduced. Thank goodness this is a book for dog/cay owners to refer to – THIS will make the job just that, a job not a ‘mission’.

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Awww, thanks so much Marjorie, coming from you that’s high praise! *wagging virtual tail*

      Reply
  8. Julia Williams

    Those are great tips! I’ve always had cats but have also always thought about adding a dog to the “family” too. One thing that stops me now is that my cats have had zero experience with dogs, so I’m afraid it wouldn’t turn out well.This post gives me hope that with the right approach and conscious effort, it might be ok. I’m bookmarking this in case I ever do decide to take the plunge!

    Reply
    • Amy Shojai

      Hi Julia, stay tuned! I wrote a whole behavioral case study about introducing my 9 year old cat Seren to the new 8-week-old German shepherd puppy (Magic). It was a process that started 6 months before the pup came home, and lasted another 18 months, because neither of them had been around other animals. Eventually we got there!

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Puppy Development: Stages of Puppy Development Birth to Two YearsAMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - […] meeting new or familiar people and objects with curiosity, they react with fearfulness. Learn about puppy introductions in this…
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  3. Dog Chewing: How to Stop Dog Chewing Behavior - […] now, Shadow-Pup adds to the chew-aholic fun. Shadow likes to chew sticks–yikes!–and has already got one […]
  4. Litter Box Problems? 7 Reasons Cats Snub the Box & What To Do - […] comfort means managing Shadow’s access to cat territory, including the litter box. We properly introduced them, and they respect…
  5. Potty Training Puppies? Here's How To House Train Puppies - […] If you have puppy-friendly adult dogs, like we have with Bravo (now a 120+ pound adult!), your puppy often…
  6. A Shadow of Hope: Adopting Bravo's Shadow for a Comfort Puppy - […] ← New Puppy Introductions: New Pets Enrich Furry Lives […]
  7. Work Goes To the Dogs & Cats: Take Your Pet To Work Week! - […] Karma-Kat soon won’t have bed space to share when Bravo (here, he’s 17 weeks old) reaches his full size!…
  8. Celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day! New Info On Pet-Work Benefits - […] Karma-Kat soon won’t have bed space to share when Bravo (here, he’s 17 weeks old) reaches his full size!…

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