After YEARS of wanting a labrador to join our family we are finally collecting him(Oliver) 4 weeks today!!!
I gave up work a year ago & have 2 children 10 & 12 ( who are also looking forward to our new family member! But... I also have 2 cats ( who will be 6 at the end of the year (may I add very spoilt cats, who are really part of the family aswell) even though ,I thing it will all be OK Eventually, I'm a little concerned as to how the cats will accept Oliver, We are getting a crate for initial H/Training & I guess also for his own protection from the cats paws, although ,they really are NOT vicious, Can anyone tell me if they have "lived" through this and come out the "other" end to a happy content household?

Hi, I have had labardors for a long time now i also always have a cat,I can honestly say that never have I had a problem with the Cats and any puppy I have brought in,obviously puppies are curious and tend to explore the other animals but I would always put my money on the cats to put the puppy in his/her place with a good warning,Labs are not usually stupid and usually get the message very quicky.
The one thing you cant do is force them to get on usually the cats have there routine and favourite places and the dog his and My cats have never been buddies with the dogs just agree to differ and live in harmony.
I have had friends who had kitten and puppy together and they have snuggled up together in bed but and older cat would not do that as far as Im aware.
Why do you need a crate for house training? I have never put a lab in a crate/Cage and not ever had a problem with the old newspaper near the door thing.I feel crates are a current trend and dont agree with them as Ive seen the negative side to them being used of cousre others can and probably will disagree with me.(This I hasten to add is only my opinion)
Good look with your pup and feel free to ask anything you like at anytime.

Welcome to the forum.
I have never owned a labrador...saving that for my old age <ducking> :P But I have introduced puppies to adult cats and haven't ever had any major problems. The cats soon let the puppy know who is boss. I would just let them get on with it and not turn it into a big issue. At first make sure that the puppy does not harass or corner the cats. If they feel threatened they will strike out and although if they catch the puppy's nose this will be a lesson well learnt, you can't afford for them to catch eye's. The cats will sulk for a while, but eventually all will settle down.

I agree with Mattie about the indoor cage. If you can manage without it I would. I have also seen the down side of cage training. I will never use one for my dogs in the house although I do use a car cage.

Leigh

Edited:20/01 at 10.29

I have a crate which has only had it's door closed twice when I was able to take it to a show (for when I went to the loo), it sits in the corner of the kitchen next to table, and is used as a dog bed! Another bed is under the table!

I am going to Holland with two of the bitches, and will need it then for the coach, and hotel.

Crates can be useful things, but I would prefer not to sit a dog in one if I could avoid it! If you are going to take the dog away with you, day camping or to hotels, then having them used to one will help if you do need to confine them in it.

We had a 9week old kitten and an 18 month old cat when we got our Labrador puppy, who was 8 weeks old.
Our puppy is now 19 months old and he and the kitten often snuggle up together at night.
The older cat isn't as cuddly anyway but still greets the dog with a lick and a purr.
The older cat definitely rules and tended to protect the kitten when the puppy play got a bit much!
The dog was 'put in his place' a couple of times by the cat and he learned his lesson.
It can be a bit hectic for the first few days/weeks but to see them so cosy together is lovely and worth it.
Sally

We got a lab puppy in August and we have 2 cats aged 11 and 6. We'd never had a dog before and I had the same worries as you. It has worked out fine. You will have to feed the cats where the puppy can't reach as he will eat all their food otherwise. You will need to give the cats an escape route. In our case one of the cats stood his ground and so the puppy has a healthy respect for all cats now. Oh and about the crate-we got one but hardly used it as our puppy was so good and it was just an eyesore and took up alot of space, and in the mornings it was fiddly to open with sleepy fingers and sometimes it was touch and go whether me or the puppy wet ourselves first :-) Anyway you're going to have great fun with your new arrival.I bet you can't wait. Let us know how it goes (what colour is he?)
Jane

"Ive seen the negative side to them being used " Mattie - can you explain this a bit more? Do you mean people using them to confine animals for a long period? We are hoping to have a new puppy next summer, and it will be 21 years since I've had a puppy, our last dog being a rescue, so I'm eagerly devouring all information to help us provide the best possible environment for our new arrival. When I had my two puppies in 1982 I had a play-pen with wire mesh around for them to be in when I was out, and that was fine. Howeve, we plan to get a Toller puppy this time, and I gather many of them are very good "jumpers" from an early age - so I wonder whether the play pen will work this time. I must admit I have reservations about putting a pet animal in a cage, but so many people seem to find the practice very beneficial - "dogs are naturally den animals" etc. Is it like so many practices OK if used wisely, and not abused?
Cathy.

Dear Cathy
If you click on 'search' in the top right hand corner of this page, then put in 'crate training' under 'keywords' and then press 'search' you will find lots of people's opinions on the pros and cons of crates.
Jane

Thanks for that information, Thistle.
Cathy

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-SpecTrain.htm#crate
I was directed to this site today from the Toller web-site and it has numerous articles about crate training, which may be useful to others who, like me, are considering the pros and cons.
Cathy.

Hi Fortis,sorry for the delay in replying,Im involved in Labrador Rescue and we have had a few in that have been stuck in cages for 20hrs out of twenty four,we are desperatly trying to get a four year old dog who is so traumatised he wont come out of the cage ! the children in the family find it fun to lock him in and bang the cage ! and a concerned family member told us this.he thinks its his life inside the cage..In there place they can be useful,I have a double guardsman cage in my car which is excellent as I pick up strange dogs all the time and it keeps my dogs safe when they are going to show,the park etc. plus at shows in summer I can lift the tailgate for them to be safe and cool, and in the house when puppies are small they can be safely confined,however I have never used one in the house for my own dogs though I do use the puppy playpens which are great.
Its Just like anything else dangerous in the wrong hands.
Its just now the breeders and everyone seem to recommend them,each to there own as they say.
Good luck with your new puppy

Hi
I have recently introduced a 6mth dobermann to the household which includes 3 afghans and 2 cats. your puppy obviously will try to sniff the cats and possibly chase them so make sure the cats have somewhere safe to go out of the dogs way.
Our other dogs soon accepted him after they sorted out who was going to be top dog, the cats took about 2/3 weeks to get "comfortable"with him, but now after having him around for about 5/6 weeks the cats will go and eat out of his food bowl as well as their own, but we do feed the cats seperately from the dogs.
I would suggest let them work it out for themselves but be on hand to stop any trouble brewing.

Hello -
Just want to say a big Thanks for all you're replies - I will let you know how it goes!
Its a Great site, compulsive reading.
Annie -