I have a new pup. my partner has two cats. We live in seperate houses. My existing two dogs hate cats with a passion which makes things difficult for us sometimes. I am hoping that i won't have the same problem with this dog. i would like her to spend time at my partners house to get used to the cats. Is there a best way to introduce them or should it be left to chance under supervisoin?

Hi i have just posted this advice on another thread, this should work really well for you. I have used it a few times and usually the cats will hiss and spit but after the initial meeting they tend to tolerate oneaonther and i have never had them fight.

I tend to find a couple of old towels wash them and then put one in the dogs bed and the other in the cats, after a week put the dogs in the cats and visa versa. This way the dog is used to the scent of the cat. Then i change the bedding back again so they can smell their scent and the new pets mixed together. Then i tend to slowly introduce them to one another, one of you hold the cat and one hold the dog, if things are going well seperate them and tomorrow do the same only let them meet, be ready to jump in if things get a little nasty. usually i have found the cat will run off and hide and the pup will want to play....A few days later and you should be able to leave them alone together. dont be scared if the cat tries to scratch the puppy that is her way of telling the puppy to get lost, the pup will soon learn that being scratched is not nice and wont bother the cat. I have 3 cats and 1 dog and i have a pup coming in 6 weeks and so far it has worked for me.

Make sure the puppy knows the cat is not a toy, use some good commands with him NO!, LEAVE IT! etc.. this will remind the puppy who is in charge.

Hope that helps.

Many thanks to both of you......i will try and be confident.

I would say that it is fine to leave them unsupervised as long as the cats have an easy escape route.

Cats are faster and more agile than puppies and as long as they have somewhere to jump up or a catflap to get outside they will be fine.
We have put a stairgate up so our cats can get some peace away from our puppy who does get a bit boisterous with them.

My cats are forever scratching her nose and unfortunately is hasnt put her off at all.
She just chases them with blood pouring down her nose
Hope it works a bit better for you

if you are to stand any chance of peace between the cats and dog it is important to introduce them as early as possible but it will be easier if you have taught the 'leave'/'off' command first so that you can stop the puppy getting too close. Might be worth putting the puppy on a lead when you introduce them so that you can control it a bit but I'd agree with the advice others have given, escape routes etc and the cats will run if they need to. try to make it a pleasurable experience for the puppy, using treats so that they think a cat is a good thing not a toy. good luck!!