What is the best way to introduce my fiancee’s 12 year old dog to my 2 year old cat?

Rebecca S: What is the best way to introduce my fiancee’s 12 year old dog to my 2 year old cat?
My fiancee’s father recently passed away and his childhood dog must now come live with us. Duncan is a soft-coated Wheaton Terrier, and is 12 years old. He is extremely aggressive towards other animals, including birds, cats, other dogs, even alligators (they lived in FL.) We have living in our apartment with us our 2 year old cat, Truman. Truman is very easy going, and loves all people and has never had a problem with other animals, he is around other dogs and cats all the time. What is the best way to make this household work? What can I do?

Answers and Views:

Answer by jfahd
when that dog is least expecting it, you throw that cat like a football, right at the dog’s snout! you take a video of that, and put it on youtube.

Answer by sum_dum_bok
I don’t know much about dogs, but I know that when you introduce new cats to a household, you should keep them in seperate area where they can smell eachother under the door and introduce them gradually.

Answer by andrea
take it slow frist u hold the cat with the dog around
let he/her sniff it thin c what happends

Answer by crrousey
i would slowly introduce them if it doesn’t work I would get a water bottle and when either one one of them try something spray them

Answer by mimikat08
you could probably introduce them once and if that doesn’t work out then introduce again and if something goes wrong shout at the dog to be nice and if nothing goes wrong then give the dog a treat or go for a walk and if this is not what you want to do get some pro advice on how to train your dog

Answer by Sarah L
First make sure there are familiar things to the dog in its new home. He won’t feel as upset with the move. Then put your cat in a room where the dog cannot see it, only smell it from underneath the door. After awhile (a couple days) after the dog has gotten kind of used to the cat, put the cat somewhere (a pet taxi or something similar) where the dog can smell the cat and see it, but it can’t harm it. Hopefully the dog will get used to the cat and they can live in harmony without any barriers. Keep in mind, this can take awhile, days at the least. The older they are, the harder it is to introduce animals to knew things, people, and other animals. If not, just try to keep them separated. It’s not the greatest thing, but I don’t think there’s much else you can do.

Answer by Brandy T
I have a similar problem…except I have a psychotic cat and my boyfriend has a very loving dog. First meeting didn’t go well, my cat is very territorial and honestly, don’t know if it’s every going to work out between them. Now with you, I suggest gradually introducing the two, make sure your hate has some sort of haven which the dog cannot get to. Possibly consider having a cage for the dog.

Answer by laneybeans
Do not overwhlem either of them by making them feel like one animal is favored over the other.

For example, bring them both to a neutral spot (like a park, public area, etc) because if you take them to your house where the cat is comfortable, the dog may feel threatened since he is out of his comfort zone, and vice versa.

Have someone that Duncan knows hold him while you hold Truman. Having them both in a neutral environment, around people they trust will make them feel the most secure in meeting a new pet and people.

Second, treat them both the same when introducing them. Neither animal will feel “ganged up” upon.

Well, the problem you may face is that they will NEVER get along with each other.

Good luck!