How to introduce a high prey drive dog to a 9-week-old kitten?

Question

I know loki is a very active and prey driven doggo and I know he won't deal well with a cat in the house (as he has had problems with young toddler on the first meeting) But there's nothing stopping my mum getting a cat and she really desperately wants one! How do I go about introducing my dog to a 9 week old kitten?? Even if there is no way we can have them in the same space together we have worked out a way of them being separate but still free in the house. Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Male | neutered | 1 year and 1 month old | 50 lbs

Jeffrey Milner · Accepted Answer

The best way to begin introducing a large dog to a cat is with a basket muzzle, on a leash, with extremely careful supervision. This is particularly true if you already know that Loki has a high prey drive. If Loki is a Border Collie, his intelligence may work for you or against you depending on his temperament. It is all about positive reinforcement in this sort of situation, and taking things slowly and carefully. I would not throw the kitten and dog together in the same room freely right away. Keep one of them in a crate and the other outside of it so they can see and sniff each other but not have any direct contact. After a couple of days, I would try the above thing I mentioned ( you will obviously require your mom's help with this ), making sure to have plenty of treats available on hand to reward any sort of positive response. If there is any negative response or act of aggression, do not punish Loki. Simply end the interaction and walk away for a few minutes, return, and try again. Punishment is ineffective in this instance and in most in my opinion. Once you are convinced after several sessions that Loki is not acting in an aggressive manner, try the same exercise but without the basket muzzle. Continue to do this until you are comfortable enough that they are buddies instead of foes. Hope this helps.

How to introduce a high prey drive dog to a 9-week-old kitten?

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