introducing cat to dog

[ArmfulOfRoses]

Will shortly be moving in with someone who has a dog, and we have a Bengal cat who is 2.

Looking for advice on making this as smooth as possible for both of them.

Dog is 11, very calm and well trained.
Cat is obviously King of the World.

We will all be moving into a new house so hopefully no preconceptions of ownership.
Cat will be able to escape upstairs, dog staying downstairs at all times.

Any tips?

[Micah]

Make sure the cat is higher up, upstairs, for example. So they feel in control, and are out if the way if the dog decides to chase.

Put the dog on a lead for a while so the cat can approach, especially if the dog gets excited by the cat.

Ime bengals are pretty good with dogs. They dont seem to know they should run away, which confuses the dog as they cant chase them. Its more like two dogs meeting, sniffing each other etc before they decide if they like each other.

[ArmfulOfRoses]

Thank you!
All parties had kind of assumed the cat would be in charge very quickly, with a couple of whacks to the nose to the poor dog should she not learn her place quickly enough
(By the cat obviously)

[MiddleClassProblem]

Start the cat off in your room with a blanket or towel that smells of the dog and vice versa. Having a baby gate or something on the stairs is always a good idea so that the cat knows the dog can't get up and the dog doesn't go up to have a nose even if he's not meant to.
As previous poster said, high vantage points like shelves or a book case the cat can climb to. I'm sure the Bengal will be in charge pretty swiftly!

[ArmfulOfRoses]

Cat will be allowed upstairs but not in bedrooms.
There is a large upstairs hallway though.
I would like to put a cat flap in the interior door leading to utility room also.

Am visiting the house where the dog lives this weekend so I think I'll take a tea towel and put it in the dogs bed for the duration, although cat is used to us returning from there smelling of the dog, it can't hurt