Have posted this in the dog house, but posting here for traffic as no replies yet!
I have recently moved in with my boyfriend, and need some help to introduce his dog and my cat harmoniously! I am waiting for a local behaviourist appointment, but they are booked up for the time being, so would appreciate some advice in the meanwhile please.
Dog is a 9 year old cocker spaniel, and cat is a sprightly 12. Cat is used to dogs, but dog is not used to cats, and his instinct is to chase my cat (when we very first moved in together the cat got out of his secure space and tried to say hello to the dog who pinned him down).
Have tried keeping the cat at a safe distance so the dog can see him but not get over stimulated, and give high value treats for ignoring the cat, but the (usually food obsessed) dog is not at all interested in anything if he can see the cat at all (even if I am holding cat at the end of the garden, and dog is inside the house). Also introducing cat smells without cat present.
I have heard about keeping the cat contained in a carrier for introductions, but my cat gets very distressed in his basket so would like to avoid that.
Can anyone suggest anything that we could try? Thank you.