Old Family meets New Puppy
Bringing a new puppy into your old family is going to have a few problems. Older cats and dogs aren’t going to like it - and why should they? You have now committed to sharing your love - if not completely devoting the next year to raising the new puppy.
Cats will often react with hissing, hair standing on end and the desire to attack the new puppy. This will or should frighten your puppy. He/she may react by shivering, whimpering, or crying, unsure of why this new creature just doesn’t seem to love him/her just like everyone else seems to.
Introduce them slowly. A good idea is to rub a towel on your new puppy to get the scent of the puppy on the towel. Lay the towel somewhere in the house (preferably on tile) where your cat will encounter it. Your cat or dog will get the opportunity to smell your puppy without having to see your puppy, which will help. Make sure the puppy sees a vet prior to actual encounters with the other pet as well to reduce the risk of spreading illnesses.
Put your puppy somewhere where the other animals will not be able to directly encounter the puppy, such as in a crate or in a room with a door. The other animals can smell the puppy, see the puppy, but not touch the puppy. Slowly introduce the puppy to the animals over time, at least a few days to a week after the puppy has come home. Stay close and separate the animals if needed as soon as possible. If it is just growling or paw raising, don’t interfere unless you feel the puppy is in very real danger.
Until the old and new family have become more comfortable with one another, don’t leave them alone together without sufficient protection for the puppy. Over time, they will adjust to one another and can learn to live happily - it just takes time and positive reinforcement.
May 05, 2008 | | New Puppy