Choose A Good Place And Time
For the place, you will want the first introduction to happen in a neutral space where both animals can be free to explore one another.
The best option is to actually make the first introduction outside of the house completely such as across the street from the house or in the backyard. If this is not possible, you can make the introduction inside the house but in a common area such as the living room.
For the time, it should be after your older dog has had their daily exercise. If they are already calm and quiet, the introduction is much more likely to go smoothly. However, the dog shouldnt be too exhausted that they actually need to sleep. Just tired enough that they are calm and quiet but not sleepy.
What Should You Avoid Doing
While there are many great things you can do to help them live together happily. There are also some thing you should definitely avoid doing. In fact, not only will they have no effect on the relationship, they could even make things worse
Never Hit Either Of Your Pets
First of all, you should never hit either your pets, no matter how they behave around each other. While hitting them may fix the initial problem, in the long run its only going to cause even more problems to arise.
If you hit a good natured golden retriever, then you may even cause them to resent and dislike you. Later on down the line they may even become acting aggressively and biting. So never under any circumstances should you hit them!
Dont Hold Your Cat
Cats love their independence and if you hold them when youre introducing them to your golden retriever, then theyre not going to feel independent at all. This can even cause them think that theres a reason they should be worrying. Or give them a trapped feeling.
If youre not sure how your cat is going to react when they meet your golden retriever, dont hold them. Instead, give them plenty of different escape routes so they can leave if they want too. As well as this, give them plenty of places they can perch high.
Dont Lock Them In A Room Together
Just think, when are animals locked together in the wild?
Dont Use Shock Collars
Tips To Introduce Your Golden Retriever To A Cat
If youve decided that bringing home a new dog or cat is a good idea, then the next most important thing is to introduce them properly.
If you dont take your time doing this, it could potentially be dangerous.
However, most cats and golden retrievers can learn to live together peacefully if you set them up for success.
Here are some tips for introducing your golden retriever and cat:
Thanks to the Animal Humane Society for the tips above.
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What To Do If You Lose Your Golden Retriever
If your Golden Retriever Dog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:2. Report the lost pet on the .3. Telephone the local vets to see if someone has handed in your missing pet.4. Phone the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Pounds.
Why Does My Golden Retriever Chase Cat
When a Golden Retriever chases a cat, the reason behind it is that they are following their instincts or they will just chase a cat to play with them.;
Golden Retrievers are born of their innate hunting instincts born out of their wolf ancestry. As they were originally bred for hunting they would run for the game and retrieve for their master.
And these days Goldens are bred as a companion dog breed.
But this can be solved, you can either redirect your dogs attention to a toy, and in this way, both your dog and cat can get settled down.
If the problem persists, you can consider training or outside help. Further training and assistance would be needed to cope with this problem.
Chasing is also a sign that your dog might need more exercise, but most of the time your Golden Retriever will not harm the cat, its just a playful side.
To create a friendship you need to train both of them, with proper obedience training and socialization, you can stop these chases.
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Control The First Introduction
For the first introduction, its better to have someone help you and control the leash of the new dog while you hold on to the older dogs leash.
You should not restrict their movements much. Let them sniff and explore each other freely, and you should encourage your older dog to explore them using quiet and calm praises.
You should also stay calm but happy during the first introduction. Your dog will sense when you are stressed or anxious and they will get stressed and anxious themselves, which is the last thing we want to happen.
Common Mistakes Owners Make When Owning Both A Cat And A Golden Retriever
To give your dog and cat the best chance at enjoying each other , avoid the common mistakes below.
- Rushing introducing them. Dog and cat relationships take time to develop, so be patient and take it slow.
- Not giving each animal a safe dog- or cat-free space. If one of your pets is feeling stressed and they cant go be alone, things could get ugly.
- Letting the dog and cat alone with each other too early .
- Not getting professional help. If youre having problems with your pets getting along, dont be afraid to invest in getting help from a professional trainer.
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Golden Retrievers Love To Please Their Humans
Aside from innate intelligence, a Golden Retriever is easy to train because he likes to please his humans. But what does that have to do with living with a cat?
A lot. For one, it makes it easier for you to teach your retriever to behave properly when interacting with the cat. Through positive reinforcement, the dog learns how you want him to conduct himself when the cat is around.
A retriever is also keenly attuned to his humans that he can easily understand that a cat is a member of the family and not prey.
Do Not Make Assumptions
Although golden retrievers are considered great pets and service dogs, do not make assumptions regarding how they will behave around your cat.
They are animals with animal instincts. There is no guarantee that your dog will get along with your cat. However, they may learn to tolerate one another as long as they dont cross each others boundaries.
The good news is that there are many households where Golden retrievers and cats live together in harmony. Good planning and observation of your pets are key.
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They Lack Predatory Instincts
Dogs are hunters by nature, which is something most people forget. Even domesticated dogs still have some predatory instincts, which is why some dogs will run off chasing squirrels, cats, or other small animals when they see them. They wont necessarily kill them, but they will still chase them instinctively.
Goldens have very weak predatory instincts and some goldens have none at all. This is one of the many reasons why goldens can coexist peacefully with other pets in the same household.
This is one of the main reasons that goldens can get along very well with cats as well.
Dogs And Cats Can Live Together
There are people who like dogs and people who like cats. However, what about those of us who like both?
Dogs and cats can become the best friends in the world, or at least learn to coexist peacefully. If you already have a cat at home and want to add a dog,choosing the right breedwill contribute greatly to a harmonious relationship.
Some breed groups are more likely to get along with cats than others. In general, these breeds are affectionate and sociable.
Spirited Terriers, on the other hand, were developed to hunt and kill vermin. A fast-moving cat can trigger these feisty predator instincts. And hounds are ready for the hunt. No cat will appreciate being the target of this kind of attention.
Finally, dogs of the shepherd group have a strong desire to gather everything that moves, including their owners and children. Some cats might not tolerate this.
Note that most dog breedscan live peacefully with a cat if they are socialized when puppies and are trained to leave the cat alone.
Teaching your dog to leave and stay can strongly help keep the peace.
Appropriate introductions are also useful and it is a good idea to ensure that the cat always has an escape route. Never leave your new dog alone with your cat until you are sure that there wont be any issues.
The individual personality of the dog and cat will also come into play. For example, an older cat who likes to be left alone may not mix with an overly playful puppy.
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Introducing Your Ragdoll To A Dog
If youve decided that the pros of having both a Ragdoll and a dog outweigh the cons, youll have to know how to properly introduce your two pets. It must be handled with care. If not done correctly, it could forever hurt their bond.
The first step is to have both animals under the same roof, but separate for the first few days. You want both animals to have safe spaces but still be aware there is another animal in the home.
Although they cant see each other, they can still hear and smell the other animal.
After a few days of this, you can begin to introduce both animals to one another at a distance. Try feeding you Ragdoll and dog on opposite sides of a door. This builds trust and helps both animals associate the rewarding experience of a meal with the new animals.
Additionally, you can let the animals view one another for a short time through a barrier.
Often, dogs get too excited meeting a cat for the first time and could frighten your Ragdoll. To refocus your dogs attention, have your cat in view, but do not make it the center of attention. Use toys or treats as your dogs main focus.
Scent is also really important when introducing two pets. After a few days, exchange their bedding. Both animals can get used to new smells without it being too overwhelming.
With luck, the first face to face meeting will go over well. But it may take weeks or even months for both animals to feel completely comfortable together.;
Reward Efforts Of Getting Along And Punish Anti
Dog and cat training is generally about teaching behavior by rewarding when they follow instructions and punishing when they dont. We do not need to say this, but hitting and other physical punishment is a complete nay!
Instead, reward expressions of friendship and punish when the kitten puffs and hisses at the Golden. We call this positive reinforcement and it works best with Golden Retrievers.
On the other hand, it may be a good idea if you want to seek the help of a professional dog trainer. Check this awesome video for extra tips on how to train your Golden to stay away from the cat.
Its important to always keep in mind that, with a Golden, you always have the upper hand in training them to befriend cats because of their good-breed traits. Dont be deterred if it takes a while.
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What Qualities Should A Cat Breed Have For A Golden Retriever
This is a good question, as much as dogs, cats can have very distinct personalities by breed.
The last thing you want is a cat that is highly independent and naturally aggressive towards other animals. While individual cats can have ill-advised personalities for compatibility, there are several qualities that a cat might want to possess to get on with a golden retriever.
Some things to think about might be;
- Sociability
- Family friendly
- Loyalty
Sociability in a cat will be quite important. Cat breeds like the Singapura are known for being bad with strangers and most have been street cats.; Your golden retriever will be constantly trying to make friends with the cat, especially early on. You might as well pick a cat breed that has the personality to be social back.
Tolerance will be helpful, especially if you have, or plan to have puppies. Golden retrievers puppies perceive the world in the constant journey to investigate and play with things. A cat will undoubtedly receive attention, whether it wants to or not. The cat is likely to be constantly provoked into action. The cat breed that tolerates this will undoubtedly save your golden retriever from nose scratches.
Patience is a virtue they say. Your cat will certainly need it as the craving for attention might be incessant in the early stages
S To Take When Introducing The Dog And Cat
;Patience is key! ;
Introducing a new pet to an existing pet should be done slowly and calmly. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast! So take things slow and everything will go smoothly, preventing you from having to go back in steps.
When you first bring home your new dog or new cat, keep the animals separate for a few days. Put the original pet into a room they are comfortable in and let the new pet explore the house and get used to their new home!
Rotate around with what animal gets put in a room and which animal gets the rest of the house. They will get used to hearing and smelling each other in the home environment. During this time, you can work on training the pup to be calm in the house and other tasks, such as sitting and paying attention to you when you call their name. These will come in handy during the first physical meeting of the two.
Goldens absolutely love meeting new people and new animals, so they may get a little excited during the first full meet.
Starting out with the first sight meeting, its best to have one animal in a crate, so they can see each other but they cant get too excited and chase anyone, so no one gets scared. Once they are calm with each other in the same room and a crate , you can move to having the dog on a leash.
Keep a close eye on them, make sure the interactions are always supervised, and take enough time where both animals are comfortable before leaving them alone .
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Breeds Thatll Get Along With Cats
Curious about the best companionship possible between doggo and cat?; Youll find that not only are Golden Retrievers great cat companions but so are Boxers, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, and Beagles, amongst others. Despite the myth, dogs and cats can be great friends as long as you allow them to figure each other out on their own time!
Golden Retrievers are amazing family dogs, and this includes your familys cat as well. While proper introduction and training are important to make sure their first meets go well, you can rest assured that your Goldens easy-going temperament will win over even the crankiest cat theyre just that loveable!
What To Do If You Find A Lost Golden Retriever
If you find a Golden Retriever Dog or any other pet and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:2. Register the missing pet on the .3. Contact the Local Council to collect the lost animal.4. Take the pet to the local Animal Pound assigned to your area.5. Take the animal to the local Vet Clinic who normally scan the animalâs microchip and contact the registered owner of the pet.
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Dont Leave Them Alone
Never leave a cat and dog alone until you are sure they are comfortable with each other.
If you walk away while they are still watching each other, you may regret it when you return. The cat or dog could be scratched, bitten or otherwise injured.
Even if there are no visible injuries, unsupervised interactioncould traumatize an animal to the point where he remains terrified of other animals for the rest of his life.
Best Dog Breeds That Get Along With Cats
If you wish to share your home with both cats and dogs, look for a dog breed that’s typically friendly with felines. While it ultimately comes down to the individual dog , certain breeds have tendencies that help them get along with other species. For example, many working dogs were bred to watch over and protect their family members, including other animals. And some hounds, especially scent hounds, were bred to work closely in packs, so they are usually friendly with other furry family members. Sporting dogs, such as retrievers and spaniels, typically get along with anyone, including cats. And toy dogs were mostly bred to be loving companions even to other species.
Here are 10 dog breeds that often get along with cats.
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