There’s a lot to consider when you’re first starting your pet’s journey to coexistence. It’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security if problems don’t immediately arise. But rather than wait for things to go wrong, start things off on the right paw!
Yvonne joined me for a Dog and Cat Chat - my new 30 minute free coaching sessions - to find out the best ways to start integrating her new cat Lizzy with the household’s resident Bull Terrier, Sunny.
Key Moments[01:01] Cast of characters
[02:13] Should I foster a cat? Introducing a cat into a household with a dog and small children.
[02:49] Lizzy’s behavior after being introduced into the household
[04:13] The current state of affairs: The setup in the home
[06:13] Territory plans for Lizzy in the future
[07:09] House layout challenges
[07:48] Expanding territory: initial management ideas
[09:27] Current enrichment for Sunny
[11:30] Meeting individual enrichment needs before bringing two animals together
[12:22] Enrichment ideas for an excitable dog to get those zoomies in
[12:42] Recent adventures with using a flirt pole for enrichment
[13:40] Close play vs distanced play
[13:52] Using play to introduce new skills
[14:00] Knowing when to stop high intensity play
[14:40] Introducing a drop cue for energy regulation
[15:25] Enrichment ideas for Lizzy
[15:50] Why a cat might not be interested in toys
[16:43] Food stations
[17:15] Sunny’s stair behaviors and the adventure with guinea pigs
[19:54] Sunny’s adventures with Lizzy escaping to the second floor
[21:12] Finding threshold distance for beginning setups
[21:27] Initial setups: ideas for starting out
[22:10] Sunny the space reducing pup
[22:25] Lizzy the space seeking kitty?
[23:00] Progressive steps: Setup two
[25:16] Lizzy’s goals for the very first steps
[25:28] Sunny’s goals for the very first steps
[25:51] Establishing two levels of management
[28:02] Expectation management
[29:19] Training eating behaviors
Resourceshttps://www.chewy.com/outward-hound-tail-teaser-refill-dog/dp/113717?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12651121862&utm_content=Outward%20Hound&utm_term=&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V16tII_MtRDL6T2c9eDAJycV&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9Wwg1zuwbTTYeipM_7irc7c-jjCi1jHvLb9yxDwhLa0lngOCpq4FEoRoCaT4QAvD_BwE (Outward Hound Tail Teaser)
https://www.chewy.com/squishy-face-studio-flirt-pole-v2/dp/344223?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12195565633&utm_content=Squishy%20Face%20Studio&utm_term=&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V0K2p4TeocspMxP8sJDsRSm7&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9W8gUrUpGCuztdRjJ5TeuMm-krq8y9YJirYncZdU1UY8Gytt8V02yJBoCgs0QAvD_BwE (Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole)
https://www.chewy.com/frisco-silicone-treat-lick-mat-2/dp/258607?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12620219446&utm_content=Frisco&utm_term=&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V2A_09_tAJMsGkknuGK6Sdsn&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9WxBnFT3UIdPra-LOpIN2KdTBDhqy7GdzneL1OBqfFtiv4-VQ6r3KzxoC1QEQAvD_BwE (Frisco Silicone Treat Lick Mat)
https://www.amazon.com/Lickimat-Classic-Boredom-Alternative-Turquoise/dp/B086V7H3NT/ref=asc_df_B086V7H3NT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459485618384&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9603899304219407104&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007306&hvtargid=pla-905896838054&psc=1 (Lickimat Classic)
https://www.chewy.com/paw5-wooly-snuffle-dog-feeding-mat/dp/187882?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12620219446&utm_content=PAW5&utm_term=&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V2A_09_tAJMsGkknuGK6Sdsn&gclid=CjwKCAjwo8-SBhAlEiwAopc9W53on_I67XLdGaoK1_2O6T00XkwU65VWfTByv2UXXs4l37sQcMnq6hoCZHAQAvD_BwE (PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Dog Feeding Mat)
https://caninecompilation.com/make-snuffle-mat-for-dog/#11-how-to-make-a-machine-washable-snuffle-mat (DIY Snuffle Mat)