The Boxer Dog Breed

Members of the Boxer dog breed are loving, loyal, and energetic family dogs. They are renowned for being good with children, though their exuberance may be a bit much for small children. The boxer dog breed is sometimes looked at suspiciously, as they were popular for use in dog fights before dog fights were made illegal. The boxer dog breed is German in origin. The breed name “Boxer” comes from the dogs’ method of standing on its hind legs and boxing its opponents. The boxer dog breed boasts longevity of eleven to fourteen years.
The boxer dog breed attitude, or temperament, is really what it is prized for. Loyal, loving, and energetic, these dogs will follow their masters anywhere. Fearless and fright-less, they make wonderful guard dogs. However, members of the boxer dog breed do need obedience training, which should start in infancy as the boxer dog breed is not considered to reach maturity until it is three years old. Fence jumping can also be an issue with these dogs as jumping in general seems to be a favorite past time. The boxer dog breed’s athleticism is almost unrivalled.
The boxer dog breed is a large breed of dog. Weighing in between 50 and 75 pounds, the males stand 23 to 25 inches tall at the withers. Females are shorter, standing between 21 and 23 ½ inches tall at the withers. Males are larger boned than females. The boxer dog breed is muscular, with even muscle tone throughout the body. Eyes should be expressive. Ears may or may not be cropped, but should sit widely apart on top of the head. If left un-cropped, ears should hang over so as to frame the face.
The boxer coat is short and shiny. Various shades of fawn and brindle are permissible, but white blotches may not cover more than one-third of the body.
Sadly, the boxer dog breed is highly susceptible to many diseases and ailments. Perhaps most common are joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Heart murmurs are also common, but while they need to be watched closely by a veterinarian, are often harmless. Epilepsy, which can be treated with medications, should also be watched closely. Bleeding disorders, intestinal problems, bloat, and various cancers are also of special concern to boxer dog breed owners.
By screening breeders well, it is possible to avoid many of the boxer dog breed health problems. They are great with children, which is rare for dogs of this size. While obedience training may sound daunting, it is well worth the work. Boxers are caring, loving animals who will quickly become old friends and intimate members of the family.

Understanding Pet Food Labels

Reading and understanding a pet food label is challenging. “Chicken n’ Fish Gourmet Dinner for Cats,” “Yum-Yum Premium Quality Chef’s Special Chicken De-Lite Puppy Chow,” “Brand X All-Natural Happy Paws Dog Food.” You’ve seen it all before: the catchy labels, the TV ads that try to make pet food look as tasty and appealing as what you serve your family to eat. But just what’s in that stuff? And whether it comes out of a can, a box, or a foil packet, how do you compare the nutrient values on different pet food labels? What does it all mean?
Product Name and Product Ingredients: 95 Percent, 25 Percent, or 3 Percent?
It should be pretty easy to tell what’s in a serving of pet food; alas, it requires a little work. The first order of business is to figure out if you’re getting what you think you’re getting. If the label says “beef,” how much is actually beef? The Center for Veterinary Medicine of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides a summary for consumers of pet food labeling rules.

There are three basic rules:
The 95 Percent Rule

If a product bears a name such as “Beef for Dogs” or “Tuna Cat Food,” the rules require that at least 95 percent of the product consist of the named ingredient – in this case, beef or tuna – not counting the water added for processing. If the name includes some other food, such as “Chicken ‘n Tuna Cat Food,” the two food items together must comprise 95 percent of the total weight, and the first-named product must be the one that predominates. (In other words, it can’t be called “Chicken ‘n Tuna” if it has more tuna than chicken.)
NOTE: This rule applies only to ingredients of animal origin. So, a can of “Chicken and Rice Dog Food” must contain at least 95 percent chicken.

The 25 Percent Rule
But suppose the label says “Shrimp Dinner.” If there is a qualifying word, such as “Dinner,” Entree,” “Platter,” “Formula,” etc., the named ingredient(s) must comprise at least 25% of the product – again, not counting added water – but less than 95 percent. This can be important. Suppose your cat doesn’t like fish (not all cats do). You might think that it will go for a food labeled “Chicken Dinner.” Not necessarily. That food may be only 25 percent chicken. Much of the rest may actually be fish. In fact, it may contain more fish than chicken as long as the two ingredients together comprise at least 25% of the whole.
The 3 Percent Rule

A third wrinkle in the labeling rules has to do with a seemingly simple innocent word: “with.” If a pet food label contains that word in its product name, there only has to be 3 percent of that product – not 95 percent or 25 percent – in the package. For example, while a product called “Tuna Cat Food” must contain 95 percent tuna, a product labeled “Cat Food with Tuna” only has to contain 3 percent tuna. So, it’s important to read the label carefully.

Ingredients vs. Nutrients: ‘Guaranteed Analysis’
OK, now you know what ingredients are in the can. But what about things like protein, vitamins, minerals, and the other substances that your pet needs for proper nutrition? This is where “guaranteed analysis” comes in.

The FDA rules require that pet food labels state the minimum percentages of protein and fat, and the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. Many manufacturers also list other nutrients as well. Dog food labels frequently include the minimum percentage levels of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and linoleic acid. Cat food labels will usually also list the quantities of taurine and magnesium, two nutrients that are essential for feline nutrition.

Moisture Content
The story would end there but for one complication: Different pet foods have different moisture contents. Dry pet foods have the least, “moist” pet foods have more, canned pet foods have the most. So, when comparing different labels, don’t mix apples with oranges. Compare one canned food with another, one dry food with another, and so forth. If you want to compare two different types of foods, you’ll have to do a calculation that takes into account the different moisture contents of the foods. If you’re feeling ambitious, the FDA website will tell you how.

A Comprehensive Approach
As important as it is to know what’s in your pet’s food, remember that there’s more to good nutrition than reading pet food labels. You also have to know what your pet’s nutritional requirements are. Check with your veterinarian for pet-specific advice. He or she is your best source of information.•

AKC Cavalier Spaniel

The AKC Cavalier Spaniel is beautifully small with dark round expressive eyes that are large but not too prominent. Its tail is sometime docked to no less than three times its length. The AKC Cavalier Spaniel has a conical muzzle and a flat skull. It also has a shallow stop, with well developed nose and wide nostrils. The ears are long with a lot of feathering. It also carries a silky coat on its flesh, which can sometimes be slightly wavy and comes in ruby, black and tan, tri-colour and Blenheim, which is a rich chestnut on a pearly-white background. On Blenheim dogs, a chestnut-red spot on top of the head and between the ears is preferred by breeders.

The AKC Cavalier Spaniel is an eager, highly affectionate tail-wagging dog. It is very lively, outgoing and sporty. These are fearless dogs that want to please their owners. They are intelligent enough to understand what you would be wanting and therefore are commonly easy to train and respond well to gentle obedience training.

These dogs are said to be naturally well behaved animals and they get along well with other dogs and also with the non-canine pets. AKC Cavalier Spaniel love and adore people and they require loads of companionship and love to be satisfied and joyfully happy. It is suggested that they should not be left alone by themselves all day long. They are descended from hunting dogs and love to prance in the vast outdoors. This breed sometimes shows signs of a chasing instinct and therefore should be kept well enclosed or leashed so he does not get lost or get run down by a car!

They are best with older considerate children and some can be quite reserved with strangers. The AKC Cavalier Spaniel is a compassionate companion. It has a noteworthy sense of smell and vision, thus making it valuable for small hunts in the open country. It should be noted that they do very well in competitive obedience.

The dog is great for an apartment life. They are reasonably active indoors and a small yard should be adequate for them. However, it should be noted that they do not thrive well in very warm conditions.
Exercise and grooming are two very important factors in any animal’s life. Whatever exercise you can provide will be just fine with this adaptable dog, as they will soon adapt to your family’s circumstances. Nevertheless, they greatly enjoy romping around in the park. As for the grooming part, comb or brush your AKC Cavalier Spaniel with a firm bristle brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as need be. The feathered hair on the ears is prone to get tangled and matted, so this dog should be thoroughly groomed often. The hair between the pads of its feet should be kept trimmed and the ears should be cleaned regularly. Always make sure the dog is thoroughly dry and warm after a bath. You should also check the eyes carefully for any signs of infection. This dog is a frequent shedder.

So all set to get your new AKC Cavalier Spaniel as a companion? If yes then make sure that when you are purchasing your AKC Cavalier Spaniel it is truly an AKC registered dog with a seal. Sometimes an AKC bought pet from a pet shop or a backyard breeder can be highly unsafe. As it can be an illegal seal of AKC. Make sure that you purchase you AKC Cavalier Spaniel from a dependable breeder. Now go ahead and enjoy your new friend!.•

How to be Loved by your Pets and Become Popular

My pets love me, at least that is what I conclude from their over all behavior all day. My lucky cat is a cute yet aggressive creature who never quits loving. I call her “kinky” I don’t know why just it was revealed or I was blessed by this name the moment I saw her. It was one dreadful night and my neighbors were having a late night party. I walked alone in my garden, on soft grass, unintentionally hearing the “hee haa” coming from adjacent wall. Indeed, the night was dreadful for me and my loneliness and wonderfully excited for my neighbors. At that particle moment , when I was seriously thinking about all troubles the life has given me and still giving , my always infuriated boss , my forever angry wife , My unhappy kids and what else my monotonous, dull ,weary and boring life ; It all prompted me to seriously think of suicide , scary enough of getting death by your own , I trembled heavily for just thinking about suicide . I closed my eyes and shouted “lord lord! Help me lord”

The answer came instantly “mee—AAA –ooo” I was shocked to hear such reply; I hurriedly opened my eyes to see a “little cat “looking like an angel wrapped in fur, just beneath my shoe. Yeah, I mistakenly put my heavy shoe on her soft tail. But I took it as a sign, a sign from HIM; yeah she came just to help me out of this misery. I took “kinky” in my arms, softness I felt and softened my heart became, and she was cute, small, shy, beautiful, and a cat. I felt her love instantly, I lamented over cruel men not caring for creature not termed as “human beings”.

I felt I would make me an example for all those who treat such cute animals with tyranny and indifference and I felt… “Ouch” I shouted, she bit my finger and cut my thoughts in to pain. However, to forgive is divine… I took kinky inside, in my home and in my heart and in my life.
The next day was a new beginning, the boss was happy since I was so up to the mark miraculously that day. My wife was glad as I looked romantic and loving that day, My kids were excited as I appeared to them a father who would take them to park with no arguments at all and above all my loneliness and solitude was replaced by socially encircled and happiness . What else I could wish for, I may sound dumb, but “kinky’s coming” made me popular in home, outside and everywhere and this popularity is ever increasing. Now I have 10 pets and my family includes humans and animals. From this wonderful experience I made the following guide instantly.

•Every man/woman/gay/lesbian must have at least one pet.
•Be a part of a pet community club, if there isn’t any in your area, start your own.
•Don’t be indifferent with your pets
•Don’t discourage them, they have hearts and feelings.
•Pets are blessings of lord, be blessed.
•Any will do , cat, dog or cats and dogs etc
•Get loved be popular and have a good life by just getting one pet
•Love them to get their love, check food manually, their sleep timings, their home, their fundamental rights of shelter, food, freedom within home etc.

How to train the Dachshund

The Dachshund may look funny, but he is proud, valiant and a very clever dog that needs special training to become obedient one. Many Dachshunds’ owners say that it is impossible to train so independent dogs – and they are partially right. Training a dachshund is not about learning him some commands, it is rather about convincing him that the cooperation with a trainer may be beneficial. Dachshunds are much too clever to simply make tricks for a click or eventually a bit of something to eat in the future. They must be sure that they will get fair price of their choice for their work and attention. Also, the Dachshunds must also know that their disobedience will ruin their whole day and thus all prizes and punishments should be adapted to the given dachshund. Commonly used training methods will not work.

One of the most important things during a Dachshund training is not to destroy his independent character. The Dachshunds were used to hunt down their prey alone in its lair, without any help from a handler. Such task can be performed only by a determined, ferocious and rash dogs, especially when we consider the fact that the typical prey of this dog is much bigger than the Dachshund himself. In Europe, where the pedigree Dachshunds must pass special hunting training, two Dachshunds should be able to corner a wild boar. The same task must be done by three to four terriers which are much bigger and heavier. Such skills cannot be learned, they must be inborn and can only be mastered through a proper training of the Dachshund. Fortunately, almost all Dachshunds have very strong hunting instinct and passing such exam is not a challenge for them.

Still, such skills are rarely used by the Dachshunds that live in apartments, where good manners are what really counts. There is a saying that Dachshunds owners divide into those who let their Dachshund sleep it their beds and those who lie. This is why every Dachshund’s trainer should be aware that there is always possibility that training the Dachshund may alter into training a trainer!

In fact every dachshund will do everything to have a properly trained owner who will satisfy his needs and, what is even worse, he is able to do it in only a few weeks, even as a puppy. Training the Dachshund, because of his stubbornness, curiosity and lack of attention is very similar to training a cat. Lessons for a Dachshund puppy should be very short and always include many elements of play. It is better to learn our Dachshund only a few commands and be sure that he will obey them than learn him much more, but with lower efficiency. And the most important thing: the best way to train the Dachshund is to show him that we care for him and we want to teach him all of these boring (from a Dachshund point of view) tricks not for our satisfaction, but for his own good.

It’s true that the Dachshunds are stubborn and they never grow up, but Dachshunds are also devoted to people who consider them not clowns or barking sausages on four legs, but brave warriors – which they really are. One of the most stupid things in the universe is to attack a Dachshund owner, especially the one who was able to train his Dachshund and gain his loyalty.

How to build a dog kennel

There are many people around the world who have manually build dog kennels with their own hands rather than going into the store and buying a readymade one. You would never know what kind of material has been used even though they look good, reliability would always be a matter of concern. Whereas if you compare the same with something that you build with your own hands, things would become reliable automatically as you would take utmost care in purchasing quality material and fix them to perfection.

By constructing a dog kennel on your own, you are sure to incorporate all the necessary specifications your pet or pets needs. All you need is the right kind of skills and knack for building such quality home for your pet. Finally some tips to consider before jumping on the construction side of a dog kennel.

Make sure the design you are planning on constructing has an easy mode of movement, allowing both yourself and your pet to transact with convenience. Some other specifications will further guide you to consider right construction layout and material to design the kennel which is properly ventilated and has a good drainage system.

Keep in mind that you will have to clean the kennel quite often and thus there should be scope for carrying out sanitation procedures. Your design should be able to cater this important step. Take an example where you have opted to use steel wires which are easier to wash or clean and disinfect quickly. They also provide an easy way for carrying out any sanitation procedures instead of plastic or wooden flooring. Also, at the same time your pet will remain safe from any injury due to splinting.

Incase you are planning on building on multi tier kennels then selecting concrete over any other material is always better as its strong and easy to clean with only one disadvantage. If the floor cracks, there are more possibilities that it may become home for parasites or insects with time and might cause some form of infections in the pets.

When talking of drainage, a better angled sloped is always good to cater all the dirt from the dog kennel compartment. It is also good for the pet owner as they don’t have to mop or wipe the floor every time a dog releases waste. With sloped compartments, there are higher possibilities of keeping the sweet home neat and clean. And with the usage of disinfectants, you can get rid of the dog body odor or can keep it to minimum.

The most important advantage of a customized kennel is the location you want to keep it. It can be dynamic and does not have to be fixed location. This also helps in overall maintenance of the kennel. Also, a customized kennel location should be away from the main door to avoid any eye contacts with moving people and objects to avoid any unforeseen barks that disturb your neighbors.

Cat Urine Odor

Like some homeowners have to deal with pet odors, Cat Urine Odor one of these. In fact, some believe that cat urine odor is one of the strongest odors of all pets. However, this does not mean that this odor cannot be removed, as there are known methods and products that are capable of getting rid of cat urine odor for you. The enzyme/bacteria method is believed to be the most effective method of removing cat urine odor, as it gets down to the root of the problem. This is because of the fact that the enzyme/bacteria process is capable of getting to deep areas where cat urine may be deposited.

Cause of Unusual Cat Urine Odor:

Among several factors that could affect the cat urine odor intensity, it is the diet and sex of cats that can be pinpointed. It is said that male cats have strong urine odor than female cats. This is because of the diet being high in protein, coupled by the male hormone in their bodies. Next in odor intensity would be female cats, and then dogs.
Another important factor that causes stronger cat urine odors is the age of the animal. This is because of the fact that the older an animal is the greater the chances are of its kidneys not functioning properly.
Locating Cat Urine:

The most common method employed includes black light that usually reveals a glow where cat urine is detected. Usually, one will find male cat urine deposits on furniture and areas that they find convenient for marking their territory. However, their urine may also fall on carpeted areas and ones from where it is difficult to remove it. Females prefer to use open areas in contrast to the males that prefer depositing their urine in smaller amounts to mark their territory.

Cat Urine Odor Removal:

The process of removing cat urine odor includes employing the enzyme/bacteria method. This includes introduction of an enzyme/bacteria agent that set to work on the urine content immediately.

The enzymes in the agent favor bacterial action, and cause bacteria to multiply rapidly, thereby, increasing the breakdown of the urine contents. Once all the urine contents are broken down, the source of odor diminishes, and the cat odor removal process terminates.

Safety of the Enzyme/Bacteria process:

Often, the process by which the enzyme/bacteria process operates is questioned with regard to safety. Yes, this process is believed to be safe to use at home even if there are children in the house. This is because of the fact that agent used in the process of removing cat odors breaks down once the process is over. It breaks down into Carbon Dioxide and Water. These are harmless substances that pose no threat to anyone. However, as a precautionary measure, it is best to keep children away from the agent while it is still working. This would mean keeping children away from the area of treatment until the prescribed period for cat urine’s odor removal has expired.

Dog Training – The Heel Command

The heel command is another very important and popular command for your dog, taking the time to teach your dog this command will save you hours of getting annoyed when your dog doesn’t behave on long or short walks around your local area.

The reason dogs are so ‘badly behaved’ when it comes to going for walks can be for many different reasons but the most common in many homes is the excitement of wondering the streets with all the new smells, tastes, and other local dogs to discover.

The best times to train your dog and get them to do exactly what you want without too much fuss is before feeding times, if your dog wants something they will give you a lot more attention than normal. Also puppy’s and younger dogs are better to train, even with them getting over excited over everything, puppies and young dogs will be much better behaved and easier to train when they get older.

The heel command, when performed well and properly is used to stop your dog or puppy in their tracks, drop everything and return to your left hand side. Any distractions should be left alone and your dog should carry on walking closely by your side.

To begin with you will need to go in a fairly open space with enough room to move around and walk around properly, and you will need to use a lead to gently correct your dog in this exercise.

Begin by tapping your thigh saying ‘heel’ to get your dogs attention and them to come towards you, when they are by your side wait a couple of seconds then start to stride forwards, at this point your unknowing dog or puppy will try to run off ahead. If this happens you should turn in the opposite direction letting the lead go slack for 5-10 feet, start to walk in the opposite direction and as soon as the slack goes in the lead your dog will realise you have gone in the opposite direction and run towards you again.

At this point repeat the first step of commanding heel to get your dog by your side. Continue doing this exercise for 10 – 15 minutes and about 2-3 times a day. Before long your dog will become used to coming to your side and obeying you whenever you command heel.

When your dog gets used to doing this command try going in circles, in figure of eight, and changing directions suddenly, if the command is still working then try your dog on short walks and then build your way up to longer walks as you progress.

Never use the lead to discipline and roughly tug on, if you feel yourself getting annoyed then you should stop and continue at a later date when you are calmer. Keep repeating the process and your dog will eventually come to respect you. Some dogs take longer than others to train so be prepared for this behavior.

Is Your Dog, Older Than Dad

 

Like people, dogs will go through stages of growth, maturity, and aging. Time passes for them as well as for ourselves and this can often be over-looked, owners must be vigilant and recognize the signs of aging in the dog as well as dad. An observant family will know that their dog has slowed down in the past year and that he/she is stiff in the mornings. Maybe they don’t jump up as fast as they use to or want to walk or play quite as much.. They see that pet is no longer an eager eater and that she sleeps more deeply and longer than usual. There maybe fatty tumors develop under the skin, or you may notice that he/she is more startled by loud noises. Aging in pets, as in ourselves, is a gradual process. Organs begin to deteriorate, senses begin to decline, and energy begins to flag. They can however, if love and cared for be kept happy and comfortable in their senior years.

Old age comes at different times for different breeds of dogs and different individual dogs. Giant breeds tend to age early, for their life expectancy is generally less than 10 years. Large and medium-sized breeds have a life expectancy of 12-15 years, while smaller breeds can often live quite a bit longer ie; 15 years or more. I have a Yorkshire Terrier that was 18years old on the 7th of April 2006 and she is still doing fine. Obviously she needs to go to the vets more often and she had problems with her hips and back legs but she still has a good quality of life and that is the important factor.

A strong, healthy dog will probably age later than a dog that is stressed by disease or a bad environment early in his/her life. That does not mean, if you have obtain a dog from a sanctuary or pet shelter that has had an awful life, that you cannot make its last years good. Once the ill-treatment stops, hopefully so will some of the deterioration. Good care and a good home will go a long way to help your pet live a better and more comfortable life. Good nutrition is vital to a pets health at any age and if this can be your priority from a puppy that is great. If however like me, your pets came to you when they were older and they were not in prime condition, good nutrition is of ultimate importance. Go speak to your vet immediately and get your pet on the right and proper road to good health and nutrition. Remember good quality food now may save you a fortune on vet bills later.

Exercise is also important in keeping your dog in good shape. You may think your fat pooch looks cute and you feel it is not fair to put them on a diet. Well! All those treats you think your dog can’t live without may be killing him/her. Your pet might be happy being pampered to death and you might be happy doing it, but so will the vet when he sends the bills. If you shrug your shoulders and say “I don’t care about the money”. Just think, you may have your little companion another 4-5 years he/she slims down and takes a walk around the block and so may you!

Don’t scold, discipline, or punish your pet for lapses in housetraining or for nipping a toddler who wakes him/her from a deep sleep. Avoid the situations when possible and deal with them when they happen, but do so without anger, remember how bad tempered dad gets when he is woken shapely. Like people your pet will have special requirement, special consideration and love and understanding. They may need to be awakened from time to time during the day to go outside. Try to tempt their appetite if it seems to be waning, maybe offer them a little treat or tip-bit, not too much now! Remember your pet is another member of your family, they deserve as much as you can afford, love them well and they will return it with bonuses. As with elderly people forgive your pet if he/she forgets her manners or housetraining.

With a little care, understanding and observation your aging pet will become and old dog several years later than for some. They will age in good health slower and continue to bring joy to the family for years to come. I lost my 18year old collie 3 months ago and one month before a 11 year old rabbit. Now I have a yorkie that is 18 and a tabby cat that will be 18 20th of September 2006. It is possible to keep them healthy even in old age.

Introducing Your New Puppy to Your Other Pets

A new puppy is always an adjustment for any family, but if you already have other pets, it takes even more care. Any time you have pets that are already established in your home, they will be territorial at first when a new dog joins the household. Planning and attention to each pet’s needs, however, will soon make them the best of friends.

All animals feel that they are part of the family “pack,” and that feeling means they will instinctively want to protect the family and their territory. You will need to establish to your current pets that the puppy is now a member of the family, while making sure the puppy understands the rules in his new home.

The most difficult animal to introduce your new puppy to would be a cat, especially an older one. Instinct tells them to tangle with each other, but proper introductions will soon overcome this. The guidelines for cats and dogs can be applied to just about any animals you are adjusting to each other.

Be sure to introduce your puppy to your cat slowly. Don’t ever let the puppy immediately have the run of the house – it will upset your cat because he will interpret it as an invasion of his territory. They will fight, and the cat will most likely win. It’s a bad start. There are several steps you should take over a period of several weeks in order to ensure a happy pet family.

1. The day you bring your puppy into your house, keep him on a leash. When the cat gets curious enough to approach, stay close. Let them sniff each other for a moment or two, but immediately pick up the puppy if they strike at each other. The puppy will be happy to play, but the established pet most likely won’t be interested. After you separate them, spend some time individually with each of them.

2. Restrict your puppy’s access to the house at first. This is, after all, the cat’s territory. Using a baby gate to keep the puppy confined to one room is your best bet. The kitchen is ideal for housebreaking, and the cat will be able to peek through the gate and check out the new guy at his leisure.

3. Each day, walk your puppy around the house several times on his leash to show the cat that he will be staying. Increase the time you do this each day. Let the cat hide away if he wants, but soon he will make it a point to come out and meet the puppy.

4. Feel free to use the word, “NO!” whenever the animals become aggressive with each other. Hitting or swatting should not be used because both animals will associate it with them being together. Using a stern voice that you use for disciplining in other situations, however, will make things clear to them.

5. As the days go by, move the baby gate to expand the puppy’s free-range territory. Eventually, he will be able to wander about the house freely as the two pets become used to each other.

6. Don’t let your cat antagonize the puppy. If she lashes out in an attempt to warn the puppy off or tries to scratch the puppy, move the cat – not the puppy. Why? Because you want to make it clear that the puppy is now a member of the household. Always moving the puppy out will only send the cat a signal that if she continues to attack, you will continue to take the puppy away, increasing his territorial stance.

7. Don’t force the animals to be together if they prefer to remain in separate areas of the house. Often, a cat will retreat for a while to a particular room where he feels comfortable. Let this be a safe area; if the puppy heads that direction, re-steer him toward another area of the house or distract him. He will get the picture over time and realize that this is the cat’s “spot.”

8. If most of your time is spent in one room (like the family room), keep the puppy leashed next to you and allow the cat to pass through and make herself at home for the first several days. If the puppy leaves the cat alone, reward him with praise and the occasional treat. If they tangle, put the puppy back in his enclosed area behind the baby gate. After several days of doing this, let the puppy sit with you without the leash and do the same thing.

If you follow these rules for a period of 2-4 weeks, you will discover that your puppy and cat quickly become used to each other. The puppy will learn that there is a room or area where the cat prefers to be alone. As they get used to each other’s presence, the puppy and cat will settle into acceptance, then become curious and start to make friends. Within a few months, your puppy and cat (or other pets) will be fast friends because you have introduced them to each other with consideration for both their feelings and safety.