Socializing Doodle and Cat

[Chevy with Dave and Nancy]

Our Goldendoodle is now 14 weeks old. The exact day we bought him home our cat became extremly ill (not related to the dog). The cat has litterally come back from near death to totally well with the exception of nerve damage in a hind leg which slows him down. We are fortunate that we have a good way to keep them seperated but able to see each other.

Now the cat is ready to socialize, our dog Chevy charges the cat whenever he sees it. I don't want to hold the dog back with a lease. I keep hoping the cat will smack him but I think Chevy will think it's play time.

Any ideas for getting them together?

[Sessa]

Any reason why you don't want to use a leash?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Maybe try holding the cat when the dog is around and let them get to know each other slowly.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Is your cat also going outside? We gave our cats the chance to leave and enter the house through a window on the upper floor because the first days they didn't dare to come downstairs. After a week everything settled down. The cats became curious and realized that this "monster" that was chasing them wouldn't leave anymore. They started to leave the house again through their catdoor again although they literally ran through the livingroom to get there. Of course Benny thought this is playtime and also started chasing them. After another few days the cats slowed down when they saw that Benny was sleeping and became more curious. Another few days passed by with the cats showing interest in Benny while he was sleeping but Benny of course chasing them still after waking up. At a certain point the cats realized that Benny wouldn't chase them anymore if they don't run but remain still. Benny would only "examine" them and then even lick their fur. Since then we have harmony.
Just give it some time and don't force things. They will get used to another and make contact themselves. My opinion is that if you try to force it then it will only take longer. You should always supervise them when they are in the same room in the beginning but you shouldn't use a leash. If the puppy goes after the cat say NO (or what I used was BE GENTLE, so that Benny knew he always allowed to go to the cat but that he had to be careful), grab the puppy and take it with you to another spot in the room where you tell him to sit and stay. You can hold the collar as a puppy cannot obey all commands already so at the same time it is training for you and the puppy. The cat will loose her fear and your puppy will loose interest in chasing the cat after a while. I am not a professional and in some situations I just followed my gutts when I tried to socialize them but for us it has worked out fine.
Good luck and keep us updated.

[Chevy with Dave and Nancy]

One of the best ideas I've heard was to use our crate. Move the crate into the middle of the familyroom and put the cat in the crate. Letting them get nose to nose without anyone getting hurt. Then put the dog in and let the cat move around the crate.

I'm going to try this idea, it sounds like it would give both exposure and alpha type power.

Dave

[Sessa]

so wait, you never answered my initial question---any particular reason why you don't want to use a leash?

[Chevy with Dave and Nancy]

I know they will get along eventually so I wanted to let them get together on their own terms. But now that I think about it, it's not much different than keeping one in the sun room and the other in the house.

I'll give it a shot also.