Dogs and Cats

MattPathetic

So here's the deal. Due to the wondeful economy, I've decided to move back in with my parents few a few months to get my finances in order. The biggest dillema is that I have a cat, and they have a dog.

The dog is little. A Yorkshire Terrier/Shitzu mix. Anytime I try to introduce the animals I get a vicious barking dog and a terrified hissing cat.

The cat immediately hides and I've been too nervous to just let them interact without leashes and animals being held by people.

Any idea on how to get these animals to accept each other socially?
I'm really not sure what to do, when I was younger I had both cats and dogs that got along just fine.

I don't want to let the dog loose and end up with a dead kitty.

Suggestions?

Quid

Um, I don't think a york terrier/shitzu mix is going to be killing any cats. That said, it's probably a time issue. Get things the cat lays on and let the dog smell them. Keep introducing them to each other and chastise/remove the dog every time he starts barking. When he eventually gets over the barking the cat will probably warm up to him over time, or at the very least not actively hate him.

onceling

You need to set up a safe space for each animal to be alone without the other for a while. However the best way for introduction is after scent exchange as already mentioned, and probably crate the dog and let the cat sniff around the crate. Until they can manage this interaction without hissing and barking I wouldn't progress further. I wouldn't crate the cat for that exchange.

Buttcleft

Exactly whats been said, lock one in a bedroom, give the other free run of the house to spread their scent for an hour or two, then put the other one in a bedroom and let the first one out to examin the smells.

Repeat a couple of times, then limited introduction, supervised together for a few hours before seperation.

Probably take a week before you can leave them out overnight without worrying about waking up to destroyed stuff.

Keep in mind tho that little dogs are INSANELY overprotective of their home and their owners, So there is the chance that the cat won't ever be accepted by it.

LadyM

Little dogs can definitely be cat killers. Yorkies were bred to kill rats, not prance around with a pretty bow holding up their topknot. So do exercise caution. However, the dog may just need time to accept the idea of a cat on his turf.

If worse comes to worse, can you just keep your cat in your room for a few months and keep the dog out?