Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat

by Jackson Galaxy

First Time Through the Threshold—Dog into a Cat’s Home: It’s all about the leash. When you first bring a dog into a home with cats . . . repeat after me: The leash. Stays. On. The fact is, you don’t really know your new family member very well, and despite all of your due diligence before the adoption (and, likely, on the part of the shelter or rescue organization), you just have no idea what triggers may be pulled the first time your dog sees a cat, or the first time a cat sniffs the dog’s toys, food, or even water. So once your cat and dog are in the same physical space, I would still keep your dog on-leash for a little while, until you feel safe, and while that trust bridge is still under construction. The leash gives you a reliable and consistent degree of control over your new family member. At least in my home, it’s not until the dog earns our complete trust that he goes leash-free. We don’t even necessarily have to be holding onto it, especially as the days go by and the introduction process is well underway. If the leash is still on, and the dog makes a sudden move, we can “foot” (quickly pin the leash to the ground with a foot) that leash and regain control. Getting your dog under complete voice command is a process; the right to wander the house freely is definitely one that is earned.