Ragdoll Cat Forums

New kitty came home sunday and adjusting very well to her new room. (Extra bedroom) I have two miniature schnauzers and need advice for introductions. I brought her out yesterday in the crate, they just want to bark at her cause I think they want to play. Kitty was a little scared but not bad. I plan to bring her out again in my arms and hopfully with time they adjust. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You did not mention if you let them visit her safe room when she is not there or exchanged bedding or something else scented. You want them to be as calm about her as possible before face to face introductions. Your plan to hold her is a good one, since she will need reassurance at first and a feeling of safety. Just take it slowly and let them set the pace of the process, taking slow steps each time and slowing and moving back a step as needed. It can be stressful, but try to enjoy observing how they react to each other and establish the relationships. They will be fond memories later when they are best buddies

Congrats on your new addition. I also have two schnauzers, a Mini and a Giant and think that great care need be taken because of the inate prey drive that schnauzers have. With our first kitten Gracie, the introduction process took us almost 7 weeks. After the initial week of swapping scents, I would daily bring the dogs, one at a time into the room while holding little Gracie in my arms. Even with both being obedience trained it took some time before they would completely relax in the kitten's presence. Only when they were in a very calm, submissive state did I allow them to approach and sniff and later to actually interact. For the first month, I never let both dogs into the room with Gracie together as the pack mentality can take over. Gracie was a very smart kitten and wouldn't make any sudden moves and the dogs gradually came to not only accept her but to love her also and she completely became one of the pack. Extreme patience, over the course of weeks did it for us, you can take the cues from your crew and know when they are ready for each step.
When Gracie passed due to heart disease while still a kitten, the dogs missed her, it was tangible. That's when we started looking at breeders to get Dexter. In the interim, my daughter brought Katie home from a shelter adopt-a-thon and it took only a week for the dogs to totally accept her. When Katie was 5 months, Dex joined the family and by then, the intro's with the dogs was a piece of cake, getting Katie to accept him was another story.
I hope that with time and patience, you find yourself in the same wonderful position we are now in, schnauzers and kits in harmony!!

(08-18-2010 10:54 AM)dextersmom Wrote: [ -> ]Congrats on your new addition. I also have two schnauzers, a Mini and a Giant and think that great care need be taken because of the inate prey drive that schnauzers have. With our first kitten Gracie, the introduction process took us almost 7 weeks. After the initial week of swapping scents, I would daily bring the dogs, one at a time into the room while holding little Gracie in my arms. Even with both being obedience trained it took some time before they would completely relax in the kitten's presence. Only when they were in a very calm, submissive state did I allow them to approach and sniff and later to actually interact. For the first month, I never let both dogs into the room with Gracie together as the pack mentality can take over. Gracie was a very smart kitten and wouldn't make any sudden moves and the dogs gradually came to not only accept her but to love her also and she completely became one of the pack. Extreme patience, over the course of weeks did it for us, you can take the cues from your crew and know when they are ready for each step.
When Gracie passed due to heart disease while still a kitten, the dogs missed her, it was tangible. That's when we started looking at breeders to get Dexter. In the interim, my daughter brought Katie home from a shelter adopt-a-thon and it took only a week for the dogs to totally accept her. When Katie was 5 months, Dex joined the family and by then, the intro's with the dogs was a piece of cake, getting Katie to accept him was another story.
I hope that with time and patience, you find yourself in the same wonderful position we are now in, schnauzers and kits in harmony!!

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New kitty came home last sun, dogs have had her scent from the beginning. Not only on my hands but her room is about 10 ft from the doggie gate.
These are great tips! I'll start letting the dogs go in the room one by one slowly while supervised beginning with her out of the room. Even if it takes seven weeks. Its certainly worth the time to have one happy family

(08-18-2010 11:18 AM)Serena Wrote: [ -> ]New kitty came home last sun, dogs have had her scent from the beginning. Not only on my hands but her room is about 10 ft from the doggie gate.
These are great tips! I'll start letting the dogs go in the room one by one slowly while supervised beginning with her out of the room. Even if it takes seven weeks. Its certainly worth the time to have one happy family

It is so worth it! We had never thought a kitten would be possible with schnauzers and their prey drive and ours are 9 and 10 years old and very set in their ways. With Gracie just arriving in our garage on a cold December day we were forced to give it a try and will forever remain thankful to her for opening our home to the wonderful world of cats.
Once accepted as family, you will be amazed at how loving the dynamic can be with them. Wishing you much, much success with the introductions!!