my first cocker

[Magicspaniel]

Hello all,
I'm just two weeks away from welcoming my first cocker spaniel into my home. He is a sable boy and full of zest. I am just curious to general puppy advice and also I have two cats who are house cats (do not go out) what is the best way to introduce him to the existing residents?

[Pearly]

Hi and welcome!

I had 2 house cats before Pearl came home.  I invested in a stair gate so the cats had a safe area (upstairs) and started to feed them upstairs before she came home.... Cat food is the second most prized food for dogs - the highest prized food is the output from cats    the litter tray also moved upstairs....

I also did the damp flannel trick: rubbing the cats with the flannel, then the pup before she came into the house and again the cats with the same flannel - especially down their flanks and if you can, either side of their faces.  One cat took to Pearl immediately teaching her all sorts of cat play skills and tried to teach her to use the litter tray    thank goodness she was too big for the flap  .

The other cat didn't react so well - very highly strung 9 year old oriental.  Over time he came round and was the only cat Pearl would let in the basket with her!  Sadly Harvey is no longer here and much as Pearl and Minnie get on, still, she's not allowed in the basket  nor is the new cat!

Cats like routine and get distressed when it's changed - might be an idea to move their food now (if it's not already "dog safe") and their tray 

Good luck with your new boy

Have you chosen a name?

Jayne and Pearl (blue roan age 3)

[Magicspaniel]

Hi,
We are going to have a stair gate and move the cat stuff upstairs but they can still have the run of the house where as the dog won't be able to go into the bathroom where the cat box will be. We have a small house so it's making the best of what we can! The cats are brothers of 18 months so hopefully should be ok after an adjustment period.
We haven't decided on a name yet, it's difficult! He's a sable cocker so very interesting markings.
I'm thinking something with one or two syllables so it's easy for him to learn!

[Charlie Pup]

I am still having a bit of a nightmare with my puppy and cat.  The puppy (Charlie) is now 7 months, has never been allowed to chase although has managed to twice    We have a stair gate and a kitchen gate because our cat (Socks) is not a house cat.  We had a room divider up for the first 4 months but this is now down.  If Socks is on his way in or out and therefore needs to come into the living room whilst Charlie is out, Charlie has to be popped on the lead.  We have the added difficulty of the garden so if Socks is out and could come back at any time then Charlie is on lead in the garden.  My only saving grace is Charlie has a crate for his bed and therefore when he has down time or we are out I don't need to worry about any possibility of chasing or conflict.

We are working on the leave it command daily and treat and massively throw Charlie a party when ever he is relaxed around Socks.  I do find it exhausting to be honest and hope that one day I will not need eyes in the back of my head and all of this daily perseverance will pay off.

The reason it is taking so long for us is because Socks will not stand his ground with Charlie 

Good luck, from doing research on here, other forums and friends, I am in the minority with my two boys!