cat and dog owners help me out!!

[Beer Snob-50]

my wife and i just got a dog from one of her co-workers. she had it for a number of years and it is a rescue dog. she adopted a couple of kids and had to get rid of the dog. anyways, from anyone who had a cat first and then got a dog, how long did it take for the cats to aclimate to the new roommate. both cats are hiding out in the cellar right now. we go down and give the cats extra love but would like to see them at some point back to their normal weird life.

[HopeHoops]

1. Just wait. The cats will assert their dominance at some point.

After that, all should be well. The dog just needs to learn who is boss. (Hint: It is NOT the dog.)

[Beer Snob-50]

2. Thanks

The cats have been the boss of the house up to this point, and I am sure that this hanging out in the cellar only will have to stop.

[meow2u3]

3. Basic rule of cats and dogs living together

The top dog is always the cat. The cat has sharp claws to remind the dog of exactly where doggie stands in the pecking order.

If dog does not initially understand such rule, cat scratches and repeats such process until dog willingly submits to cat's rule.

[david13]

4. A few weeks, maybe. And some wild power struggles. Then the

dust will settle, and after a little more, things will return to normal. Or, the new normal. Which may include major furniture destruction, pursuant to the continuing play/battles.
dc

[old mark]

5. When the cats get over their outrage, they will take over and run everything.

We have a 115 pound dog who backs away from the cat. He is smart.

mark