how do i introduce my 2 dogs to 2 cats?

I like the door idea the other guy had, but i would also introduce the cats to the dogs by holding them in front of the dogs and stroking them to show that they are part of the family...as for the dog that hates cats, you may want to find a way to keep it separated from them for a while to get used to the idea of cats in the house.... let's face it, some dogs have and will always hate cats, we once intro'd a puppy to my cats and when the puppy grew up, she'd still try to torment my cats....stuff happens

Remember you have a duty to keep the cats safe. If you are only going to have the cats for a short time, there is no real point in intermixing them. Cats can be happy in cages, tho' dogs can't. However, if this is to be long term, then they will eventually have to meet. The sooner this happens, the better. It serves no purpose waiting because animals don't have any sense of time passing, but can become stressed knowing the other animals are behind closed doors.

It would be best to introduce the docile dog to one cat and then the other.

Create a "safe zone" where the cat can run to escape the dog, if needed, such as a high place the dog can't reach, etc. Make sure the dog is leashed and calm and sitting or lying down (best if he is asleep). then, simply open the door of the room or cage the cats are in and let the cats decide if they want to join you. Don't hold or touch the cats, pretty much act as if you are ignoring them. However, keep the dog on a leash and correct it by touch without using your voice, if it becomes excited about the cats. Also, if you can't calm the dog down again with the cats there, have someone remove the cats. Repeat this a few times a day until they get used to each other. Don't rush it.

The dogs and cats will know that the dogs are the ones who "own" the place and the cats are the interlopers, so when you do allow them to come together, stay with the dogs and treat the cats as "strangers". Let the dog know he can't chase, harm or bark at the cat.

If this goes well, introduce the other dog to the cat(s). Until you and the cats trust the dogs, make sure you chaperon all encounters between them.

Keep them separated unless you are going to be in the room with them. Either keep the dogs caged or the cats caged when they are in the same room till they get used to each other. Try this; Let the cats sleep on a towel or pet them with it, then use the same towel on the dogs. Repeat several times, finally tie or otherwise attach the towel to the aggressive dog for several hours. After 8 to 10 days cautiously introduce the animals (while still in cages) and observe their behavior. If you see aggression esp in dogs, scold and put them in another room to cool off and calm down. If dogs are calm and cats are aggressive, separate them to another room where they smell but not see the dogs. Repeat as necessary.

I would put the cats in a room with the door closed and let the dogs sniff at the door for a while to get used to there smell. If anything. Just let them do what they are gonna do. But watch the dog that doesn't like cats. It needs top know that they are going to be there whether it likes it our not. You are the Alpha. What you say goes.

This certainly sounds like a damaging concept. You under no circumstances want ANY pets around canines who's aggressive habit has no longer been curbed. they are in a position to be very risky, exceptionally around animals that are usual "preyworthy" for canines. it ought to under no circumstances be secure for the cats, plus those canines are very previous and having been residing the way they have for a protracted time. It would not help that they've aggressive inclinations. And having to fasten up animals once you're actually not monitoring them or leave is often a annoying and unfair life for the two you and the animals. All i will declare it introduce them the classic way. Have them the two in an excellent room, with the dogs on a leave and you retaining the cat on your lap so they do no longer do something stupid like bypass precise as much as the dogs in the previous anybody is definite of their habit in the direction of a cat. confirm the dogs knows of the cat and in reality attempt the constraints. attempt letting the cat get up, enable them to ascertain one yet another. yet under no circumstances enable them to touch except the dogs is rather happy to greet the cat, a low wagging tail, as opposed tot he dominant raised/arched and vibrating tail. no longer that it relatively is an unapproachable vice, besides the incontrovertible fact that it means they are searching for some status first that could on occasion turn badly watching the cats reaction. you will could try this creation many cases seeing as the type you have 4 animals. do no longer introduce better than one animal to better than one animal at a time. Animals can feed off each and each others habit and egg one yet another on. some damaging animal pairs are the consequence of one dominant dogs and the different in basic terms following, besides as one cat being scared so the different is mimicking likely life like habit. you do no longer want better than 2 animals interior the room so issues can stay under administration besides (cats fleeing and hiding, canines getting unfastened and chasing, etc.). And in case you probably did the two canines on the comparable time and one desperate to lash out and so did the different, that should regulate their reaction and concept of the cat for a protracted time if the dominating dogs made the 1st judgement. So this technique might take 4 different conferences in the event that they are to be triumphant and for each animals real thoughts to be noted.

Honestly, i've had this happen before. Generally Cats get annoyed by dogs because they are curious of the creature, so hostility is pretty common. Either they'll be fine with them or not.