Adding new dogs or cats to a household of animals can be tricky. Animals, like people, can exhibit jealousy, depression and aggression that can translate into bad and even dangerous behavior between pets.

Animals adjusting to newcomers need personal space, special attention and constant supervision. It can be a time-consuming endeavor for the owners.

Dogs and cats

Meredith Gage, a dog trainer and owner of Pawsitive Experience in Bend, had her own pet dilemma years ago when she brought a 13-month-old Australian shepherd home to join her 3-year-old cat, Webster.

“It was very difficult,” she recalls.

The dog, Lizzie, had a natural “prey drive,” or instinct to chase. She chased, shook and killed gophers and squirrels. She started chasing Webster in the house.

“I saw (Lizzie) corner and nip at (Webster). I was worried about the safety of my cat,” Gage said. “I didn’t want to come home to a dead cat.”

Fortunately, Gage had the skills to train Lizzie. She taught her “leave it,” “down” and “stay,” and rewarded good behavior with treats. A dog must be trained with some basic commands to curb animal conflicts, Gage said.

And, if Lizzie seemed obsessed with the cat, Gage isolated her in a crate. But crating doesn’t teach a dog anything, Gage said, so more often she would leash Lizzie to the leg of the couch. If Lizzie ignored Webster when the cat walked by, Lizzie got treats.

“It was very stressful for a few months,” Gage said.

Eventually the dog calmed down around the cat. They live together in harmony now, but Gage still doesn’t leave them home alone unsupervised. Webster is shut safely in a bedroom when Gage is gone. There have been slip ups to that rule, and Gage came home to peaceful coexistence nevertheless.

Certain breeds — herding and hunting breeds — are tougher to blend with cats. Gage advises researching the breed of dog to find out if it has the prey drive, which can’t entirely be trained out.

If it’s a new cat coming into a dog’s house, make sure it’s a mellow cat, not one that will run and flee at any small sound, triggering the chase instinct in dogs.

Cats should always have a safe place to escape: the top of the fridge or under a bed, where they have food and water and can be left alone. A baby gate or a cat door works well to separate a safe room.

Redirect a dog that is interested in a cat with a Kong toy or chew toy. Reward good behavior and interrupt bad behavior, Gage’s Web site says (see “To learn more”).

Cats and cats

Felines are territorial, independent animals. Website tips on cat-to-cat introductions consistently emphasize providing each cat its own, separate, safe space with food and water.

Gradually introduce new cats to each other, first through sight and smell, before they have to interact. When they share a space, make sure each has an escape route. Reward with treats and lots of love when they interact peacefully.

Dogs and dogs

Introducing dogs to dogs works best with social and tolerant dogs, so once again, Gage recommends researching breeds’ typical personalities. Also, she suggests trying a sleepover with the prospective new dog, or taking it to a dog park to discover its personality and preferences about others dogs’ ages, sexes and temperaments.

Once the decision is made to adopt a new dog, allow the dogs to meet on neutral ground, like a park. At home, a gate between dogs can help them get to know each other without having to share space or interact too much at first.

While they develop a relationship, keep play times short, Gage’s Web site advises. Both animals should have their own personal space to retreat to. Give food, treats and toys separately. Give each dog solo play time and attention.

The transition period can take many weeks.

Words of wisdom

Experienced pet owners add their own tips in addition to Gage’s aforementioned advice:

• Emily Daniels, owner of four rescued dogs, including hound, Doberman and husky mixes, said taking them running every day keeps her dogs calm and better behaved.

• To minimize annoying behavior that stemmed from jealousy between dogs, Bend resident Kym Garrett, president of All for Dogs Rescue, said she gives her dogs toys at the same time and chaperones them while they play.

• Jennifer Scalley of Bend, who has five dogs plus often additional foster dogs in her home, constantly manages pack leadership quarrels.

As long as the dogs recognize who the alpha female is, (in Scalley’s house, her name is Matilda) all is well, she said. Scalley and her husband also work to establish their own hierarchy over the alpha.

“(Matilda) can boss the other dogs, but we don’t let her boss us,” she said. “We use various techniques, like making her sit before a feeding, making her walk at our sides and not out in front, putting her in her crate to sleep at night and not in our bed, etc.”

She has also enrolled most of her dogs in classes with Gage to learn about dog behavior and positive reinforcement.

To learn more

More details on Meredith Gage’s tips for introducing animals can be found at www.pawsitiveexperience.com.