Only 3 more days to go until we get our baby. We are still tossing names around names, we like Cookie and Peaches. I'm sure it will change, it already has a million times. I talked to Kathy, she said that both puppies are playing, eating well and ready to go. She is taking them away from their mama tonight so they have a little time to adjust without her.

I do have a couple of questions:

1. I see where people say that your puppy shouldn't be taken out until they have all of their shots. At what ages can I start taking her for short walks and not have to worry? I'm thinking they get their last shots at 12 weeks but I'm not sure.

2. Should I start her out with just a collar or should I go straight to a harness?

3. What would be the best way to introduce her to my cat, Waffle is 7 yrs old and pretty much afraid of her own shadow. We have a rabbit as well, I'm thinking that should be a no contact ever type of thing, right!?

Thanks!

1. If you have an area that you can walk her around, you can do that. Otherwise, I would wait til you at least get the parvo shot before walking around the neighborhood. Until you can walk, you can play in the backyard. Karli loves chase lol.

2. I started with a collar, not sure what's recommended.

3. I would introduce them on neutral territory and see how they react together.

Thanks! Problem with the cat is that I don't have neutral territory. She's an indoor only cat who has the run of the house. We live way to close to the road for her to be outside.

1. I'd hold off on walks until after the puppy series is done at approximately 12 weeks. Walk around the backyard with the pup before then.

2. I'd start working with both from the get go. You want your pup to get familiar and comfortable with both of them.

Kelli0713 wrote:

We have a rabbit as well, I'm thinking that should be a no contact ever type of thing, right!?

Negatory. I would introduce the rabbit and husky regularly (throughout their mutual existence) and teach your sibe what is acceptable behavior with the rabbit. I did this with my sibe and 3 guinea pigs and they all coexisted well together. They coexisted so well that I was able to house my guinea pigs on the floor with an open top and my sibe never bothered them because he was exposed to them frequently and learned that they were not to be bothered.

Agreed with Val. To add, you can try introducing them when the pup is in a crate. That way the cat can go around and smell the new addition without having a fear of being chased etc. It'll take some time, but you can also do it in increasing increments of time. Once the cat feels comfortable, they can meet face to face. There will be times where, like one of my cats, they don't get along - not fighting, they just stay away from each other, and that's fine too.

Just make sure to always keep an eye when they are together and one of them isn't contained. Also, make sure you have escape routes for the cat (especially if it's declawed).

Thank you both! My cat is declawed and she is scared of everything, we have had the rabbit for 2 years and she is still scared to death of her, won't go anywhere near her unless Dusty is in her cage. Hope we have better luck with a puppy.