Thanks Gillian. We atarted by exchanging blankets between them to get them used to the scent. We had taken my dog down to see them a couple of times they were not impressed even though he was kept on the lead. I then borrowed a very large crate from a friend which is where we put the cats. We gave them some time without the dog in the room and then brought him in. There was lots of growling mainly from the normally gentle Jack. We alternated between having the dog behind a baby gate and the cats out and visa versa.
Jack just retreated on to the landing and refused to come down, Spider was braver so we put another babygate across the bottom of the stairs and had some time with them all out. What came about is that Jack was terrified, Spider wouldn't have the dog anywhere near and preferably not in the same room. She wouldn't have him near my partner. The dog wouldn't have her near my partner either as we found out after he sniffed her and then pulled a chunk of fur out without warning. Did he get into trouble. If she was picked up he got excited and jumped up so she then jumped down which kicked his prey drive off which meant me putting my hands in the middle of a cat and dog fight. I came out unscathed so that was lucky.
Anyway Our concern was less with Spider and Angus because we felt that with time they would have come to a truce as I could feed them tasty tit-bits sat afoot apart. the biggest problem was Jack he had a complete personality change withdrawn, wary, aggressive if he came across the dog. He was not a dog cat. So my partner took the descision that for Jack's sake and Angus (as his colitis had flared up with the stress and is still not right) that rehoming was the best option.
They were only here for 4 days and perhaps this was not long enough I don't know but the animals were so very stressed, we were actually concerned about Jacks health at one point.
Anyway that's what we tried whether it was right or not I don't know I think that we covered most points on the article.
Oh heck I've just seen the time got to go but thanks for your input, always welcome.
