Okay, so I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my Maine Coon, Merlin, and whether or not he gets along with my Golden Retriever, Bailey. So, I figured I’d just lay out my whole experience with introducing them and how their relationship has blossomed (or not!).
The Prep Work
Before I even brought Merlin home, I did some, uh, “prepping.” Nothing fancy, mind you. Basically, I just made sure Bailey was used to other animals. We’d go to the dog park, and I’d let him sniff around other cats (from a safe distance, of course!). I wanted him to at least be familiar with the idea of a cat.
First Meeting – A Little Hissy
The big day! I brought Merlin home in his carrier. Bailey was, predictably, super excited. Tail wagging, sniffing the carrier like crazy. Merlin, on the other hand, was NOT impressed. He let out a couple of hisses – not full-blown angry hisses, more like “back off, buddy” hisses.
I kept Merlin in the carrier for a bit, just letting them sniff each other through the bars. I didn’t want to overwhelm either of them. Then, I slowly opened the carrier door, keeping a firm grip on Bailey’s collar. Just in case.
Slow and Steady (and Supervised!)
For the first few weeks, it was all about SUPERVISED interactions. Short bursts. I’d let them be in the same room, but I always had a hand on Bailey, ready to pull him back if he got too rambunctious. Maine Coons are big, but puppies can be, well, puppies.
- Lots of treats: I used treats to reward both of them for calm behavior around each other. Positive reinforcement, you know?
- Separate spaces: Merlin had his own “safe space” – a cat tree and a room Bailey couldn’t access. He needed a place to retreat to if he felt overwhelmed.
- Scent swapping: I rubbed a towel on Merlin and then let Bailey sniff it, and vice versa. Just to get them used to each other’s smells.
The Turning Point (Maybe?)
Honestly, there wasn’t one magical moment where they suddenly became best friends. It was more of a gradual thing. Slowly, the hissing stopped. Then, they started ignoring each other. Which, in my book, was progress! Eventually, they started to tolerate each other’s presence. Now they sleep in the same room!
They’re Not Best Friends, But…
Okay, so they’re not exactly cuddling up together on the couch (yet!). But they definitely get along. Bailey still tries to play with Merlin sometimes, and Merlin usually just gives him a “look” and walks away. But sometimes, just sometimes, I catch Merlin giving Bailey a little head-butt. It’s small, but it’s something.
So, do Maine Coons get along with dogs? In my experience, with patience, slow introductions, and lots of supervision, it’s totally possible. It might not be a Disney movie friendship, but a peaceful coexistence is definitely achievable.
