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A blue merle Australian Shepherd and a calico cat meet nose to nose on a green lawn. 3 / 36

An Aussie and a Calico Cat Sized Each Other Up on the Lawn

AI imageaustralian shepherdcalico catfirst meeting

Both of them have gone completely still, and the air between them is full of questions. A blue merle Australian Shepherd lowers his head to the grass, his speckled gray and tan face tilted and his eyes fixed on the newcomer. A few feet away, a calico cat sits with her patches of orange, black, and white and her ears pricked, watching right back. A flower pot and a blue house sit quietly in the background.

Australian Shepherds are intelligent herding dogs with a lot of energy. They may be inclined to stare, circle, or try to herd a cat, which is natural for the breed but can scare the cat. Early training and calm introductions help a lot, as does teaching the dog to settle on cue.

For a first meeting, let the cat decide how close to get. Keep the dog on a leash or at a distance at the start, and reward both of them for staying calm. Look out for signs that either one is uneasy, like a stiff body, flattened ears, or hard staring, and then take a break. Short, positive sessions work better than a long one.

Right now, this pair is doing it well. Neither is rushing and neither is retreating. It's a thoughtful, quiet moment, the sort that can turn into a long friendship if given a little time and patience.

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