r/malshi

Hi everyone! I’m bringing home my first puppy, Maisie (a Malshi), at 8 weeks old in a few weeks and would love some advice on two things: introducing her to my cats and potty training in an apartment.

I’ve done a lot of research over the past few months (probably too much 😅), bought a few puppy training books, watched countless training videos, and have already purchased all of her essentials including her playpen, crate, bedding, toys, enrichment, grooming supplies, food, and potty setup. I’ve also already booked her vet appointments and have a plan for her vaccinations, so I’m trying my best to start her off on the right foot.

That said, I know nothing beats real-life experience, so I’d love to hear from people who have actually been through this.

I have three indoor cats (ages 3, 7 and 7) who have never met a dog before. They’re all pretty confident cats and they're my heart and soul. but I’m naturally a bit nervous about making the introduction as stress-free as possible for everyone.

My plan is to keep Maisie in a 1.8 m × 1.2 m playpen with her crate attached so she has her own safe space. She’ll have her bed, water, toys, chews and enrichment in the pen, and I won’t let her freely approach the cats. When she's out, she will be attached to a leash on me.

I was thinking of letting the cats investigate the pen at their own pace while rewarding calm behaviour from everyone and making sure the cats always have places they can escape to if they want space.

For potty training, I live in an apartment, so I’ve set up a potty area on the balcony.

Since she’ll only be 8 weeks old and won’t be fully vaccinated yet, I don’t plan on taking her to public grass.

My plan is to initially keep a potty tray/pad inside the playpen so she can easily find it, then after a few days gradually move it to the balcony while taking her there frequently after naps, meals, play sessions and whenever she wakes up.

I’ll be home full-time for the first two weeks, then after that I’ll be at university two days a week for around 8 hours, so she’ll stay safely in her playpen with her crate and enrichment while I’m away.

Does this sound like a sensible plan? Is there anything you’d change regarding introducing a puppy to cats who’ve never lived with a dog, or transitioning potty training from the playpen to the balcony? I’d especially love to hear from anyone who’s successfully raised a puppy in an apartment with cats. Thanks so much!

Always after she gets home from a spa day