My pup now is crate trained and I plan on having the one crate trained as well .. As for the cats, I have a cat door on the door going down the basement. The dog is not allowed in the basement unless I invite her down for two reasons, 1) thats the cats getaway 2) the dog tried to eat cat poop litter lol. The only thing we are going to have trouble with is the energy level until Spring because by the time we get home from work it will be dark and the park by my houses closes at dark. Im getting a fence put in in the March im planning from the side of my house to the outback so we are ready. I just think having a second dog will be good for the both of them