Need to introduce my shy cat to a dog household

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I have never been in this situation,

but I do know that with two cats who are thrown into the same household, it takes at least a month before the get used to each other (unless you are extremely lucky and have the perfect cats). The best way for introductions in the case of two cats (and I would assume it would be the same with a cat and dog) is to have the new cat confined behind a closed door while the resident still have free roam. They will get to know each other by scent through the door before they have time to get into fights.

It is important to understand that the resident animal is dominant in that house before you get there, and he may not be happy about the intruder. Also, the new animal will be surrounded by the scents of the resident, that that can be very intimidating. If it were me, I would keep my cat in the room that is yours for a while, so that she/he can get used to the new surroundings in peace, plus get to know the dog without that awkward face-to-face immediately.