Summary
Dogs chase cats due to instinct, seeing it as play, boredom, or territorial aggression. To stop this, teach basic obedience commands like “leave it,” “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Use positive reinforcement by rewarding calm behavior around the cat. Redirect your dog’s focus with toys or commands when they fixate on the cat. Ensure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise. Employ management tools like leashes and muzzles during training. Create safe spaces for your cat. If the issue persists, consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for personalized guidance. Consistency and patience are key to creating a peaceful environment.
Why Do Dogs Chase Cats?
If your dog is chasing your cat, it is mainly because your furry pet follows its instincts. When you see a dog chasing a cat, it is crucial because the dog follows its animal instincts.
This case can be remarkably accurate and true if your dog belongs to a breed that is associated with chasing and herding.
Dogs will also chase cats, as it seems a game for them. When your dog chases your cat, it might not mean any harm. It may mean your dog is chasing your cat because it might want to play.
It is similar to a dog chasing a ball that has been thrown as a game. However, dogs need to learn that cats are their companions in the household, not a game or toy to play with.
Dogs also chase cats because they have strong chase instincts. Your dog is chasing your cat, and this movement might trigger this instinct. There are also instances of dogs and cats living peacefully for years before this instinct gets triggered suddenly.
Dogs think chasing cats is an inherent reward. Stopping them is crucial as they might become well-versed in it and cause behavioral problems.
Your dog might also have territorial behavior issues. Some signs of a territorially aggressive dog include growling, snarling, pouncing, lunging, biting, and barking at your kittens.
Your dog might fear that another animal is hoarding its territory. It is essential to stop this before things get out of hand.
How to Stop a Dog Chasing Cats?
Dogs and cats get along swimmingly. This is until the cat flees, and the dog chases after it. Even though most dogs will not go through with the attack and damage the cat, the situation can cause a lot of emotional turmoil. Keep reading our article to find tips and techniques to help your dog stop chasing cats.
Teaching Basic Commands to the Dog
It would help if you brushed up on teaching your dog basic commands. These commands include: leave it, sit, come and stay, etc.
This also includes testing your dog’s discipline and obedience in distracting situations, especially with things that make it excited.
It would help if you remember that your ultimate goal is to stop your dog from chasing cats. Always have your dog on a leash near your cat to try this.
Suppose your dog goes off the line while training by being a menace to your cat. In that case, you can remove your dog from the situation for inappropriate behavior.
It would help if you also noticed reinforcing specific behavior in your dog. This can include the fact that chasing the cat is inexcusable.
Redirecting Behavior
Once you catch your dog chasing your cat, it is best to redirect this behavior by deeming it off-limits. Doing this from the start will prevent repeated patterns and the dog from becoming well-versed in chasing your cats. If your dog has been calm from the beginning, reward him appropriately.
When your dog focuses on the cat, distract him and redirect his behavior. Use commands like ‘come’ or ‘leave it’ and give him treats to reward his behavior upon obeying. This will help develop a positive association with the cat for your dog, and he won’t be interested in chasing cats.
Commands
You can teach your dogs commands using positive reinforcement rather than intimidation.
Leave it Command
To achieve the ‘leave it’s command, entice your dog with a high-value treat or prize. Once the dog shows interest and excitement, ignore their attempts to get the treat.
When they keep trying to get the treat actively, say leave it. Keep repeating the command till your dog drops off the treat. Once your dog has stopped pursuing the tea, you can reward them for their cooperative behavior with the treat.
Repetitive training will help you stop your dog from chasing your cats by saying ‘leave it’ when it fixates upon her.
Come and Stay Command
If you find your dog being dangerously close to your cat or fixating upon them, you can always calmly tell them to ‘come’ or ‘stay where it is.
Your dog should also learn to sit down or ’emergency drop’ as commands to ensure the safety of your cats. Use verbal commands to your best to approve or disapprove of your dog’s behavior.
Exercises for Dog
If your dog continues chasing your cat despite your attempts to prevent it from chasing, it could be out of boredom. Therefore, you need to create a niche for your dog where it can let out its boredom. To ensure this, you need to get enough exercise.
This can be both physical and mental exercise. Some exercises include swimming, playing fetch, jumping, food puzzles, learning basic cues, nose work, etc.
You can also give it toys as a distraction. A tired dog does less chasing and has something to look forward to.
Muzzle Technique
Muzzles can be a powerful and effective technique to stop your dog from chasing cats. You can use a basket muzzle and keep some treats. Then, lure your dog into relishing the treats from the muzzle.
Repeat this 5-10 times and fasten the muzzle around the puppy’s neck. Establishing a muzzle-reward relationship will prevent your dog from going after and harming the cats. It will also help them to be calm.
Carrier Technique
The idea behind this technique is to teach your pup to be calm and composed around cats. Place your kitten in a protective carrier or safe zone to follow this technique. This must be under your supervision.
It will be advisable to have your dog on a leash. Offer your puppy treats to keep his focus on you. Award your puppy for obeying your commands, and treat him extra if he is near the cat and is calm and collected.
Cookie Cat Technique
To initiate this technique, put your dog on a leash and ensure that both your pets are in the same room under your supervision.
Allow the cat to roam about freely across the room. Every time your pup’s attention is diverted towards the cat due to the cat’s movements, give your puppy a treat. Treat your puppy under every circumstance, whether excited or angry, when the cat is around.
Within days of training, this will ensure that when the cat is around, you must look for you to get treats, and chasing won’t be a consideration anymore.
Separation While Unsupervised
Making sure your dog does not go around and chase your cat when you are not everywhere to look after is essential. Kennels or carriers are excellent tools to achieve this.
This is necessary because some dogs don’t trust kittens without their owners, which may cause them harm.
You can also try this by providing your cat with a ‘safe area.’ Your cat must have a place out of your dog’s reach. Some methods and tools include cat-safe climbing trees that are out of the reach of dogs, pet-baby gates, and condos.
Clicker Technique
Using a clicker ensures that your dog becomes familiar with and conditioned to hear the clicker’s sound when they do something good.
The main goal is to associate your dog’s good behavior with the clicker’s sound. You can mimic the cat’s movement and use the clicker when your dog acts appropriately. Award your dog with treats later on as positive enforcement.
Teaching the Cats
It is also equally necessary to train your cat and modify their behavior. You can offer your kitten yummy treats when in your dog’s presence. You can also give your kitten some calming aids for the nerves.
Nonetheless, we understand that not all dogs will pick up your training modules as they differ from breed to breed. But with a bit of patience and creativity, by learning how to stop a dog chasing cats, you can ensure that your dog and your cats can live peacefully under the same roof.
