A dog’s fixation on a cat can escalate from growling and barking to lunging and chasing, causing significant stress for your feline companion. Fortunately, with time, patience, and consistent positive reinforcement and redirection training, you can effectively train your dog to stop chasing cats. This process not only enhances your pets’ well-being but also promotes a more harmonious household.
Match Personalities for a Harmonious Home
Before even bringing a new pet home, consider matching their personalities to ensure a better chance of a peaceful coexistence. Some dogs possess a high prey drive, making them naturally inclined to chase and corner smaller animals like cats. If your dog exhibits this trait, adopting a cat might not be the best decision for your household. Similarly, a cat that constantly swats and hisses at dogs may not be suited for a home with canine companions. An energetic, playful cat often thrives with a similarly energetic dog, provided neither perceives the other as prey or competition. Conversely, a calm, older cat might be a better match for an easy-going, older dog. Forcing two incompatible personalities together is unlikely to lead to a positive outcome.
Master Basic Commands for Better Control
Teaching your dog essential commands like “stay,” “sit,” “come,” and “leave it” is crucial for curbing prey behavior. Practice these commands in increasingly distracting environments and with tempting stimuli to build your dog’s obedience. The ultimate goal is for your dog to reliably obey these commands when your cat is present. Always begin these training sessions with your dog on a leash. If your dog has a particularly high prey drive, professional intervention from a trainer or dog behaviorist may be necessary to help them learn to leave a cat alone.
Redirect the Behavior Promptly
The key to successfully curbing aggressive behavior in dogs towards cats lies in early intervention and redirection. Once a dog discovers the thrill of chasing cats, unlearning this behavior can become challenging. If you observe your dog lunging or attempting to chase your cat, immediately interrupt the behavior by saying “no” and briefly placing them in a separate room.
As soon as you notice your dog fixating on your cat, redirect their attention. Use commands like “come” or “leave it.” When your dog complies, offer praise and rewards, such as treats. Consistently reward calm behavior around the cat from the outset. Gradually increase the duration of their leash during training. Always ensure your cat has an accessible escape route, utilizing resources like cat trees, cat condos, elevated furniture, and cat shelves. Some trainers recommend a method where you offer small treats to your dog every time they are calmly in the cat’s presence, keeping the dog leashed for the cat’s safety. This helps your dog associate the cat with positive experiences, reducing their urge to chase.
Keep Pets Entertained and Engaged
An excess of pent-up energy in dogs can increase their likelihood of chasing cats. Incorporate daily walks, games of fetch, training sessions, and even agility courses into your dog’s routine. Engaging their mind and body will reduce the chances of them expending their energy on your cat.
The same principle applies to cats. An overly energetic cat might be prone to pouncing on a dog, potentially triggering their prey drive. Dedicate time to playing with your cat and consider clicker training or interactive toys to stimulate their minds. Providing your cat with a safe, secluded space away from the dog is also essential for their relaxation. Utilizing a Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser can help manage your cat’s stress by mimicking natural feline pheromones, promoting a sense of calm and happiness.
Reintroduce Pets Gradually
In some situations, a complete reintroduction of your cat and dog may be necessary. Start by housing them in separate rooms until they show no signs of stress from each other’s scent or sounds. Begin feeding them on opposite sides of a closed door, ensuring they remain calm during meal times.
Once they are comfortable with this arrangement, progress to feeding them on either side of a closed gate or screen. Observe your dog’s reaction: can they be distracted by a command or treat when near the cat? Continue this process until both pets exhibit calmness while eating in close proximity.
Following this, allow supervised visits in the same room, with your dog remaining on a leash. This entire reintroduction process can take weeks, or even longer. For dogs with particularly high prey drives, it may be impossible to leave them unsupervised together. This is not a failure but rather a responsible measure to prioritize their safety.
While a dog that has a tendency to chase cats may learn to coexist with a specific feline, other cats might still trigger their innate instincts. Occasionally, despite best efforts, some pets’ personalities may never fully align. However, with consistent, patient training and a well-managed reintroduction, it is often possible for your dog and cat to develop a friendship.
References
- American Humane. “Introducing Dogs to Cats.” AmericanHumane.org, 25 August 2019, http://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-dogs-to-cats/.
- Silvani, Pia. “My Dog Chases My Cat. How Do I Stop Him?” Petfinder, https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-problems/dog-chases-cat/.
- Shojai, Amy. “How to Train Your Puppy to Stop Chasing Cats.” The Spruce Pets, 10 July 2019, https://www.thesprucepets.com/stopping-puppies-from-chasing-cats-2805087.
- Paretts, Susan. “How Do I Stop a Dog from Attacking a Cat?” The Nest, https://pets.thenest.com/stop-dog-attacking-cat-3750.html.
