Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

Original poster

Dog chasing cat

11 replies

CleverQuacks · 27/08/2018 20:14

Any tips on how to get my puppy to stop chasing the cat? At the moment I try to grab her when the cat comes near but she is fast and wiggly and will often get away from me. Then it turns into some comedy sketch with her chasing the cat and me chasing her which is great fun for her so I am worried it’s just reinforcing the behaviour ie chasing the cat is fun. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Needsleepneedsleep · 27/08/2018 20:18

Is pup a Lab by any chance?
Some suggestions as we have a young Lab and cats:
Keep pup on lead when cat is around and while still on lead use the word 'calm' when pup sees the cat.

Keep pup separate to cat, e g. pup in separate room behind child gate.

Will follow thread with interest as would like to see what other posters suggest.

Needsleepneedsleep · 27/08/2018 20:19

Oh and ensure the cat has a safe area in the house which pup can't access - e.g. upstairs.

Pissedoffdotcom · 27/08/2018 20:21

As above but if pup is food orientated reward reward reward. Any time pup is calm around the cat, lots of praise & a titbit. Shouldn't take long for pup to realise chasing the cat gets him nowhere but ignoring the cat gets him fuss & food. Obviously you can then reduce the food once he gets it so he just gets praise

Original poster

CleverQuacks · 27/08/2018 20:28

Not a lab, she is a whippet (yes I know, a stupid combination with a cat). She is very food orientated but when the cat is around she ignores everything apart from the cat.

OP posts:

Pissedoffdotcom · 27/08/2018 20:30

Na not stupid at all! I know loads of sighthounds living with cats...pretty sure that in most of those homes the cats rule the roost 😂 has the cat given her a clout yet?

Original poster

CleverQuacks · 27/08/2018 20:34

Yeh the cat has scratched her a few times but doesn’t put pup off. I am hoping she will grow out of the chasing!

OP posts:

Pissedoffdotcom · 27/08/2018 20:55

Ooh hardcore pup! Be consistent & hopefully she'll pick it up. Looking at the cat isn't such a bad thing unless she's chaotic so i guess just praising calm & letting the cat disappear when he's had enough. I do not miss puppy training!

SilverHairedCat · 27/08/2018 21:01

Our sighthound cross lives with a cat, it took 6 months to get them comfortable around each other. The dog was 10months when she arrived, the cat was 12 years old.

Make sure the cat has a safe dog-free place. Use baby gates or pet gates to stop the dog chasing between rooms. Keep the dog on a lead if you have to.

Reward calm behaviour around the cat - use the pup's favourite toy rather than treats if you can at this stage, saves on poo accidents!

Stroke the dog, then stroke the cat. It shares their scent across each other, but also shows there's no favouritism.

Correct chasing immediately - do not allow it to become a game. If you're laughing and chasing the pup, you've lost control and the game is afoot. The dog needs to know it's not a behaviour that's permitted. Strong "no" and redirect their attention to a toy and away from the cat. If you can't manage this, you need to be keeping the dog in a smaller area while they learn to live with each other - a play area or one room etc.

billybagpuss · 30/08/2018 16:19

Following the thread with interest, 7 month pup chases the cats at every opportunity. Cats currently living upstairs and we need to remind one of them to go out. Upstairs separated with stair gate with a cat flap in it.

adaline · 30/08/2018 16:26

Ours chases the cat constantly - he's 7 months and the cats are two and three. Pup has been scratched and hissed at numerous times and it doesn't seem to stop him!

The younger cat is more tolerant and playful and when they chase it's definitely more "playing" than anything else. He wouldn't hurt her. The older cat is a grumpy soul and doesn't like play at all, let alone with a boisterous puppy. He has plenty of space to go away from the dog and the cats litter trays and food are both in a room the dog can't get to (baby gates).

Tinkobell · 30/08/2018 19:55

I've socialised two puppy / dogs with cats. My tips are:-

keep mood calm when both are around
ensure cat has easily exit route and a non dog zone .....upstairs?
feed in separate areas...ideally cat in an elevated place.
give the dog praise and treats when they are calm around the cat
keep pup on lead until lunging or chasing stops. Whenever thr dog chases or lunges towards the cat put them quickly into a 'ignore' place for 10-15 mins and say NO! Just keep doing that. They get fed up of being ignored as a consequence of cat hounding in the end.....it just doesn't pay.

Flip