Often dogs and cats are considered enemies of each other. In fact, the two can live together peacefully, and even be friends with each other. However, reaching this phase takes time and patience, especially if the two are quite old and have never been introduced to each other before. With a little effort, you can train your dog to stop chasing cats so things are fun for everyone at home.
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Method 1 of 5: Introducing Dogs and Cats to Each Other
Step 1. Choose the right place to introduce your two pets to each other
It's a good idea to do it at home. Taking your dog to meet the 'potential' pet cat at an animal shelter (or perhaps at a pet store) or vice versa can be a very traumatic experience, especially for cats. Therefore, almost all pet experts recommend doing introductions at home.
Step 2. Choose a new pet that you feel will fit and 'get along' with your old pet
If you bring a new cat home while your dog has been living with you for a long time (or vice versa), there is a good chance that your dog will chase the cat. Plus, your cat is likely to hate it and even attack it. If you want to keep a new pet at home, along with your old one, try asking the staff at the animal shelter or pet store if there are cats who get along easily with dogs (or vice versa, dogs who get along easily with cats).). This way, if a problem occurs after you bring your new pet home, it's more of an adjustment period, not a major issue (especially with regards to the relationship between your pets).
Step 3. Make sure there is no tension when you introduce the two pets
While it may be difficult to make your first meeting stress-free, it's important for both of your pets. Some basic exercises and strengthening through rewarding can be helpful in helping the two pets get to know each other.
- Give treats to cats and dogs. Choose a treat that both of you like, even though cats are more picky when it comes to food. Try giving your cat tuna or chicken pieces as a tasty treat.
- Train your dog, or renew his training. Make sure the main goals of the exercise are to make him learn to stay calm, come when called, and 'leave' or let go of things. This exercise needs to be done before you bring a new cat home, or before you bring a new dog home (in this case, your old pet is a cat) because your dog should be able to be stopped if he starts chasing or bothering the cat.
- Take your dog for a run or let him run in the yard (make sure your yard is fenced off) before introducing him to the cat. This is done to reduce your dog's energy so that he is less likely to chase the cat when introduced.
Step 4. Introduce your two pets
This introduction must be carried out under strict supervision. Make sure your dog is wearing a leash or leash and, if he seems to want to chase the cat, distract them with an appropriate treat. It's also a good idea to ask someone (eg a friend or other family member) to help you and that person focus on each animal.
Allow each animal to sniff each other. When introduced, do not let the two be in opposite corners of the room (far away from each other). You need to mediate between the two if at any time one of the animals becomes aggressive
Step 5. Give the two animals a compliment
If both of them show a good attitude, give them a compliment, pet them, and give them extra treats.
For the first few weeks, you can continue to give them both praise whenever your dog and cat are calm when they are together
Method 2 of 5: Teaching the Dog to Leave or Let Go of Something
Step 1. Hold a treat for your dog in each hand
After that, let your dog sniff only your one hand. He's likely to be happy to learn that the treat you have in your hand will be given to him, but it's important that you (for now) ignore his attempts to get the treat.
Step 2. Say “Leave
The most important part of this exercise is to ignore your dog until he stops trying to get the treats you're holding. Keep saying "Leave!" (or “Leave!”) until he obeys your orders. This process may take a while, but eventually your dog will stop trying to take the treat from your hand and sit in front of you.
Step 3. Praise and reward your dog
After he stops trying to grab the treat in your hand, say "Good dog" and give him the treat in the other hand. It's important to keep in mind that you shouldn't give him any treats he previously used during training because that will only make him understand that he can eventually get anything, even if you tell him to leave it.
Step 4. Repeat the exercise process
It is important that you remain consistent in delivering and with training. Repeat the process until your dog immediately moves away or backs off when you tell him to leave or stay away from your hand.
Step 5. Use the “Leave” command when your dog is near a cat
Once he's mastered the command, you can start using it when he's around a cat. However, it's important to stay alert and keep an eye on both of them because, while your dog may be able to leave treats when you tell him to, he may be reluctant to leave or stay away from what he considers to be prey. Be patient, and keep practicing until your dog is able to leave your cat on command.
Method 3 of 5: Training a Dog Using a Clicker
Step 1. Buy a clicker for practice
A clicker is a small plastic device with a retractable metal hook or tongue. This tool can be used as an aid in pet training. In clicker practice, the trainer holds the clicker in his hand and quickly presses a button on the clicker so that the device makes a clicking sound. A trained dog will get used to hearing that clicking sound every time he does something good.
Clickers can be purchased at various pet supply stores and online
Step 2. Introduce the clicker to your dog
They should only be used to enable your dog to behave the way you want them to, and should be used (suppressed) as soon as possible in response to his good behavior. Get your dog to associate his good behavior (in this case, not chasing the cat) to the clicking sound of the device.
Step 3. Give him a treat right away
The last part of this exercise is to provide a snack after you click the clicker. You need to respond quickly to his behavior because your dog needs to associate his good behavior with clicking sounds, and clicking sounds with treats.
Step 4. Imitate your cat's movements
As you continue to practice, you will need to gradually add challenges that require you to imitate the cat's movements. This can make it easier for your dog to adjust to real scenarios or situations that may arise when your dog and cat adjust to each other's presence.
- When your dog is watching you, start moving backwards quickly and suddenly.
- Stop suddenly. If your dog stops approaching and sits down (rather than continuing to chase and approach), press the clicker and give him a treat.
Step 5. Celebrate the progress shown by your dog
He won't be able to learn a new way of behaving overnight. However, over time he will learn all the tasks you teach him (in this case, not chasing the cat). It's important that you reward him as you work toward your training goals, even for small steps or progress. To be able to solve instinctive behavior, you basically need to break down the parts of the behavior. Whenever he starts chasing the cat but, eventually, stops chasing, use the clicker to make a clicking sound and give him a reward. In the end, he was able to break his habit of chasing cats.
Method 4 of 5: Preventing Cats from Chasing Cats in Your Home
Step 1. Make sure you put a leash or leash on your dog
If your dog tends to often chase cats that roam around the house, it's a good idea to keep a leash and leash on when taking him for walks. If you want to let him walk without being tied to a leash, make sure you take him for a walk in a place where cats (surely) don't, such as a dog park or other quiet place away from where you live. Try to untie your dog only when no cats are around. Keep in mind that cats are most active in the morning and evening because they often roam at night hunting for food.
- Use the “Leave” command when you take your dog for a walk. Even if he's tied up, there's a good chance he might try to run and break free from the leash when he sees the cat. By teaching him to let the cat he sees, you can reduce the pressure or tension when taking him for a walk in an area that is frequented or 'occupied' by cats.
- If your dog tugs at the leash or barks when he's tied to the leash, he may be experiencing 'leash' aggression. In simple terms, he assumes that you are worried about how he reacts to animals, and he thinks other animals are a threat. To train him not to show such aggression, practice getting your dog's attention no matter what. Give him a reward if he manages to see and keep staring at you. Start exercising in a quiet place, like your home, then gradually work your way up to keep your dog focused on you (and the treats he wants), regardless of any other animals he may encounter when you take him for a walk.
- Another important skill you need to teach when you let him walk around without a leash is the ability to come when called. Try teaching your dog to come (and approach you) when you run away from him because he may chase you. This will make it easier for him to learn this command at the beginning of the exercise because he will associate your praise with the pursuit (at you). Give him a treat as a gift and praise him whenever he comes when called.
Step 2. Limit keeping your dog in the yard
If you have a large yard and want to let your dog run freely in the yard, make sure there is a fence that borders your yard, or attach a tether and leash to keep your dog from running out of the yard. This is done to make sure he doesn't chase after other cats that roam and live in the neighborhood around your house.
Step 3. Prevent foreign cats from entering and wandering in the yard
If your neighbors have cats outside the house that often roam your yard, the best way to prevent your dog from chasing them is to keep them out of your yard. You can shoo or chase it immediately whenever the cat enters the yard, or use a motion-sensing water spray at several points in the yard. The device is capable of detecting motion and spraying the target with water so it can be the right device to repel foreign cats that usually enter and roam the yard.
Method 5 of 5: Knowing the Right Time to Engage in the Pursuit
Step 1. Understand why dogs chase cats
The main reasons dogs chase cats are because they want to play with cats (maybe they think of them as other dogs), or because the cat's movements trigger predatory instincts in dogs. Regardless of the reason, as a pet owner you need to be involved in the pursuit whenever necessary to prevent one pet from harming the other. Even when your dog just wants to play with the cat, there's a good chance he's playing too aggressively, and may try to chase or bite the cat as part of his play. If your dog is chasing prey, of course you should get involved and stop him because he can kill your cat easily. On the other hand, your cat can cause serious injury to your dog too.
Step 2. Always supervise your pets
The practice and adjustment period may take some time (maybe quite a while). Eventually, once your cat and dog get used to each other's presence, you can let them move and be together without needing to be supervised. However, it will take at least one month to reach this phase (possibly even longer). Therefore, the most important thing is that you can make sure the two don't hurt each other when left unattended.
Step 3. Punish him if he chases the cat
Whenever your dog violates his training and chases the cat, try giving him a 'punishment'. However, the punishment given should not be dangerous. Basically, you just need to move him away from the situation (eg from where he saw the cat) so that he knows that he has shown a bad attitude.
- Choose a 'punishment room' and use that room consistently when you punish your dog. Choose a room that is somewhat isolated from other rooms or people's activities, such as a bathroom. However, make sure the room is 'appropriate' for your dog to occupy. For example, don't keep your dog in a basement that doesn't have heating in cold weather. Or, don't keep your dog in an unventilated or uncontrolled room when the weather is hot.
- Calmly say "You're punished" when your dog starts chasing the cat.
- Carefully remove your dog (by holding the collar) from where he is chasing the cat and take him to the punishment room.
- Wait a few moments-about a minute or two-then calmly remove your dog from the room. If he repeats his bad behavior, calmly (but immediately) return him to the punishment room.
Step 4. Make your dog feel disinterested in cats
If none of the exercises work to prevent your dog from chasing the cat, try to keep your dog from being attracted to the cat. However, this should only be used as a last resort and should not injure or harm your dog. Pet experts suggest associating cat chase behavior with unpleasant things, such as hearing annoying noises or getting a spray of odors (e.g. the smell of oranges). In fact, spraying your dog with cold (and clean) water is enough to keep him from giving chase. Over time, he'll associate his cat chasing behavior with, say, an annoying citrus-scented spray (make sure it's safe for dogs) or spraying cold water on his face. This way, he won't chase the cat anymore.
Step 5. Try to work with a trainer or animal behaviorist
If all your efforts don't work to prevent your dog from chasing the cat, try working with a specialist. Make sure the specialist has a certificate, such as a professional dog trainer certificate or a certificate from an animal behaviorist agency. Although the exercise will be done in many sessions, a certified specialist in veterinary education and training will be able to find out what is driving your dog to continue chasing cats, and what can be done to break the habit.
You can find information about a certified professional dog trainer or certified veterinary behaviorist in your city on the internet. Make sure you check the specialist's referral or certificate and look for reviews posted by other dog owners on the internet who have worked with or used the specialist's services
Tips
- Don't let your dog eat your cat's food or use the litter box. This can add stress to the cat, and make it aggressive towards your dog.
- When giving verbal commands, you do not need to shout or raise your voice.
- Stay consistent in giving and undergoing training. Repetition and reward are very useful in teaching your dog new behaviors or things.
Warning
- Never hit an animal. Not only is it cruel, but the spanking can cause your pet to experience behavioral problems, such as aggressive behavior and fear.
- Do not use a leash as a collar for your dog as this can injure him. Use a soft leash, and attach your dog to a collar and short leash when you want to introduce him to the cat.
- Not all dogs can learn not to chase other animals. If your dog has a strong predatory instinct, he will probably always try to chase small animals, regardless of his intelligence or desire to please you. If you feel that your dog has such strong instincts, focus on teaching the "Leave" command. Make sure she gets plenty of practice each day, and keeps her necklace and leash on whenever you take her out of the house.
