Dog Chases Cats ........ URGH !

[ArkRescue]

Alright so I adopt this great dog from the shelter a few months ago, he's now housebroken, he's a messy eater, but does go back and eat the crumbs later , and he doesn't tear up anything. What more could I ask right?

He chases the cats! He really wants to bite them! Heaven forbid what he would do to one of the guinea pigs. I am training him to be tolerant of the cats and it's working, but slowly. I have to watch him constantly and correct him verbally when he appears interested in a cat. Does anyone know of any ways to desensitize a dog to cats other than what I'm already doing?

Okay so now I know I'm going to get some wise cracks about dogs having cat sandwiches lol.

 

[belvak]

Call Cesar!!

Seriously, I think you're doing all you can. Hopefully he will get used to them soon. At least the cats are getting regular exercise!!

 

[cattitude]

A penny can! Use a small coffee can or soda can and put pennies (or other coins) in it. When he goes after the cat, shake it and say NO!. You might want to keep him on a leash in the house so you are able to recall him while correcting him. Best way to train a dog is not to let him commit the mistake in the first place.

Gradually, if and when the cats approach, keep the dog calm..pet him and tell him good boy and give him a treat. Or if the cats are willing another person could bring the cat around the dog and then proceed with calming and praising the dog. Just don't force it and go slowly.

 

[Bay_Kat]

a couple of good smacks from my oldest cat did the trick with my dog. He knows which ones he can mess with, doubt my dog would ever bite them, he just wants to play. My little kitty will play with him, he'll lie on the floor and the dog will push him around with his nose, it's kind of funny to watch.

 

[ArkRescue]

During his first week with us I found him with a cat IN HIS MOUTH! He didn't bite it, was just holding onto it apparently? The cat was struggling to get free. I did have to choke him to get him to let go of the cat, and I found a cat claw imbedded in his head. I fear the next time he will bite down and as big and strong as his mouth is, that could be the end for the cat. He doesn't seem affected by being bitten by another animal as he was in a fight with another dog that bit him and he kept fighting despite the other dogs owner hitting him in the head with his fist repeatedly.

So far he has gone from NOT listening to me at all to now reponding to my correction. A few days ago I wasn't paying attention and he went after a cat and by the time I caught up to him he split off to the left while the cat went to the right - ahh progress!

I will see cats walk by him and sometimes he looks and other times he doesn't. So there has been progress for sure. I'm just wondering if I'll ever trust him with the cats? I've had a cat in my lap when he walks up to be petted and sniffs the cat and is okay with it all. I think it's when the cats run that he gets excited the most.

A penny can! Use a small coffee can or soda can and put pennies (or other coins) in it. When he goes after the cat, shake it and say NO!. You might want to keep him on a leash in the house so you are able to recall him while correcting him. Best way to train a dog is not to let him commit the mistake in the first place.

Gradually, if and when the cats approach, keep the dog calm..pet him and tell him good boy and give him a treat. Or if the cats are willing another person could bring the cat around the dog and then proceed with calming and praising the dog. Just don't force it and go slowly.

 

[KVF323]

soooooooo kind of the same question. My Kendra angel (tortoise cat about 3 yrs old ) stalks our fatty cat. they are both declawed in the front but they have gotten into some scraps where Kendra come sout with a mouth full of fur. Kendra is constantly stalking the fat cat! We keep fatty in the bedroom to keep the seperated, but even when we do that Kendra just sits by the door waiting. If we let Kendra in they both start hissing and fighting. Any thoughts? We are thinking maybe lock them both in the bathroom and see which one comes out alive :shrug:

 

[thatguy]

During his first week with us I found him with a cat IN HIS MOUTH! He didn't bite it, was just holding onto it apparently? The cat was struggling to get free. I did have to choke him to get him to let go of the cat, and I found a cat claw imbedded in his head. I fear the next time he will bite down and as big and strong as his mouth is, that could be the end for the cat. He doesn't seem affected by being bitten by another animal as he was in a fight with another dog that bit him and he kept fighting despite the other dogs owner hitting him in the head with his fist repeatedly.

So far he has gone from NOT listening to me at all to now reponding to my correction. A few days ago I wasn't paying attention and he went after a cat and by the time I caught up to him he split off to the left while the cat went to the right - ahh progress!

I will see cats walk by him and sometimes he looks and other times he doesn't. So there has been progress for sure. I'm just wondering if I'll ever trust him with the cats? I've had a cat in my lap when he walks up to be petted and sniffs the cat and is okay with it all. I think it's when the cats run that he gets excited the most.

what kind of dag are we talking about? There could be some breed specific exercise that could help......

Also, it sounds like you have a prey driven pooch and that it may never reallty be safe to leave him alone with other animals. especially if it seems to be attacking dogs and cats

 

[ArkRescue]

American Bulldog Mix. He gets along with dogs that are not aggressive. The dog he fought was aggressive toward him, so I'm sure that was the reason for the fight. I will however be very cautious with him with other dogs after that experience.

what kind of dag are we talking about? There could be some breed specific exercise that could help......

Also, it sounds like you have a prey driven pooch and that it may never reallty be safe to leave him alone with other animals. especially if it seems to be attacking dogs and cats

 

[thatguy]

American Bulldog Mix. He gets along with dogs that are not aggressive. The dog he fought was aggressive toward him, so I'm sure that was the reason for the fight. I will however be very cautious with him with other dogs after that experience.

those are handsome dogs, but i have known quite a few with similar dispositions. probably something that wont ever change completely.

 

[bookrat]

Alright so I adopt this great dog from the shelter a few months ago, he's now housebroken, he's a messy eater, but does go back and eat the crumbs later , and he doesn't tear up anything. What more could I ask right?

He chases the cats! He really wants to bite them! Heaven forbid what he would do to one of the guinea pigs. I am training him to be tolerant of the cats and it's working, but slowly. I have to watch him constantly and correct him verbally when he appears interested in a cat. Does anyone know of any ways to desensitize a dog to cats other than what I'm already doing?

Okay so now I know I'm going to get some wise cracks about dogs having cat sandwiches lol.

Put a soft muzzle on him...no kidding...that will help training.

 

[bookrat]

soooooooo kind of the same question. My Kendra angel (tortoise cat about 3 yrs old ) stalks our fatty cat. they are both declawed in the front but they have gotten into some scraps where Kendra come sout with a mouth full of fur. Kendra is constantly stalking the fat cat! We keep fatty in the bedroom to keep the seperated, but even when we do that Kendra just sits by the door waiting. If we let Kendra in they both start hissing and fighting. Any thoughts? We are thinking maybe lock them both in the bathroom and see which one comes out alive :shrug:

You declawed them?

Give them their claws back..and then see what happens.

 

[ArkRescue]

That's my fear. He does pretty well when I'm paying attention, but let me get busy with something and he can get into trouble pretty fast if I don't see the signs to correct the "interest" as it starts. Sort of like Cesar Milan says about corrrection before the process ever gets underway. Ear movement can trigger my correction.

those are handsome dogs, but i have known quite a few with similar dispositions. probably something that wont ever change completely.

 

[ArkRescue]

YES, I had forgotten about my quest for a muzzle - I need to measure him as he's got an awfully large head compared to his body. I would feel much better if he had a muzzle on so I assume the "soft" one is one he wouldn't mind so much, as in wouldn't be uncomfortable ? - I'll search online for one. I assume the terms "soft muzzle dog" will get the results I need? Or is there some other (professional) name for it?

Put a soft muzzle on him...no kidding...that will help training.

 

[Cowgirl]

Another thing you can try, besides the one Catt suggested, is to get a water spray bottle to use. Bring the cat near him and spray him with water when he looks at the cat. Keep doing this and he'll eventually learn that being near cats is a bad thing, and not want to go near them.

 

[StadEMS3]

Newly married, wife has a cat and I have dogs. We keep them seperate at all times. The German Shepherd and Beagle have a few critter kills under thier belt, so we don't want to chance it. Cat is happy and content downstairs in the apartment with step-daughter and 3 doors in between them. Dogs stay upstairs so they can use the doggie door and fenced backyard. The dogs have no idea the cat is down there and we want to keep it that way.

 

[ArkRescue]

That works!

Interestingly he didn't show much interest in the cats at the shelter when he saw them at a distance (P G shelter will not cat test dogs anymore). So we hoped for the best and well ..... crap!

I may end up needing to rehome him where there are no cats? Lots of dogs can't deal with cats, so if he turns out to be unable to handle cats, then I'll find him a home with no cats.

Newly married, wife has a cat and I have dogs. We keep them seperate at all times. The German Shepherd and Beagle have a few critter kills under thier belt, so we don't want to chance it. Cat is happy and content downstairs in the apartment with step-daughter and 3 doors in between them. Dogs stay upstairs so they can use the doggie door and fenced backyard. The dogs have no idea the cat is down there and we want to keep it that way.

 

[ArkRescue]

Worth a try for sure.

I went to Petsmart to look at soft muzzles and a lady who works there approached me to ask why I was considering a muzzle, and did I know they can only be used for 20 minutes at a time? I explained my situation and she said well keeping the muzzle on for more than 20 minutes can restrict their breathing. I said oh hmm then had to leave the store at that point.

I didn't make it back to Petsmart to buy the soft muzzle yet, but may get it later today. Just how much breathing trouble can he get into if he only has the muzzle on when I'm there supervising? Not like I'd leave him at home with the cats with the muzzle on, and unsupervised.

Another thing you can try, besides the one Catt suggested, is to get a water spray bottle to use. Bring the cat near him and spray him with water when he looks at the cat. Keep doing this and he'll eventually learn that being near cats is a bad thing, and not want to go near them.

 

[morningbell]

I kept dogs away from cat for the first month, now they are able to be in the same room together, on Christmas eve I caught my cat sitting less then 3 feet away from my female mix by the Christmas tree. My suggestion is to keep them away from each other and someday pup will forget about how exciting the sight of the cat is :shrug:

 

[Cowgirl]

Worth a try for sure.

I went to Petsmart to look at soft muzzles and a lady who works there approached me to ask why I was considering a muzzle, and did I know they can only be used for 20 minutes at a time? I explained my situation and she said well keeping the muzzle on for more than 20 minutes can restrict their breathing. I said oh hmm then had to leave the store at that point.

I didn't make it back to Petsmart to buy the soft muzzle yet, but may get it later today. Just how much breathing trouble can he get into if he only has the muzzle on when I'm there supervising? Not like I'd leave him at home with the cats with the muzzle on, and unsupervised.

In my opinion, muzzling is not the way to go. You need to teach him, not just prevent him from harming the cat. And I tend to agree with the lady at Petsmart. I wouldn't keep a muzzle on my dog for any long amount of time. If I HAD to use a muzzle, I'd use a basket muzzle so the dog can still open his mouth, drink, pant, etc. I'm not sure if basket style muzzles work for bully breed dogs though. Maybe they make a style to fit them. I've never looked.

You really need to spend a good amount of time teaching the dog to ignore the cat. If you keep them separated, it will be a CONSTANT battle because the dog won't ever get the chance to see the cat, smell it, and learn it's not a toy or something to chase.

 

[ArkRescue]

For now he isn't separated when he can be supervised and corrected. I have to say he IS getting better. I think there's hope for him. I didn't buy the muzzle by the way.

In my opinion, muzzling is not the way to go. You need to teach him, not just prevent him from harming the cat. And I tend to agree with the lady at Petsmart. I wouldn't keep a muzzle on my dog for any long amount of time. If I HAD to use a muzzle, I'd use a basket muzzle so the dog can still open his mouth, drink, pant, etc. I'm not sure if basket style muzzles work for bully breed dogs though. Maybe they make a style to fit them. I've never looked.

You really need to spend a good amount of time teaching the dog to ignore the cat. If you keep them separated, it will be a CONSTANT battle because the dog won't ever get the chance to see the cat, smell it, and learn it's not a toy or something to chase.