Mel

Any tips on getting a dog to stop running up to the cats? She was fine the first few weeks, mostly ignored them. Now she is running up to them randomly. Not in a vicious manner, more playful, but obviously it scares the cats. I have places they can go that she can’t and they still wander the house as usual but I’d like the behavior to stop for the cats benefit.

(I will be getting training but money is a bit tight at the moment).

#Dog #DogTraining

Mar 13 at 3:26pmWeb
Show threadKamihackMar 13

@Melezioh do you play with the cats? Specifically: do you hold them in your arms?

That could lead to the dog wanting to "play with them" too.

When getting a dog used to have cats in their surroundings it's best to ignore the cats so they are seen as part of the context.

That's how I trained my schnauzer to "not chase" the cat around the house.

Show threadMelMar 13
@kamihack thanks! Yea we were told she lived with cats and she was completely non-reactive at first. She will ignore cats on walks and everything. Maybe she’s gotten the idea from us that they are to be played with.
Show threadKamihackMar 13

@Melezioh it took us around 4 weeks of ignoring the cat, until the dog stopped the urge to chase the cat.

Also when having two in the same room, make sure the cat is there first than the dog.

It sounds odd, but it worked for me.

Show threadShari SpiewakMar 14
@Melezioh Hold the dog on a leash in the same room as the cats so that she can see them but can’t reach them. When she stays calm (sits or lies down) and doesn’t lunge toward the cats, give her a treat. When she chooses to look away from the cats, give her a treat. Repeat, repeat, repeat. This teaches that it’s rewarding to leave the cats alone. Good luck!
Show threadMelMar 14
@ShariBaby thanks!