A dog chasing a cat is a tale as old as time. Many cartoons, Hollywood motion pictures, and fables from long ago depict this “great war” between these two animals. But, why do dogs chase the cat?
Although it may seem funny at first, your dog chasing your cat can lead to a bad home situation for your feline friend, making them more likely to act out against your dog. I bet your wondering how to stop your dog from chasing the cat?
If your dog is chasing a cat or other smaller animals, it is likely because they are following their canine instincts. Specifically hunting and herding breeds have a strong chase instinct and high prey drive.
Luckily, there are different methods to train this predatory behavior out of your dog with helpful training tools such as plenty of exercise, strong commands, and positive reinforcement.
Keep reading along in this article to learn why dogs chase cats and what you can do as a dog/cat owner to redirect your dog’s instinct.
Why DO DOGS Chase THE Cat?
Dogs chasing cats is a highly popular trope in movies, books, and stories because it is an actual behavior that happens in real life, which most dog owners already know to be true.
The reason some dogs like to chase cats is usually because of their herding instincts. A “herding dog” is one that was bred purposefully for herding small animals into one area. Although your dog may not be out in the fields gathering sheep into the barn, their natural instincts tell them that your cat needs to be in a certain corner of your living room.
The same goes for hunting dog breeds. Their hunting instincts provide them with a high prey drive. Seeing a cat’s quick movements can activate your dog’s prey drive, which means that they are on high alert for any noises or movements that might be made by potential prey or danger. This leads them to chase your cat.
Another common reason your dog chases your cat is that they think of it as a fun game of chase. Your dog may want to play, and chasing the cat is their way of having fun. (Of course, this will result in a very unhappy cat.)
Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Chase Cats?
You might be wondering, are there certain breeds that are more likely to chase? The answer is, yes! As we mentioned before, there are specific breeds called hunting and herding dogs.
These dog breeds that have been generationally bred for the purpose of hunting and herding are most likely to enjoy the thrill of the chase when it comes to cats and other small animals. Here’s a quick list of the breeds most likely to chase:
American Foxhound Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Beagle Belgian Sheepdog Bloodhound Bluetick Coonhound Border Collie Cardigan Welsh Corgi Chesapeake Bay Retriever English Pointer English Setter German Long-haired Pointer German Shepherd Dog Golden Retriever Irish Setter Labrador Retriever Pembroke Welsh Corgi Shetland Sheepdog Spanish Water Dog
Tips To Get Your Dog To Stop Chasing THE Cat
If you have a new puppy or small dog, this instance of chasing may not seem like such an issue. But, if your puppy grows up or you have a bigger dog that continues to chase the cat for a long term period, this could result in serious harm to your resident cat. It’s a good idea to use basic training aids to get rid of this bad behavior and protect the cat’s safety.
Using these tips are a great way to get rid of unwanted behavior so that your dog and cat can live in perfect harmony, and maybe even be best friends! The most important aspects of a training process are positive reinforcement for good behavior and avoiding harsh punishment. Take a look at our list of tips below:
Separate Your Animals and Use Proper Introductions
If your dog keeps chasing your cat, you should provide the cat with a safe area away from the dog. The good news is that this arrangement can be just until your dog learns how to behave in the presence of cats.
Properly introducing your animals is an important step to get them to coexist peacefully. The most effective way to introduce your pets consists of a mixture of calm behavior, separate spaces and tasty treats.
The best way to introduce your dog and cat is to first use baby gates to separate the two animals. Feed them on their respective sides of the gate so that they can see each other.
Food rewards are a positive training tool. The more they eat next to each other, the more they will associate each other with good feelings and make being together feel like a safe place.
Eventually, you can encourage your cat to pass the dog’s threshold and use small treats for your dog to promote good behavior. You’ll be able to tel by your cat’s body language if they are comfortable with the interaction. Continue this process until your animals are safely coexisting.
Teach an Easy Command
Using basic commands is a good way to get your dog’s attention and stop inappropriate behavior. Whether it’s chewing on a shoe or barking at a new dog at the dog park, a simple “No!” or “Sit!” can produce the best results when it comes to obedience.
To do this, practice the command using high-value training treats. If each time they perform the command correctly and earn a treat, there’s a good chance they will continue to perform that command.
These kinds of training sessions along with clicker training are very important when it comes to young puppies or a new pet, as it teaches the dog impulse control as they grow into adulthood.
Use a Leash or Restraint
This concept is similar to separating your animals, your dog’s leash or harness acts as the barrier instead of a door or baby gates.
Use a short leash to control your dog within a room and allow your cat to roam freely. Each time the dog’s focus is directed to something other than the cat, give them a treat. If your dog barks, lunges or tries to chase the cat, use the basic voice command “No” or “Leave It.”
Your sternness of voice will get your puppy’s attention and tell them this action is not okay. After consistent training, you can let your dog off-leash.
Only Allow Interactions with Supervision
In such cases where your dog chases your cat or causes harm to them in any way, it is important to keep their interactions completely separate when you leave the home.
If your cat is not in a safe space with the dog when you are gone, this could be very dangerous. Make sure you are home and able to keep close watch on your pets when they are together. This will allow you to use the tools in the previous steps to prevent your rambunctious puppy from chasing and harming the cat.
Professional Obedience Training
There are many instances of dogs needing professional training classes to help teach behavior. This process might be expensive and time consuming, but it is worth it to raise a polite and well-trained canine citizen. Additionally, if your dog has excess energy, it is a great way to wear them out.
A certified professional dog trainer is a great resource to use when it comes to learning tips and tricks of being a dog owner. These professionals will be able to identify the cause of the problem and provide solutions to correct the behavior.
Summary
To wrap it all up, let’s summarize what we’ve covered. Cat chasing is an annoying and potentially harmful behavior that your puppy or dog might be participating in.
Whether you are bringing home a new pet or these pets have cohabitated for years, it is a good idea to put a stop to the behavior before one of them is seriously injured.
Dogs chase cats because it is part of their natural instincts. Specific breeds that fall into the hunting and herding category such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Prembroke Welsh/Cardigan Welsh Corgis are more likely to chase cats and other small animals because that is what they were bred to do many years ago.
The good news is there are many methods to train this bad behavior out of your dog. Tactics such as separating the animals, teaching basic voice commands and using positive reinforcement such as food or training treats are great options to use.
If all else fails, it is recommended to seek professional training where they can directly diagnose the reason for your dog chasing your cat. We hope this article was helpful in learning how to get your dog to stop chasing your cat.
Sources
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/herding/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-hunting-dogs-4177817
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/behaviour/training/stop-dog-chasing-cat
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