Dog chasing the Cat? How to stop this?

Nobody wants to deal with their dog chasing the cat, especially if the cat is clearly not enjoying it! This can be frustrating for you as well as for your cat.

Consequently, it’s a good idea to follow these tips to help stop the behavior. In most cases, all it takes is some solid training and exercise to get your dog to behave.

Why should you stop your dog from chasing the cat?

In most cases, the dog is having fun and is trying to get the cat to play along. However, being chased around on a near constant basis can be stressful for your cat and annoying for you.

This kind of behavior can also be the result of a dog that is under-stimulated and seeking some fun.

Finding a resolution to keep your dog from chasing the cat can take work. But, in the end, it can result in having a dog that is better trained, better exercised and a cat that is happier and more relaxed.

1- Control the environment

The first step is to take control of the environment. This can include removing the offending dog from the scene.  Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean getting rid of your dog. It just means placing the dog in another area where it can calm down.

You can consider it a timeout that gives your dog a chance to relax and forget about chasing the cat.

2- Make good introductions

One of the best ways to prevent this type of behavior is to make sure your cat and dog were introduced in a calm, slow way.

With the right kind of introduction, there will be less excitement that can lead to your dog taking interest in chasing the cat.

3- Be prepared

Situations can be typically playful in nature, but in some cases, they can escalate into a fight. As a result, it’s important to be prepared to resolve the issue quickly.

Ideally, you should be able to stop the situation before it escalates that far, for the safety of your pets. Make sure you are armed with distractions, and the ability to separate them at any moment.

4- Work on dog training

Since the dog is the offending member in this situation, it’s important to work on training your dog. This is going to take a lot of patience, and a decent amount of time. However, it’s sure to pay off in the end. As you’ll have a happier, more peaceful household for yourself and your pets.

While it might seem complicated, this mostly will include rewarding the dog for the kinds of behaviors you want to see.

5- Acclimate your cat

There are some things you can do to help your cat with being more comfortable around your dog. One of the best ways to do this is by allowing them to have a space the dog can’t get to. Things like cat trees and cat shelves can be an excellent solution.

In addition, some treats for your cat during calm times together can’t hurt the situation either.

6- Use rewards

Another important tip to keep in mind is that positive reinforcement is far more appropriate than punishing your dog. There is a reason that the dog has fixated on chasing the cat, and resolving that can help to stop the problem behavior.

Using rewards, fun activities and other methods can show your dog that it’s fun to behave in the way you want them to. In turn, that makes the dog want to engage in positive behaviors rather than spending time chasing the cat.

With patience and care, this can be highly effective.

7- Exercise your dog

As earlier mentioned, it’s likely that your dog is just trying to get some exercise and fun where it might otherwise be lacking. Because of that, helping them to get more productive exercise can allow them to relax more easily when they’re at home.

Going on more walks, playing outdoor games like fetch or frisbee, or even training them to do new tricks can be great ways to allow the dog more stimulation in positive ways.

As a result, the dog will be less interested in chasing the cat, and you’ll have a home that is far more calm, happy and filled with harmony.

Conclusion

Overall, the most important aspect is to stay calm when you start working with your pets. If you follow these tips and remain patient, you’ll find that your dog picks up other interests and forgets about cat-chasing completely.

If you find that trying out these tips doesn‘t work for you, you can get the help of a professional dog trainer. Or even take your dog to a class. These kinds of activities can provide some training methods and tips that you may not have known about before.

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This guest post is submitted by Chloe, who is a lover of all things cute and furry, with three cats and two dogs taking up most of her free time. When she does have time to blog, she likes to write about anything and everything to do with pets and pet care. You will find some very interesting information about how to care for your fur babies on her blog, kittywise.com. 

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Do you have pets? I would like to know about them. Tell me in the comments below.

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