Does your dog like to chase your cat? If so, your cat probably isn't
crazy about this arrangement. And the last thing you need around the
holidays is your pets fighting like, well...cats and dogs. Even though
both species think themselves to be predators, dogs often consider cats
their prey.
Here are four easy ways to keep the peace in your mixed-species household:
When you can't supervise, separate your dog from your cat with a
door or gate. This will protect your cat from injury and block your dog
from engaging in the unwanted chasing behavior.When you are around, make
sure to let your dog know chasing is unacceptable every time he engages
in the behavior. A strong and simple "No!" is a good start.
Reprogram your dog's desire to chase small moving animals by
putting him on a leash when your cat enters the room. As soon as your
dog notices the cat, begin feeding him pieces of a high-quality treat
like boiled chicken. Keep feeding your dog as long as your cat is
visible, but keep him on-leash. Your dog will eventually associate the
cat entering the room with your feeding him treats, so he will come to
you rather than focusing on your cat. After a while, you can even test
this process without a leash. You may also need to condition your cat to
be calmer in the presence of your dog!
Stay positive by using a familiar command rather than yelling.
Or, you can teach your dog a basic emergency "pause" cue like "Stop!".
If you teach the cue as a game, associating it with a yummy treat, you
can make your dog stop his behavior long enough for your cat to safely
escape.
Keep cats indoors so that your dog has less space to chase. It's
also hard for dogs to tell the difference between a squirrel, rabbit or
cat when they are playing outdoors. If your cat reacts badly to the
indoor lifestyle, consider building her a screened-in enclosure.
These
methods, along with some patience and compassion, will help you make
your home a place where cats and dogs live happily ever after.
