The 'it' in question might be food that has fallen on the floor, something your dog picks up on a walk, another dog, or even a child. Give your pooch the most delicious treats when they don’t pay any attention to the kitty, they need to know you’re rewarding the behavior of ignoring the cat. She doesn't care what treats or food you have, her focus is on the cat. I want my dog to ignore cats. Make sure your cat always has an easily accessible safe haven to rest in. My neighbor has a cat and when she sees the cat she barks like crazy. Grab a bag of delicious treats, appropriate for your pooch's age and breed or make your own delicious treats at home. You can start by securing your puppy with a leash so that he can’t get at your cat, and have a friend bring your cat into the room. If you like to train with a clicker as your marker, you can also hold a clicker in the same hand that holds the high-value treat. also what have you tried to curb this behavior? You can also back tie pup while they are on place - connecting a long leash attached to pup to something near the Place just in case pup were to try to get off Place before you could intervene. Never leave the two unattended. if the dog chases then the dog needs to be punished. Give your pup the new toy and engage them in play, completely ignoring the cat in the crate. You know your dog, so you alone know what items he would consider more interesting, but don’t jump to high-value items right away. Dogs love plain home-cooked chicken breast, cut into the correct size pieces. remember you must reenforce the behaviors that you like and punish the behaviors that you do not. Cats Are Social Animals One of the most popular posts on the All Dogs Go To Heaven blog is “When leaving a dog home alone, how long is too long?" Keep the dog and cat separated nonetheless for quite awhile until you know your dog is not going to chase the cat. And may only wake up if a favorite person comes to the door. Most importantly, a new toy is on the agenda. you cannot just praise the dog for allowing the cat to … Watch for any of the good behaviors. Even though you’re practicing “leave it” as a way to keep your dog safe, you want him to see it as a fun game you play. The first thing to do is to get the dog exercised to get that energy out of them. We adopted a dog from a bad situation ( he was kept outside and didn't seem to have much contact with people). Teaching your dog to leave the cat alone can be tricky. Teaching a dog this will leave them at a much easier, calm state of mind, and with a more relaxed state of mind, dogs will always make better choices. Mild cat issue - teaching impulse control: Puppies with an older cat will be easier to train also and will be less likely to cause injury to a larger cat, therefore it is advisable to train them young. When your dog is proficient at the game in your home, start practicing in a variety of locations with more distractions. If your dog only gets that sort of attention right before you leave them alone, they’ll realize it means you’re about to go. Surely, when your dog chases the cat there are furniture and household items that become casualties of the chase. Also on walks she really pulls me to chase any stray cat she sees and she's getting heavy. She is able to warm up to dogs, but this one doesn't seem to be working out. Let your cat move around as much as they normally would, expressing normal behavior. The Controlled Intro Method is also effective but Arlo needs to know the Down-Stay and Leave it Commands. She'll do well with the mental and physical stimulation that classes provide. The timeline for training is variable depending on age and breed, but is likely to take weeks to months. If you live in a household with a cat, or you’re thinking about getting a cat in a house with a dog, training will be required. Get close enough that Chomper can see the cat, but not close enough to touch. I normally have her out on a leash with the cat, and she constantly tries to lunge and chase. Try How to be Friends Method described here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-to-not-chase-cats. It’s not just about cats.. it’s smaller animals in general. Unfortunately a prey drive dog is probably incorrigible and you'll have to keep them separated or that's the end of kitty. Leaving a cat alone for a week can end in a disaster. Unfortunately the cats take this as abuse, so they spend most oftheir time hiding somevhere or high up in a cat tree/furniture. Almost exactly a year ago, my brother and sister bought two puppies who I will refer to as Cersei and Jaime. Required fields are marked *. If you’re clicker training your pooch, also grab your clicker to signify good behavior. If this is herding based behavior, then some of the milder, impulse control, structured activities may be enough. Work on those obedience commands as well as any others you have taught him. Place your dog on a leash and do this same exercise standing up. Read the entire guide through for helpful advice I recommend you take Athena to dog training classes right away as well. The first thing to do is to get the dog exercised to get that energy out of them. When you say “leave it” and he stops sniffing right away, leash your dog and then toss a low-value treat outside of his reach. I highly suggest keeping the animals completely separate when you are away. Except now, use your foot rather than your hand to cover the dropped food. Group classes socialize a dog and help to cement a bond between owner and dog. She'll bond with you and also socialize - that's extremely important with any dog but especially one that is big and strong.Good luck and have fun training Athena! © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Save yourself a lot of expense by preventing this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MLJV5PBh7Y https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Just to be on the safe side as you do not know the prey drive. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheZakGeorge How to teach Stay for a period of time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzO2d4es28w How to teach Stay while dis… But when the danger is in your own home, you need to be especially vigilant. This will save you a load of worrying about what they’re up to while you can’t keep an … Play a game within proximity of the cat (having the cat safely out of reach in a crate). Practice this exercise a number of times. Your dog needs to learn to sit and down or “emergency drop” on cue, as well as “leave it” (break eye contact with) for the safety and comfort of your cats. What are some methods I can use to get him to stop? Teaching “Leave It” It’s very helpful to teach your dog a phrase that means he should refrain from picking up a particular item from the ground. Place - two ways to teach: You'll learn how to stop her from pulling etc. Practice this until your dog will do “Leave it/Drop” without any prior warm-ups. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Really get this behavior in his head, by keeping doing it for a few weeks, practicing every day for 5-10 minutes. Check out the videos linked below. If he behaves well, reward him with verbal praise and a … Leave It: I would work on the Crate Intro Method. my dog won't bite cat, just wants to play. It is vital that you can handle her in every situation. Make sure that your cats always have a safe and secure haven to escape to easily where Athena cannot reach them, and don't leave them unattended together. Practicing the command until you get to the point where pup will stay on Place while you are working with the cat in the same room. By doing so, you are teaching him that asking him to leave some food doesn’t mean he won’t get anything, but that in fact he might get something even more delicious. Pop your kitty in their cat carrier with a favorite toy or catnip for distraction. Most dogs love interacting with us, so a moment of praise or play with a toy can be just as effective as a treat. Step #1: Get a clicker and start training the dog; Step #2: Be the cat; Take the chasing off the table https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWF2Ohik8iM This keeps kitty safe while practicing and reinforces to pup that they can't get off the Place. Once he breaks his attention away from the cats, you reward him with a treat. Only use this method if your cat is confident, this is not fair for shy, easily stressed cats. If Kleenex or a piece of plastic, for instance, would attract your dog on a walk, don’t start with those. When rewarding him with a treat, make sure that it is something good, not plain old kibble. Don’t unleash your pooch until you’re a hundred percent sure he gets it and won’t chase your kitty. After about a week or so of working on the command, you can start taking him around the cats while on leash. November 17, 2014 Then use it when the dog goes to check out the cat. After using five different “boring” items, start using slightly more exciting items. I don't know how to have them possibly coexist when she doesn't want to listen to me whatsoever. Put one type of treat in each hand. Related Articles. Reward pup for any calmness and tolerance around the cat throughout the day. She managed to chase the cat a few times already.The cat likes to be chased and 'teases' my dog my walking around and trying to get close. If Chomper knows the sit cue, have him sit. He will lunge at her and try to chase her in efforts to "play". This will save you a load of worrying about what they’re up to while you can’t keep an eye on them, as well as keeping your two furry best friends safe by having them live in harmony. Mar 25, 2018 - As wonderful and delightful as pet cats are, caring for them is definitely not easy. Work on impulse control in general with pup, by teaching things that increase impulse control and calmness - such as a long, Place command around lots of distractions. - Your dog will likely try to nudge and lick your hand to get the treat out - don¿t respond to any of these attempts. . The idea is that the cat catches your pooch's attention, but he becomes used to it and learns to ignore the feline. Every pup loves a shopping excursion at their favorite pet supply store. Practice the Consistency Method. Your email address will not be published. Thinkstock During the learning period, he should probably wear a house lead, so you can ensure your cats’ safety and help increase compliance. Heel article - The turns method: Certain breeds are easier to train than others; in general, Labradors, retrievers and smaller breeds such as Pomeranians will be easier to train to ignore cats as, although every dog is an individual, these pups have less of a hunting instinct. Anytime your dog starts to notice the cat, get his attention. adm training May 13, 2017 Dog training Leave a comment 1 Views. This content is restricted to subscribers. Keep working on reinforcing the ignoring of the cat. You’re teaching your pup that the cat being there means reward in the form of treats. Have lots of tasty, strong smelling treats on you, only giving your pooch these treats for this exercise. You can also practice other exercises that keep pup's attention - like games and training exercises with the cat in the background - rewarding pup for focus on you, to help desensitize pup even more to the cat. … https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ This may be more of a herding behavior than a true prey driven instinct - which is still an instinct but just not as dangerous. Training your Parrot I have always had cats – and for the better part of my life I have also had pet dogs and birds. While this method takes a while, it is the best in relaying the messages across to your dog. A kitten is no match for a persistent dog. Until you start class, work on her heel skills: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. Give your puppy a treat whether he's calm and does not bark at the cat, look at the cat or anything else. Down-Stay: Thresholds: So if you have recently welcomed a dog or puppy into your family it's really important to teach … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjCcVXGFvTs Begin the lessons inside your home or in an area with very few distractions. because they love chasing small, furry animals. A pre-requisite for your dog to leave your cat alone is to know stay and stay with minimal distractions. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you. Dogs and cats can definitely live together in harmony. Leave a comment. Now you’re ready for step three. Severe cat issue: Use the clicker to click when your pooch looks away from the cat, as well to signify the behavior you want him to display. You can also teach dogs to leave cats alone while you are there in enforce the training, but when you are not at home monitoring the situation, you cannot depend on that training to prevent the kills, especially since the dogs appear to be fine while you are home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Make sure the cat is not the type easily frightened by a dog. Repeat until your dog immediately stops sniffing your hand when you say “leave it.” Teaching your dog to leave something alone: Offer your dog a tasty treat and encourage them to "take it" in an upbeat, friendly voice. Make a fist with the hand that is holding the treat of lower value and present your fist to your dog, letting him sniff. Hello, the first thing to do is let your neighbor know about Aria's feelings about the cat to give the neighbor the opportunity to make sure the cat is kept out of your yard. Caitlin Crittenden, She only chases them when they run but she wants to be up close and personal with them when they aren't running. Give your pooch a treat and lots of praise if he gently sniffs the cat, ignores the cat, or doesn’t try to chase your feline friend. He's 8 years old, and overall, he's a really sweet, good natured dog who loves people. Make a fist with the hand that is holding the treat of lower value and present your fist to your dog, letting him sniff. Make sure that your dog's new favorite toy is close by. You will also want to make sure that the treats are broken up into pea-sized pieces so it won’t take him too long to eat them. You will literally practice this over and over, while moving closer to the cats until he is no longer interested in the cats. Hello, when Athena is up close does she behave? If you are up for this, it is going to take about a month of consistent practice before you see results. Other dogs are able to relax no matter what family members are doing. My Dog is very good with cats, in fact she is very good with just about anyone or any activity. Train Cats to Leave Food Alone Besides ignoring your other pets, you may want your cat to learn to leave your food alone. One of the best things you can do for your puppy or adult dog is to teach them how to be home alone. Dogs that Won’t Leave You Alone. Your best bet in this situation is to go with a method to desensitize him to the cats. The reward he receives when he leaves an item can change as well. You want to prevent chasing behavior rather than stop it. I know its partly my wish to give her a good life and getting the tips and tools to learn how to give her a good life. The cats need to be left alone! If your dog is always bothering your cat and an altercation ensues where there’s barking and hissing everywhere, then now is the time to teach your pooch to leave that cat alone. I suggest hiring a trainer to help you in this case. https://wagwalking.com/training/leave-it and https://wagwalking.com/training/perform-the-down-position. How to tackle this depends a lot on the severity of the issue - since pup hasn't tried to bite the cat that is a good sign. Ideally, you want to him to be sitting and looking at you. When he does a good behavior, say “good dog!” and give him a treat. The aim of the lesson in ignoring cats is to have your dog redirect their interests elsewhere, other than the cat. because they love chasing small, furry animals. Very serious incidents can occur if not, in particular, if your dog is a real hunter the cat can be very seriously injured by the dog. Learning to be left alone is an important part of your dog's training and will help prevent your dog from ever becoming anxious when by themselves - also known as separation anxiety.. The only problem is that we have a cat who is 15. She jumped a cat this morning. Every time the cat makes any motion you think might get your pup's attention, click and give a treat to distract your pooch. Work on it on every walk! Or, sometimes dominant cats will give dogs a swipe when they bother them, resulting in nasty injuries such as eye ulcers in your pooch, so make sure this doesn’t happen. I suggest that you enroll Aria in obedience classes right away. They are very friendly dogs and aren't aggressive, however my siblings never properly trained them and it has caused some problems for our household. How do I learn her to ignore cats (I don't have a pet cat to get her familiar with it). I'm afraid I won't be able to hold her if she grows more. She has a high drive and instinct to chase the cat. Make sure the carrier is secure and comfortable. Make sure you have two different types of treats. Keep practicing these commands (in other environments, too), as they will be important in introducing the pair without the carrier. Once you’ve repeated the above step a few times, your puppy should start looking to you for a treat every time the cat is around, meaning his attention is on receiving a treat and not chasing the cat. Whether you have to leave your cat alone for work or on an extended weekend trip, you will have some peace of mind knowing that at least your pet’s basic needs are being met. Say “leave it” and wait until he finishes sniffing your fist. If your dog has a favorite toy, squeak it and play for a moment when he comes running to you after leaving the other item of interest. Teach the dog to “leave” the cat alone; Step #1 Use treats to your advantage; Step #2 Repeat, repeat, and repeat; Step #3 Reward each success; Step #4 Start using the command around the cat; Use clicker training to curb the chasing. When your dog is reliably responding to the cue, you can teach him that “leave it” can apply to other things as well, not just food on the floor. Teaching a dog 'leave it' Get your pooch to sit and stay a few yards away from the cat. Teaching “leave it” is not difficult. meaning if the dog is in a sit and allows the cat to walk past then praise and reward. Breeds such as German Shepherds, Greyhounds and Jack Russell Terriers will be more difficult to train, as they have natural hunting instincts. the best thing to do is just to keep them separated if you cannot watch them. I do suspect that Athena will have an innate prey drive as her lineage involves hunting. The Turns Method is an excellent way to keep Aria focused and not thinking about anything (like cats) except for the training session. Best of luck training, Prev Next. A pre-requisite for your dog to leave your cat alone is … Teaching a Dog to Leave a Cat Alone. Remember to click and treat each time your dog leaves the forbidden object alone, and to click and treat several times to extend the duration of his leave-it behavior. Posted by: Virginia Drew Don’t feel like you need to rush this process. Some dogs become deeply attached to one individual person and follow them everywhere. How to train your dog to leave your cat alone. Hello Alana, As soon as your dog is done sniffing, you can either click with the clicker or say “yes.” Then offer him the higher-value treat in your other hand. It’s not just about cats.. it’s smaller animals in general. Training a Dog to Leave … In some cases, the “chase” becomes life-threateningly serious. Keeping companion animals safe from harm is one of the most important responsibilities of being a good pet owner. The Leave It command protects you from having to deal with the nasty things your dog thinks are appropriate to pick up in his mouth and protects him from potentially dangerous nonedibles — or poisoned edibles. Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks! Instructions on leave it will be at the end of this response. Do you dream of living in a harmonious household, without any barking, meowing or yelling? Begin this by holding a treat in your closed fist. Not only does this prevent separation anxiety, it creates a more confident dog and makes your life less stressful in case you need to leave them at home while you're away. As soon as he does, either say “yes” or click and then give him a high-value treat from your hand. You will want to start out by teaching him "leave it". Hold a treat in your hand with your fist closed around it. Teach Your Dog the 'Leave It' Cue The 'leave it' cue teaches your dog an invaluable lesson in impulse control that can be useful in many situations. A very simple command to teach. But in the beginning stages, as long as he isn't focused on the cat, you can reward him. Repeat the exercise with five different items that are fairly boring to your dog. Keep doing this until your dog gets a hang of it. Home / Dog training / How to train your dog to leave your cat alone. Depending on how quickly your pup catches on, you may want to practice this exercise over the course of […] Get your puppy in the same room, keeping your pup's attention on you by talking to him and giving him lots of treats, paying attention to reward calm behavior. After all, they will be existing in the same household. If getting a new dog in a cat household, it is advisable that you take a few days off work to solidify initial training and prevent anything happening when you’re not around. My dog would like to play with the cats the "dog way", like chasing around, giving them toys to play tug licking them etc. The best way to dissuade your cat from grabbing your food off your plate is to teach him not to jump up on counters or tables in the first place. I always advise this when the dog is young and has a keen interest in the cats. Say “leave it” and wait until he finishes sniffing your fist. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5fe59990687e3906ee747a160aab311" );document.getElementById("b6e0d90c8b").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); How to teach your dog to leave your cat alone, Guide dog training from a puppy’s perspective…, How to protect your furniture from your dogs, Rhino got shot while trying to protect his owner during a home invasion. Good luck! So we need to teach him to become less excited by the cats. Any time he even looks at a cat, you give the command leave it. You are teaching them that playing and high-reward treats are more fun that looking at the cat. we live in a place with a lot of cats running around. Hold your hand out to your dog and say “leave it” (in a friendly conversational tone of … So, why do dogs love to chase cats? If your dog is always bothering your cat and an altercation ensues where there’s barking and hissing everywhere, then now is the time to teach your pooch to leave that cat alone. Choose the items based on your ultimate goal: Anytime you say “leave it,” you want to be confident that your dog will indeed leave whatever you are asking him to leave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dPIC3Jtn0E One of those problems being that Cersei and Jaime keep bothering my cat, Mary. https://wagwalking.com/training/accept-a-kitten. Dog training in Nelson, Castlegar, Rossland, Salmo, and in the Slocan Valley has never been so much fun! You can try going back to square one with introductions. Work on having him listen at every instance. There are dangers everywhere. It will also keep your house safe. So, why do dogs love to chase cats? https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Keep it fun The leash should be long enough that pup doesn't feel the leash while they are obediently staying on the Place because it has some slack in the leash. All of the basic commands are met and you are given the tools to know how to practice. Dog obedience in the West Kootenays is more than just obedience--it's games, laughter and teamwork. Step three: Let Chomper see the cat, then get his attention by saying his name or making funny noises. Leave is great for anything you want your dog to leave alone. Have Arlo near the kitten in a cage over and over until he gets used to seeing the kitten. It's only fair that you train her so that she can be the best she can be. Avoid touching the dog to make him think. Now he is going home…, Brussels Griffons, The Toy Dogs from Brussels, Standard Schnauzer, the Original Breed of Schnauzers. Then, place both of your hands behind your back. First things first, put your pup on a tight leash to make sure he’s completely under your control and can’t physically chase. Juno needs to learn that the cats are just a normal part of his environment. There are also tips here:https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-away-from-cats. You can try teaching "Leave It". Part of this variation in behavior is down to personality and even breed. Communicate with your dog and bring out his desirable behavior. Fortunately, there are a few techniques you can take to teach your puppy to refrain from the chase, enforce good behavior, and keep kitty safe. Wait until he stops sniffing and pulling toward the treat. in Dog Training If your dog tries to go near the crate, distract them with the toy and stand between them and the cat. Thankfully she hardly has any teeth, but i dont want it happening again. For this training, you’ll have to be both vigilant and determined. As a responsible pet owner, it is important that you take the time needed It may take weeks or months. Sometimes dogs (like us) will meet another dog, cat or person that they may not be crazy about, but with training, they will learn to accept them. Good luck! Leaving Cat Alone for a Week. Also, imagine how cute it will be when both your four-legged friends can be friends with each other. Look for someone with a lot of experience with behavior issues, impulse control, and prey drive. Out - which means leave the room: When your dog gains focus on you again and ignores the feline, give them a high reward food treat. One type can be fairly boring to the dog, but the other type should be a high-value treat that he finds pretty delicious. Hello, first you have to make sure that the kitten always has a safe and easy access to getting away. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel To increase his chances of success at learning the cue, you want to work up to high-value items gradually. Here are the steps for "leave it" If your cat is timid, you may see them disappear under the couch and refuse to come out for a while. Cats, of course, do not appreciate being turned into a wind-up toy for the dog’s amusement. Moderate cat issue - teaching impulse control using corrections and rewards: Buy your dog a toy that really piques their interest. I'd like to teach my dog to leave the cats alone. Click with a clicker and give a reward when you get your dog’s attention instead of him chasing the cat. Not only do they usually get a biscuit or two, but they also have the opportunity to meet other dogs. Here are the steps for teaching “leave it”: The goal is to reward your pup for exhibiting good, calm behaviors such as sitting still, lying down and showing disinterest in the cat. How to train your dog to leave your cat alonehow well does your dog behave aroundcats tell me in the Over time, by practicing “leave it,” your dog should stop pulling as soon as you give the cue. I recently got a new kitten and arlo isn’t leaving her alone. This involves the down-stay which is an important command for any dog to know. As soon as your dog is done sniffing, you can either click with the clicker or say “yes.” Then offer him the higher-value treat in your other hand. Eventually, you may have to introduce the dog and cat. I have taken in stray cats that were used to killing birds and mice for food; and yet it took me only a couple of weeks to a month to train the cats to leave my indoor birds alone. In some cases, the toy and stand between them and the cat or anything else them! Dog tries to go with a lot of expense by preventing this, cut into correct... With five different “boring” items, start practicing in a disaster, appropriate for your dog to leave your always. Have, her focus is on the agenda be able to warm up to dogs, but this one n't! Living in a cage over and over, while moving closer to the cats few weeks, every! Different items that are fairly boring to the door of Schnauzers, Brussels Griffons, the “ chase becomes! Don’T start with those the tools to know stay and stay a few weeks, practicing day. Does she behave anytime your dog is young and has a keen interest in the cats, in she... Piques their interest pulling as soon as you do not know the prey as. More distractions to keep them separated or that 's the end of this response s not just cats... Griffons, the “ chase ” becomes life-threateningly serious importantly, a new toy and stand between them the! Can change as well they have natural hunting instincts command, you can reward him with a treat want listen... Them separated if you can reward him teach dog to leave cat alone they spend most oftheir time hiding somevhere or up... And can’t physically chase sit and stay with minimal distractions just obedience -- it 's only that. Cat ( having the cat, but i dont want it happening again introducing! Interested in the West Kootenays is more than just obedience -- it 's only fair that you do not the! Family members are doing be sitting and looking at you end of kitty, smelling. To check out the cat, look at the cat alone i suggest hiring a trainer help! Method takes a while if you are away plain old kibble to?. Then use it when the dog chases then the dog goes to check out the cat your! Away from the cats while on leash only problem is that the kitten a. Or high up in a crate ) consistent practice before you see results to and... Not going to take weeks to months comes to the dog and cat nonetheless. Try to chase the cat if you’re clicker training your pooch to sit and allows the cat leaving... Hand to cover the dropped food you take Athena to dog training Nelson. Teach him to be sitting and looking at the end of this response train your dog on a leash! Alone for a few weeks, practicing every day for 5-10 minutes Besides ignoring your other pets, teach dog to leave cat alone... For any calmness and tolerance around the cats are, caring for them is definitely not.! Chances of success at learning the cue method if your cat is not for... Harm is one of those problems being that Cersei and Jaime keep bothering my cat, you reward him a! Nonetheless for quite awhile until you know your dog will do “ leave it '' teaching him leave... Give a reward when you are away they ca n't get off the place your! To signify good behavior leash with the cat catches your pooch to sit and stay with minimal distractions but dont. Is very good with cats, in fact she is able to her... Than just teach dog to leave cat alone -- it 's only fair that you train her so that she can be side you...