Hello I am totally new to online forums and chatting, so sorry if I am doing this wrong. My dog is part pointer and whenever the cats are around he can't take his eyes off of them. How do I fix this? Also he has lunged at the kitten 3 times and once almost got him...I think I rushed things and we are starting over again. My boyfriend wants to return him to the pound because of his cat aggressive behavior. I love the dog and don't want to get rid of him but I love my cats too. If anyone has any tips on how to get them to get along or ignore each other or something it would be helpful.
My dog tried to eat my kitten
- Thread starter totljenn
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Hello there,
I think the most important thing you can do is assert your dominance and firmly control your dog, but without hitting or yelling.
If you can, try to keep them separate as much as possible. Something you can try is to introduce the cat slowly while you keep your dog controlled in a sitting position. As soon as you feel your dog's getting aroused, gently but firmly get the dog to calm and remain in its position. You can repeat this in several sessions until your dog is able to remain calm in close proximity to the cat.
Depending on what's the source of the aggression, it might be necessary a professional trainer intervention to stop that behavior.
Hope you are able to get the situation under control without having to return the dog.
- Bob -
I think the most important thing you can do is assert your dominance and firmly control your dog, but without hitting or yelling.
If you can, try to keep them separate as much as possible. Something you can try is to introduce the cat slowly while you keep your dog controlled in a sitting position. As soon as you feel your dog's getting aroused, gently but firmly get the dog to calm and remain in its position. You can repeat this in several sessions until your dog is able to remain calm in close proximity to the cat.
Depending on what's the source of the aggression, it might be necessary a professional trainer intervention to stop that behavior.
Hope you are able to get the situation under control without having to return the dog.
- Bob -
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How old is your dog? How long have you had him? How long have you had the cat/how old are they? Are you sure he wants to eat the kitten or is he just trying to play too roughly with it?
You can definitely train a dog to ignore cats, working up to closer and closer distances, if he is overly interested, too pushy, or inappropriately playful, but if he really wants to harm them you probably won't ever be able to leave them unsupervised together, and a home without cats might be a better option if you're unable to separate them when you're not watching closely.
You can definitely train a dog to ignore cats, working up to closer and closer distances, if he is overly interested, too pushy, or inappropriately playful, but if he really wants to harm them you probably won't ever be able to leave them unsupervised together, and a home without cats might be a better option if you're unable to separate them when you're not watching closely.
I wouldn't use the 'dominance' idea. Aside from I don't find that thinking in old out dated ways productive, it also can produce a dog who only curbs its desire to chase the cat when you are around. It also doesn't help train the dog how you DO want the dog to behave around the cat.
Depending on how much prey drive your dog has, it may NEVER be safe to leave your dog alone with the cat. But in the mean time train your dog a rock solid 'leave it' (use food, toys etc .. NOT the cat to train it) reward your dog heavily for leaving the object alone. Then begin to transfer to the cat.
Depending on how much prey drive your dog has, it may NEVER be safe to leave your dog alone with the cat. But in the mean time train your dog a rock solid 'leave it' (use food, toys etc .. NOT the cat to train it) reward your dog heavily for leaving the object alone. Then begin to transfer to the cat.
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Since the well-being of the kittens is at stake, you may want to consult a professional trainer about your dog specifically. My suggestion is whenever they are together, give the dog his favorite treats or play his favorite activities. This can potential accomplishes two things: 1) distract the dog and 2) make it a pleasant experience to have kittens around, which can eventually be "hardwired" into the dog's brain.
I had this same exact problem with Reese. I taught Reese to "go to her place" it's as simple as a old blakent on the floor in the same spot all the time or a dog bed. (not where they sleep at night though)
Every time the cat was around or Reese started to take after her i would yell "go to your place!" (in my case it was "go to your blanket") After a while she relized that I control that situation and she has started to leave the cat alone.
If your dog won't listen for all the treats in the world when he is after the cat try putting him on a leash whenever the cat is around and telling him to go to his place and if he dosen't you have control and can lead him over since he is on a leash.
This is just what i did and it worked so give it a try. I hope you get it under control soon and don't give up on him by taking him back to the pound.
Tip: Give the cat his/her own area or room that is compleatly off limits to your dog so the cat can be in comfort here and feel safe.
Every time the cat was around or Reese started to take after her i would yell "go to your place!" (in my case it was "go to your blanket") After a while she relized that I control that situation and she has started to leave the cat alone.
If your dog won't listen for all the treats in the world when he is after the cat try putting him on a leash whenever the cat is around and telling him to go to his place and if he dosen't you have control and can lead him over since he is on a leash.
This is just what i did and it worked so give it a try. I hope you get it under control soon and don't give up on him by taking him back to the pound.
Tip: Give the cat his/her own area or room that is compleatly off limits to your dog so the cat can be in comfort here and feel safe.