How to Get a Dog to Stop Bugging a Cat

Dogs and cats can, and often do, get along. This is especially true if they become ̶0;siblings̶1; when they are young. However, even if your dog and cat have developed an acrimonious relationship, they can learn to coexist peacefully together. By teaching your dog that being calm is more rewarding than annoying, or even responding to, the cat, both pets can relax and enjoy their home.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby gate
  • Leash
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create safety areas for your cat, which are places your dog can not get to. These can include high spaces, cleared counters and rooms the dog can not access. Use baby gates and cat doors to prevent your dog from entering the cat̵7;s safety rooms. If your dog jumps gates, place one baby gate on top of the other one. These areas will give your cat a place to go to relax without fearing the dog.

    • 2

      Place your dog in a crate and allow the cat to roam about the room it is in for 10 to 15 minutes. Treat and praise your dog any time it does not react to the cat. Put the dog and cat into separate areas of the house. Repeat this process for two to three days.

    • 3

      Put the leash on your dog and either hold it, or attach it to a piece of heavy furniture. Let the cat into the same room and allow it to roam around for five to 10 minutes. Reward and praise your dog every time it looks away from the cat.

    • 4

      Put the leash on your dog and either hold it, or attach it to some heavy furniture. Let the cat into the room for 15 to 20 minutes. Reward and praise your dog every time it sits down and relaxes while the cat is in the room. Then reward and praise your dog every time it lies down and relaxes while the cat is in the room. Repeat this process until your dog routinely relaxes when the cat is around it. It will likely take about two weeks.

    • 5

      Take your dog off the leash and put it and the cat in the room for short periods. Continue to reward and praise your dog when it relaxes around the cat.

    • 6

      If your dog starts to chase or annoy the cat, refocus its attention with a toy, by commanding it to ̶0;Come,̶1; or with other activity. Go back to Step 4 until your dog can ignore the cat. Gradually, your dog should see time when the cat is in the room as an opportunity to get treats rather than a time to terrorize the cat.