Dogs like to chase things and enjoy rough and tumble play. Although some cats enjoy a bit of horseplay as well, many are overwhelmed by larger dogs who won't stop chasing them. If the cat runs away, the dog may misinterpret this as a desire to be chased, and pursue the cat. Your dog may mean no harm, but he can still aggravate or even injure your cat if he does not learn to leave it alone.
Things You'll Need
- Litter box
- Cat toys
- Crate
- Cat treats
- Dog treats
- Dog toys
- Squirt bottle
Instructions
Preparations
Make a safe area for the cat where the dog can't get to. The area should include a litter box, some cat toys and enough room to unwind. One way to do this is to set up a baby gate to stop the dog from entering. Your cat will easily be able to scale it, but the dog will be unable to.
Find an area for the dog to run around and play. Ideally, you should fence off your backyard or locate a nearby park to take the dog, but a family room will also do, particularly if you have a small dog.
Teach your dog basic obedience commands. Your dog should know how to heel, stay and come when called before you introduce her to the cat. If you can't train your dog before she meets the cat, you should train her in a room without the cat in it.
Introductions
Place the dog in a crate surrounded by cat toys or cat treats when your dog and cat meet for the first time. This will give the cat a reason to approach and will make him associate the dog with things he likes.
Allow the cat to approach the dog in his own time. Cats are much more reserved than dogs, and may need a bit of time before they feel comfortable approaching.
Keep the dog crated until the two seem to be comfortable with each other, then let the dog out.
Call the dog over to you with a dog treat or a dog toy if she chases the cat. Praise the dog and immediately take her out to play.
Supervise your dog playing with the cat and repeatedly the dog over to play when she starts to aggravate the cat. If you establish yourself as a more fun play partner than the cat, the dog will come to you instead of harassing the cat.
Stronger Medicine
Establish the cat as higher in pecking order by always petting and feeding him before the dog if the dog won't stop bothering him. This will let the dog know that the cat is higher in the pack and shouldn't be harassed.
Shout a firm "no" when the dog chases the cat. You can also spray the dog with water from a squirt bottle as a punishment.
Crate the dog for a time out every time she bothers the cat. Combined with shouting the word "no," this should let the dog know that she has done a bad thing and needs to stop.