Dogs and cats are known to quarrel and bicker among themselves. This is mainly due to the prime behavioral differences between both species.
This can bring your household peace in serious jeopardy if there is constant chaos between your dog and cat.
Dogs are usually aggressive toward cats because of their dominating instincts and the tendency to prey on small things.
Another reason why your dog might be chasing your cat is that he is scared or threatened.
However, dogs and cats can be trained to become good companions and live in harmony under the same roof.
How to Stop Dog Aggression Toward Cats
To prevent dog aggression towards cats, properly train your dog and endorse good behavioral habits. Appreciation for good behavior always helps. Another way is to take the dog for a walk before properly introducing it to a cat. If all else fails, ask for a professional dog trainer’s help.
How to Stop Dog Aggression Toward Cats
How to Stop Dogs From Getting Aggressive With Cats
Are you afraid that your dog will make life difficult for your cat by chasing her down?
Here are a few ways by which you can train your dog and make sure that dog aggression is limited to a minimum.
It is important to note, though, that these methods require a lot of persistence and consistency.
1. Proper Introductions
It is always a good idea to buy both the cat and dog at the same time. This makes both of them evenly matched and not see each other as an intruder or threats.
Dogs often see small creatures as threats and react by chasing them down and pummeling them. Introduce your pets to each other with a firm yet welcoming tone.
Properly introducing your dog to a cat reduces the chances of the dog becoming aggressive towards the cat
Don’t leave both the pets unattended in the beginning. Using a tall barrier between both can be done to set boundaries and mark territories.
Make sure that you do not neglect either pet in presence of the other which would lead to the development of resentment in the pets.
Moreover, practice obedience training on your dog in the presence of your cat so that your dog understands its limits well.
2. Punishing Your Dog When He is Aggressive
Dogs are naturally sensitive to their owner’s feelings. Hence, when your dog is overly aggressive towards your cat, punish him to show that his behavior is not entertained.
No, this does not mean subjecting your dog to hitting or scolding. This is only going to make the aggression worse.
Instead, employ softer punishments such as isolating your dog in a certain space, not giving it the usual attention, and scolding using a firm yet soft tone is enough to send your message to your dog.
Scold your dog with a firm yet soft tone helps in showing to it that its aggression towards the cat isn’t good
Dogs catch up on their owner’s mood and understand quickly what caused a shift in your behavior. This shift of behavior makes them tone down their aggression to get their owner’s approval.
When your dog behaves according to your teaching and is nice enough to your cat, double up on the treats and affection! This method works wonders for dog training.
3. The Control is in Your Hands
Dogs are genetically predisposed to assume the alpha or dominant position. Hence when a smaller creature comes along, it reacts by chasing it around.
Your dog needs to understand that YOU are the ‘alpha’ and only you can exercise the so-called dominating traits.
Obedience training is a great way to teach your dog basic commands and manage his reactions. Commands such as stay, sit, come, and leave are basic and should be understood by your dog quite promptly.
Subjecting your dog to obedience training helps in managing his reaction, including aggression, towards a cat
The tone while issuing these commands also matters when it comes to the way dogs obey that command.
If your dog is quite big in size, use a leash in the initial interactions with your cat so that you can manage his movements.
In the beginning, try to keep the cat-dog interactions short and then gradually prolong them.
This way, both the pets have enough time to get used to each other and behave without invoking their instincts of quarreling.
4. Burn off the Dog’s Excess Energy
Dogs are known to have a lot of extra energy which they utilize for running after smaller animals, especially cats. This is not an enjoyable experience for the cats at all.
Before their introduction with the cat, take your dogs for long runs or walks. This way, the dogs have used up most of their stamina and do not run after the cat as much.
Take your dog for a walk to help it burn excess energy, making it match the energy level of the cat
It is always a good idea to match the energy drives of your pets. A dog with a high-energy drive is going to wreak havoc on a lazy cat.
The same goes the other way round.
A playful dog and an equally playful cat can get along well and be great companions with proper training.
5. Enlist the Help of a Professional Dog Trainer
If you feel training your dog is not something you can do by yourself, never hesitate in hiring a professional.
Ask help from a professional dog trainer to help curb your dog’s aggression toward a cat
Dog training is crucial for the safety of the dog owner along with other cats and dogs in the vicinity, especially if the canine’s showing signs of being aggressive towards cats.
Trained dogs are much fun to be around. You can enjoy time with multiple pets when your dog is trained and is not a danger to others.
Your dog is more easily sociable with others and you won’t have to worry about its behavior every time you go out.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Stop Dog Aggression Towards Cats
Can you fix a dog’s aggression towards cats?
A dog’s aggression towards cats can be managed by proper training and persistence. Teaching your dog obedience and boundaries will tone down his aggression towards cats which will lead both of the animals to get along fairly well.
How to manage a dog’s aggression towards outsider cats?
This can be managed by teaching it proper behavior which will help its aggression in the long run. When going out, keep your dog on a tight leash and use commands which will teach it not to be aggressive towards other cats. Also, rewarding your dog when he is on good behavior, helps.
Will my dog hurt my cat?
Dogs can seriously be a death threat to your cat given their weight, claws, and chasing tendencies. Hence, make sure that the cat-dog interactions are controlled and do not escalate far which would lead to serious harm.
Conclusion
Dogs and cats can become great companions if proper training and rules are endorsed.
Dog aggression can lead to some fatal incidents hence, your dog must know its boundaries.
Teaching your dog good behavior is not an overnight feat and needs a lot of persistence and patience, but, the results of it are always fruitful.