Why do dogs chase cats?

Dogs like to chase cats because it is built into their instinct. Whenever dogs seen a small, fast, furry animal, they are compelled to chase it. Although this is a natural behavior, it can still be corrected with the right behavior techniques.

How to stop dog from chasing cat

The 3 main ways to stop a dog from chasing cat are exercise, redirection, and correction.

Exercise

The most effective thing you can do to stop your dog from chasing your cat is to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise throughout the day. In fact, making sure your dog is getting enough exercise can help prevent a wide range of dog behavioral issues including barking, urinating, and overeating. After all, a dog chasing a cat requires an outburst of energy. If your dog has already exercised enough, he will be less likely to chase your cat. Additionally, a dog that is tired and calm is more likely to listen and pay attention to your demands. We recommend playing with your dog at least for one hour a day. Some easy games to play include fetch or keep away.

Redirection

When you are first introducing your dog and cat, make sure your dog is on a leash. In case he sprints after your cat, you can still hold on to him. Once your cat is brought into the room, you want to avert all of your dog’s attention away from the cat and redirect it towards yourself. Your dog’s tail might shoot up and he might look ready to pounce. If this happens, you want to call your dog’s name repeatedly to get him/her to look at you and not the cat. It may also help if you click or clap to get your dog’s attention. If your dog stays calm and does not chase after your cat, you should reward him with kind words and a treat.

Correction

This is the hardest part of stopping your dog form chasing cat. If your dog ignores your commands and continues to chase after your cat, you must correct his behavior by letting him know that he did something wrong. Although we do not like to use the word punishment, you must be able to convey to your dog that what he/she did was wrong. You should call your dog’s name in a stern voice repeatedly until he stops. You should also tell him “no” or “bad dog” in a stern voice. If this does not seem to work, you should put him in time out or possibly in a dog crate for a short period of time.