bmathers (12-12-2018)
A training trick helped with one of our cats. Our trainer said use your second dog to help get faster responses from puppy. SIT. Too slow, puppy, cat gets a free treat. We only had the one dog, puppy Oban, so I used Sadie cat. It worked two-fold, not only did I get a prompt sit the next time, Oban regarded Sadie in a whole new light. I think he believed Sadie had as much control of the treats as I did.
I do have to confess though, that we had three cats, all used to a well behaved older dog, Jet, who had passed away. Ginger would tolerate Oban and give him some well deserved swats once in a while. No claws though, at least I never heard him yelp. The third cat, the one who was closely bonded to Jet, hid for a year. Bitty and Oban became friends but it took a year.
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bmathers (12-12-2018)
Molly still likes to give my cat a run for it. At this point I know they are playing because they both sleep on the bed with me. Also when she catches up to Sammy the cat she stops sniff or licks and wags her tail and then walks away lol.
bmathers (12-12-2018)
Whenever Presto is going after the cat, being crazy with the dogs, or has something I need him to get out of his mouth NOW (drop it). I just throw food. They key is to try not to wait until they are deep into whatever they are doing because at some point, it's really hard to listen. It's like, if you're walking out to the pitcher's mound, it's far easier for someone to get your attention as you are walking out vs. when you are concentrating on the actual task or in the middle of it.
You can just have a cue. Leave it. Hey. Enough. Cookies. Whatever. Then grab a handful of cookies and throw them on the floor for the pup to eat. Eventually the dog will hear that cue then stop what they are doing and look at you, expecting cookies to rain from the sky. No, it's not rewarding the dog for chasing the cat. It actually helps with impulse control, recalls, not taking off with things, etc. I keep small plastic containers of kibble all over the house so I can do this in any room.
For something like this, it strengthens the cued behavior, which you can use in the future, but also most puppies grow out of cat chasing eventually, so it's also management. If you are consistent enough your puppy will make the choice not to chase the cat and when he feels like he wants to chase the cat, he'll look at you instead, and in that case, reward with cookies.
Thank you for this advice. I am going to try it. I have been avoiding using food because the trainer said not to introduce food at this point. But that was a few weeks ago and I like your explanation a lot. And you also made me feel much better with what you said about how "most puppies grow out of cat chasing" -- boy do I hope that is the case with Diggity! He just LOVES everything and everybody he sees and charges in full speed to play. You're right that it is impulse control and we are working a lot on that right now. Just doesn't seem to be working with the cat yet.
Out of all the crazy antics of Asher, thank goodness kitties are not one of them! I have five cats. Asher and Donner (my foster) are such best friends. They are so adorable.
So keep at it...one day you may just have something similar:
bmathers (12-12-2018), kimbersmom (12-12-2018)
SamsonsMom (12-12-2018)
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