Teaching the dog not to run over the cats - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

Baylee · 11-20-2009, 11:20 PM

We've had Baylee for almost a year now it's hard to believe we sure didn't plan on getting dog especially since we have six cats. He was abandoned in our neighborhood in December last year. We think he's 1 year and half old. Baylee has generally reached the point of liking our cats and wishing they'd play with him. He is confined in the garage or bathroom when we are not home.The cats don't really want too much to do with him because he's a big oaf. If he stays at least a foot away and is not running they are tolerant of him. If we allow Baylee free run of the house he loses it if he's excited he has no congnicance of whether there's cat in front of him. If he breaks into run he will run over or step on a cat if they don't move quickly enough. Some of my cats are elderly and one is disabled. They cannot move to get out of his way. My cats are just as much apart of the household as the dog so confining them is not even a thought.

How can we teach Baylee not to run over the cats? He will lay down for a kitty when he is calm if we ask him to be less intimidating. All obedience training he's had has come from us. He learns fast books and teaching the command seems to be all we have needed so far. I have not come across any books telling me how to do this. I am pretty sick of having a pen in my living room Baylee pretty much sees it like a big crate and likes it but I want my living room back and for my cats to safe.

kojakusa · 11-21-2009, 04:24 AM

Hmm, not sure how you teach the dog not to run over the cats per se, but I think if you enforce a rule of no horsing around in the house then the situation can be avoided. The only way to make that work is to make sure he gets plenty of exercise and play outside.

You will have to be consistent with not allowing him to go wild in the house, and you will have to correct if he does, and correct if he gets too rough with or runs over any cats. The 'time out' strategy might work as a follow up to a verbal 'no' or whatever you use to correct bad behavior. Put him away for a few minutes, letting him out only after he is calm. If he gets wound up again, put him back in.

You might also teach, use and enforce the command 'gentle' or 'easy' when he is interacting with the cats.

Bottom line, whatever approach you use, consistency and persistence will pay off - he will get the idea in time.

Presidential · 11-21-2009, 06:16 AM

Good call KojakUSA. Horseplay is for outside - kids & dogs!!

Side note:
SIX CATS!!! LOL!! Ha, ha, ha... Baylee is outnumbered!!

Maya95828 · 11-21-2009, 07:03 PM

thats alot of kitties

... my maya always trys to play with frankie my cat ,and frankie likes it,but sometimes maya its little too aggrasive,so she always run away...

battmain · 11-24-2009, 09:16 AM

A leash worn inside works great for teaching "EEEENOUGH!" As posted, rough play is for outside.

11-20-2009, 11:20 PM	#1
Baylee House Broken Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 167 My Mood:	Teaching the dog not to run over the cats We've had Baylee for almost a year now it's hard to believe we sure didn't plan on getting dog especially since we have six cats. He was abandoned in our neighborhood in December last year. We think he's 1 year and half old. Baylee has generally reached the point of liking our cats and wishing they'd play with him. He is confined in the garage or bathroom when we are not home.The cats don't really want too much to do with him because he's a big oaf. If he stays at least a foot away and is not running they are tolerant of him. If we allow Baylee free run of the house he loses it if he's excited he has no congnicance of whether there's cat in front of him. If he breaks into run he will run over or step on a cat if they don't move quickly enough. Some of my cats are elderly and one is disabled. They cannot move to get out of his way. My cats are just as much apart of the household as the dog so confining them is not even a thought. How can we teach Baylee not to run over the cats? He will lay down for a kitty when he is calm if we ask him to be less intimidating. All obedience training he's had has come from us. He learns fast books and teaching the command seems to be all we have needed so far. I have not come across any books telling me how to do this. I am pretty sick of having a pen in my living room Baylee pretty much sees it like a big crate and likes it but I want my living room back and for my cats to safe.

11-21-2009, 04:24 AM	#2
kojakusa Retriever Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Eastern NY Posts: 388 My Mood:	Hmm, not sure how you teach the dog not to run over the cats per se, but I think if you enforce a rule of no horsing around in the house then the situation can be avoided. The only way to make that work is to make sure he gets plenty of exercise and play outside. You will have to be consistent with not allowing him to go wild in the house, and you will have to correct if he does, and correct if he gets too rough with or runs over any cats. The 'time out' strategy might work as a follow up to a verbal 'no' or whatever you use to correct bad behavior. Put him away for a few minutes, letting him out only after he is calm. If he gets wound up again, put him back in. You might also teach, use and enforce the command 'gentle' or 'easy' when he is interacting with the cats. Bottom line, whatever approach you use, consistency and persistence will pay off - he will get the idea in time. __________________ Last edited by kojakusa; 11-21-2009 at 04:25 AM. Reason: typo

11-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#4
Maya95828 House Broken Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento,CA Posts: 52	thats alot of kitties ... my maya always trys to play with frankie my cat ,and frankie likes it,but sometimes maya its little too aggrasive,so she always run away... __________________ Maya 9 months old puppie...

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11-21-2009, 06:16 AM	#3
Presidential Senior Dog Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Horseback Posts: 895	Good call KojakUSA. Horseplay is for outside - kids & dogs!! Side note: SIX CATS!!! LOL!! Ha, ha, ha... Baylee is outnumbered!!

11-24-2009, 09:16 AM	#5
battmain Certified LabBoard Addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: US side of the Moon Posts: 3,584	A leash worn inside works great for teaching "EEEENOUGH!" As posted, rough play is for outside.