How Do I Calm My Dog Down Around My Cat?

Cats love their space, especially my big cat Joe. He doesn’t want to share this space and things were going on well, till my brother brought home a puppy.

The peace we enjoyed at home suddenly evaporated and the house became a racing track for Joe and the puppy. How do I calm my dog down around my cat?

As a writer, it was not a situation I wanted to continue. I was distracted by the constant bickering. In this article, I will list some of the ways I handled this scuffle between Joe and Tiny Mark, the puppy.

How to stop a dog from chasing cats

Seeing your dog chase your cat for the first time can seem very strange especially since you are not used to this behavior. There are some important things to consider before taking any action:

Is your dog new to your home?
Does your dog get enough exercise?

Once you notice your dog making sounds or showing signs that the chase is about to start, the first thing to do is redirect your dog towards another activity. The faster you can distract him with something else, the better for you.

Observe your dog closely especially when he is staring in the direction of your cat. You can call his name or clap just to get his attention.

Once he looks in your direction, give your dog a treat or praise and reward him in your own way. These positive associations will make it easier for your dog to listen to you thereby avoiding any form of a chase that your dog may be planning.

Simple Tricks to Use

I have a simple trick that can help your dog stop chasing your cat. The first thing you should know is that you have to disapprove of this habit.

If you allow your dog to continue chasing your cat, he will become better at it with time. This is why you must constantly redirect and correct this behavior before it even starts.

Also, in the case where he begins to chase your cat before you notice, it is still important to stop your dog and redirect him. You can use your voice as a correction tool to let him know that chasing the cat is very wrong and you are not happy about it.

Once you catch your dog, put him into a room alone or in his crate for a few minutes. Regardless, you do not need to be angry at your dog for too long. Just make sure he is aware of his actions and that it is wrong. If he continues to chase your cat, he will spend most of his time alone.

Teaching your dog commands is also important as they can come in handy when your dog is chasing your cat. For instance, you can say “leave it” and your dog will immediately stop chasing your cat. Although this requires a lot of time and patience, it can help you in the long run.

Do not forget to always reward the calm behavior of your dog in the presence of your cat. If your cat walks into a room and your dog remains calm, make sure you reward him with very nice and delicious treats. This will allow him to make a positive association with the presence of your cat.

Cat chasing is not a matter that should be treated lightly as it can become a very serious predatory behavior over time. This means that you must employ corrective measures as well as praise and reward whenever your dog displays good behavior.

How safe is the play space?

If you still haven’t wrapped your fingers around the behavioral signs to differentiate between fighting and playing for your pets, the best thing to do is to always be in the same space with your dog and cat during their play fights.

This way, you can spend more time with your pets while they are playful and energetic and you can easily tell when they are uncomfortable.

Keeping their play space safe is very necessary. Generally, you can limit their playtime to about five minutes a time so that your pets do not get tired and frustrated with each other or too excited. It is also advised that you leave the door slightly open so that your cat can leave if it gets too overwhelming for it.

Finally, with these tips, you can keep your dog and cat live in a relatively peaceful condition. Do not accept the lovely relationships that exist on television between different breeds of pets.

You might end up with a pet that wants attention, play, or just want to cause havoc. With a little training, you can keep your dog and cat live without chasing each other around your home.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my dog going crazy when she sees a cat?

Once you notice that your dog is staring at your cat for too long, the best thing to do is to redirect your dog’s attention immediately. You can tell him to come or to leave it.

Ensure you reward your dog with a treat or praise him when he obeys you.

How do you tell if a dog is aggressive towards cats?

Some of the warning signs to tell if your dog is aggressive towards your cat include:

Growling
Stiff body posture
Still eye glares
Lip licking
Shaking

Once you notice these signs, mediating early and separating your dog and cat before anything can happen is safer and a lot easier: