chasing cats
Though she has gotten into the trashcan a time or two, thats okay we can live with that. The only problem is she loves to chase our cats. Our older cat runs in fear, poor thing hid behind the dryer for a day before we could find her. Our other cat seems to be more tolerent, even curious about the dog. However every time Sophie sees our cats she gives chase and runs over anything and everything in her path. I have now separated the cats from her, but I would love for us all to live in harmony. I have tried leaving her on her lead and then holding it firm and saying no or leave it when she sees the cat, but it does not seem to be working. She gets really worked up when she sees them, pacing back and forth. She doesn't bark or growl, just chases. Any suggestions? Thanks Sgtfirstwife Rebecca  |
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Ours did the same thing, just keep telling no it takes forever but now she does not bother them, while now she wants to play with them  |
| Hi Rebecca!
Welcome to the forum! 
What Sophie does is called "Prey Drive", which means if a small animal (cat, squirrel, mouse, etc.) runs away from her, she needs to chase her. It's a natural behavior. Unfortunately in our environment this is a problem behavior. 
I believe Sophie's introduction to your pack didn't go very well. What I can advise you to do is first of all take Sophie for a long walk or play with her - she needs to be exhausted! When they are tired it's easier to handle them. When she is very tired, put the cat in a crate where she is going to be safe and can't run away from Sophie. You will need to be very extremely calm!!! No matter what they do! You can put a leash on Sophie to control her better. What you will need to do now is to hold the crate with the cat in it and slowly let Sophie closer to the crate to sniff at it. If she gets to excited (ears up, straight back, whining, barking, etc.) she needs to move away from the crate. Try not to let you pull on the leash, instead you can block her with your body. Probably it's best if you have somebody (also calm) who could hold the crate or Sophie. It will take a while and you all will be exhausted midway through. This is okay though because as the animals get more tired you can get them closer and closer to each other.
Your cat needs to know that you will protect her from Sophie and Sophie needs to know that chasing the cat is unacceptable and the only way to get to the cat is if she stays calm. Until you get to this point, I would suggest you to lock the cat in a room where Sophie can't chase her. While you are doing this whole thing. Try not to talk to them. You don't need to praise them - if you stay calm they will feel your energy and they'll know they are doing it right. You can say firm "No" to Sophie while you are blocking her but that's it. Oh, and one more thing. Before you start this, you need to repeat this: "Sophie is a good dog and she is going to be great. My cat is a a good cat too and she will help me with this. Not to mention myself! I am fantastic and strong and I can do this!"
I know you can anyways. If you need more help or I need to explain things more clear, please let me know!
Good luck! |
| Great advice here! Ours took a few monthsto resolve. Time does wonders! When Maudie passes one of the cats& DOESN'T chase, she gets a treat every time. We also gate the steps,so the cats have "Maude free" space& though Maudie has shown that she's trustworthy at night, not penned up, We put her in our laundry room. That way, the cats can roam& eat all night without being invaded by the big wooly mammoth! |
| We have only had Sophie for 4 days, so I know it will take time. Right now we have our upstairs gated so the cats can go up there during the day and Sophie has run of the downstairs and is with us, which is what she loves. Then at night we put her in our bedroom or reverse it so she stays upstairs and the cats can roam downstairs.
Looks like time and patience may be the answer. Since she is nearly six, I guess old habits die hard. So we will keep up the slow introductions. Thanks to all the great advice. Any more idea would be appreciated. Sgtfirswife |
| you've only had sophie for 4 days? Oh.. well most of the folks on the board with cats will tell you that their OES does the same thing.
It took my cat ONE YEAR to be pleasant with our new cat, but took a a lot less time (a few monts) for our OES (and she HATES anything other than me). Your cat will begin to feel more comfortable around your OES. Personally, I don't worry about it. My cats are DECLAWED and still knows how to put the dog in check. There are times one of the cats will lay on her back in submission when she can tell the OES will catch up, but most of the time, she just smacks the heck out of the dog. Cats are so emotional that it seems like the dogs can sense that and are more careful around them (stepping over them instead of on, etc). The cats learn where to jump, go under, go over to hide from the dog. Give it some time!:) I did find it useful to teach my OES the "LEAVE IT" command. when I see her "about" to go after the cats, I say leave it and she backs away. |
| My puppy won't leave my cats alone either...luckily my cats are used to dogs. You do need to remember that these are herding dogs with a very strong instinct to "stop motion". My puppy is pretty good when we get them supervised visits, but he is still an idiot about the cats. They do learn to listen when you tell them "no cat!", but it does take a while. Just try to give your cats someplace that they can go an be unmolested. Your dog will get used to them, but be prepared for it to take a while. I just let my cats outside when he is inside. |
| I have cats, 4 of them and Sammy ( my now 2 year old OES) loves to play with them, but the cats also like to tease him but when they are all worn out they will snuggle up together but there are still times that he likes to chase them, it took awhile but now he knows if he is told "Leave it" that he has to behave.
I have found that using "Leave it" works in lots of situations. |
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