Dogs and cats aren’t always the best of friends. Yet, at times, they can get along admirably well. You might wonder how that happens. Why does one dog respectfully avoid the cat, another even sleep on the sofa with it, while a third sees cats only as objects to chase? Read on to learn more about the reasons behind cat chasing and how you can address your dog’s behavior.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cats? What You Need to Know

The hunting instinct has been inherited by all four-legged companions from their ancestor, the wolf. This instinct can be very weak, absent, or highly developed, as in specially bred hunting dogs that have been bred for centuries. It’s not surprising that dogs of these breeds chase cats. But why do dogs chase cats who otherwise show no hunting instinct?

The reason lies initially in the impulse inadvertently given to the dog by the cat. The triggers – sudden and rapid movements – even appeal to a canine who has shown no inclination to hunt. By the way, a cat reacts to the same triggers – but with a mouse. Moreover, the dog quickly learns that the sighting of a cat is always accompanied by such a stimulus (flight). In other words, your dog “waits” for this situation because it positively excites him. Some dogs bark excitedly at cats, showing their motivation to chase the prey to experience the exciting thrill of the chase.

What You Can Do When Your Dog Chases Cats

If you have a true hunting dog, you should start with a comprehensive anti-hunting training. This requires a lot of patience and great consistency but is the only method to control your dog’s hunting instinct. If your dog chases cats like cyclists alike, he may be doing it out of frustration, stress, lack of socialization, or boredom. To correct this, it is often sufficient to engage in appropriate activities with the dog (agility, clicker training).

If your dog has a specific target on cats, you can start with the three methods presented here. If these do not lead to success, anti-hunting training for your dog is inevitable.

Method 1: The Interrupt Command

The goal of the exercise is to teach your dog that refraining from chasing the cat benefits him. Take a treat in each hand. Hide a special “super treat” in the closed hand and a “regular treat” in the open hand, which you now show to the dog. The dog will want to reach for the treat and nudge your hand. Immediately say the command “Leave it!” and ignore the dog’s efforts. Each time he tries to reach for the treat in your hand, say “Leave it!”. Once the dog has calmed down and even sat in front of you, immediately reward him with the super treat from the other hand.

Repeat this exercise several times a day until the dog understands what the command “Leave it!” means. You can increase the difficulty level by placing the forbidden treat on the ground in front of your feet. Only when the command is well practiced can you transfer the situation to a cat encounter. Keep your dog on a short leash and lead him past a cat sitting at a distance. The command is given precisely when the dog shows typical signs of beginning interest in the cat. If he refrains from chasing the cat, reward him immediately.

Method 2: Establishing the Hierarchy

If your dog chases the house cat in its own home, then he does not perceive her as part of the “mixed pack.” The task of the exercise is, therefore, to make the dog understand the position of the cat in the household. You must demonstrate to your dog that the cat ranks above him.

Start by greeting the cat first in front of your dog’s eyes and then him. Always give food to the cat first, then the dog. When distributing treats to both animals, do the same: the cat first. Establish a hierarchy in this way without neglecting your dog. Under no circumstances should he become “jealous” of the cat, as this will only make her even more of a nuisance to him.