animal trainers please help?

Question

I adopted a male and female border collie from the shelter earlier today. The female is fine but the male wants to chase my cats. He growls at them. Other than that he is a very nice dog. I would like everybody to live harmoniously. What can I do?

I'm sorry. I didn't intend to ask over again. I thought the computer wasn't taking the question because I couldn't find it. I will try to go back and delete. Have some faithin people. I didn't do it on purpose.

I did research the breed. I am very familiar wth herding dogs- I have a sheltie and a border collie already besides the 2 I just adopted. I know they herd. What I don't want is lunging, growling and chasing. My sheltie and 2 of the border collies herd the cats and that is ok. The cats don't seem to mind. But the new male has a totally different mindset.

Answer 1

Training. You have to TEACH the dog that you don't want him to do this. When go out or you don't have time, put him in a crate. Put him on a leash and keep it on - even in the house. Tie the leash to your belt so you know where he is and what he's doing. Walk him past the cats and if he even gives them a dirty look, CORRECT him! Don't wait until the growling and lunging starts. Don't use a PINCH (prong) collar - these can escalate aggression problems and severely injure the dog if you have to restrain him.

Make him do long down stays next to the cats. Make him sit and stay before you feed him. Take control.

Make sure he's getting plenty of strenuous exercise every day, half an hour hard running next to a bicycle, not just a walk around the block. A lot of aggression is excess energy. You can also teach him to play flyball - a competitive dog sport where the dog is trained to launch his own ball from a box with a spring inside.
http://www.flyball.org/

Read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 2

First, thank you for adopting homeless pets and opening up your heart and home to them! Kudos to you!

Anyway, the first mistake you have done is introducing the dogs to the cat already. It's only been one day and besides, you are bringing the dogs into the cat's domain! The cat was there first so basically, you should have gotten crates, put them in the center of a room and let the cat come up to the crate and let him/her get use to the smell of the dogs. I would highly suggest doing this to let the cat get adjusted. If the cat does not come out and hides for long periods of time, I would close the door to the room the cat is, and let the dogs roam the house and pick up on the cat's scent. Keep them separated for at least 1 week! Then SLOWLY introduce the fur kids to each other! If the dogs continue to chase the cat, then use a firm voice and say LEAVE IT! If that fails, I would suggest teaching or getting the advice of a professional trainer on teaching the dog the basic command of LEAVE IT.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

How many times have you heard someone say (or even asked yourself - how can it be that this person is related to me?).
Dogs are no different.
You have had experience with other B.C.'s but this one isn't acting the same.
A few things come to mind.
He had a very bad experience with a cat in a previous home.
He is confused as to who is alpha and thinks it is his job to "protect" you from the cat.
It is just plain fun to go after the cat.

There are a couple of approaches to take.
You could buy a shock collar, and every time he lunges for the cat give him a "tingle".
This would be my second option.

First I would try a lot of positive re-enforcement.
Start slowly.
Make him do a down stay, then have someone else come in the room holding the cat (Don't freak out. You must be calm or the dog will know it and go into defense mode to protect you).
Do this several times until the dog understands that it must stay laying down. Remember to reward your dog for acting the way you want him to act (most dogs are highly motivated by food).
Once that is established, start again - only this time have the person bring the cat in and let the cat loose to roam the room.
This needs to be repeated until the dog understands that it is not his job to "rush the cat". The B.C. needs to lay there and be still.
Again don't forget to reward.
Once that is accomplished (remember this will take multiple times before your dog gets it, even if they are a B.C. - one of the smartest dogs in the world) again have the dog in a down stay have your friend bring the cat in and sit next to you and the dog.

Of course the hardest part of all of this will be getting the co-operation of the cat.

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Get a squirt bottle and start spraying him in the face every time he antagonizes the cats. If the cats try to bite or paw at him, allow it! If they are willing to do the teaching, let them! if the water alone is not effective, I have heard (but have not tried) that you can add vinegar, Listerine or bitter apple spray (1 to 1 mixture) and this will sometimes help make the spray more negative to the dog. Always lead up with a firm LEAVE IT and then follow up immediately with the spray. If the dog backs off, be sure to praise him. Any time he goes near the cat and is nice, again be sure to praise him. Also offer treats for leaving the cat and comming to you. The goal is to be able to eventually just use the LEAVE IT command and not have to follow with the spray.

Also be sure to separate them and give the cats some recovery time if they have been harassed for a long period of time. They will certainly appreciate a break.

Also, if you have a local PETsMART, I know their trainers will give free advice.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

It is great that you are familiar with the breed ... way too many people adopt them because they are cute and don't have the experience to keep them out of trouble. Are you familiar with counter conditioning and desensitization techniques? Patricia McConnell has a couple of great books "feisty Fido" comes to mind or "cautious canine" Both break down the process with awesome precision. For the time being I would separate the dog from the cat to avoid repeat performances... this kind of behavior can actually evolve into a "learned behavior" ... Give your new BCs time to settle in 3-5days... make sure he can still smell the cats.... you could give him treats next to the door the cats are on the other side of... or on the cats favorite blanket... you want him to have "happy thoughts" associated with the smell... Then after he is settled in ... slowly introduce them in positive situations...As smart as BCs are there is a chance that once he is settled in and sees that you accept the cats as "part of the family" he will be fine... he probably thinks he is doing his job by chasing off the strange animal... If you think you are in over your head contact the shelter... many shelters have or know of trainers who will come to you house (for free) to help in situations like this... but the sooner they know there is a problem...the sooner they can help!

Answer 6

I had the same problem with the dog I adopted she chased them at first but I just told her NO! and squirted her with a squirt bottle (which she hates) now she has learned to leave the cats alone every once in a while she chases them when they are running around playing but all I have to say is No and she stops in her tracks. Just make sure to teach him No means No and reward him when he does what you ask also try redirection when he chases the cats say no and then give him a toy of his own to play with or throw a ball for him etc it will take time but they will all eventually get along. Dont listen to the one thing I read on here saying you shouldnt have introduced them yet that is just crap and it only makes them take twice as long to get used to one another. Just remember dont over squirt him with water or he will become desensitised to it. I have to say I have found a water bottle to be the most effective training tool, since it is instant punishment without violence...I dont even have to have a squirt bottle in my hand anymore for my 2 dogs I just point at them and say squirt when they are barking or whatever and they stop right away. Good luck hope this helps!!

Answer 7

If they're newly adopted there will be adjustment issues. Also with getting two BORDER COLLIES you have to understand their nature is to herd. Sheep cattle horses kids cats it doesn't matter. If he's never been around cats he don't know what they are just that it's something to herd/chase. Teach him "down" and "leave it".You can't really expect adding two dogs to just be one instant family - they need to adjust and learn the boundaries and rules. I've got a border collie that LOVES the cats but left to his own devices he'd hurt them, not intentionally. If your cats will smack him let them...so THEY set the boundary. Have him on a leash so he can't react and charge in.

Answer 8

You need to re-intruduce the dogs and cat. Put a baby gate, or two, in an opening of a room with only one entrance, or block the other entrance. You have to make it so the dog and cat can not jump over them. Put the cat on one side of the gate and the dog ont the other so they can see each other but can't harm one another. Let the animals get used to each other through the gates. This will reduce the stress not only on your pets but on you as well. Let them get used to each other. Feed them in view of each other at the same time. Not too close to the gates. After a few days when hissing and growling has stoped you can introduce them in the same room. You will need a friend to help you with this. Have your friend sit on your couch with the cat relaxed on his/her lap. Have a collar or harness on your cat for safe measure. The larger the room for this the better. Put your dog on his lead. Walk into the room using the furthest entrance from where the cat and your friend are sitting. Only walk as far as the entrance with your dog secure on a leash. Have your dog sit and wait five minutes. If after five mins your dog has not tried to bark, growl or go after the cat, give him lots of praise and a treat if you wish. Then try to take one step forward with your dog and repeat the above wait. If your dog decides to growl or bark at the cat, remove the dog and put him in timeout. Time out is complete separation from you and any family. A bathroom, yard or gated room works well. The time out should last for 5 to 10 mins. If your dog makes a fuss during time out you must wait until your dog is quiet and calm before releasing him. If you release him while he makes noise he will understand that all he has to do is make a fuss to get what he wants and this will lead to more bad behavior. You want to slowly take small steps forward toward the cat, always waiting five mins between each step. Having a chair to sit in makes it easier to wait the 5 mins. By the end of the training you will be able to have the cat and dog sit next to each other with out a problem. This will work but you need time and patience. Remember your cat was there first and your cat believe's that the house is his/her teritory. The slower the better.
If you need any more training tips visit: http://www.thepetproject.zoomshare.com or email me at: [e-mail]
Any breed of dog can get along with cats. I have two Borders and a cat and they get along great. The cat shares food and beds with the dogs and the dogs don't chase the cat because "it's hard wired into their brains".

Answer 9

This is why it is very important to research your breed before you bring it home. Border Collies are a herding dog. this means they will chase and heard everything from kids to cats. There is nothing you can do. This behaviour is hard wired into his brain.

Answer 10

awwwwww! I have a border collie and she is the best dog in the world! he just needs obediance traniing, more attention, more stimulating toys and more exercise is all!