How can I make my newly adopted dog like my cat?

Question

we adopted a dog that we were told liked other animals she is an enlgish springer spaniel about 1 year old.. she is perfect definetly what we have been looking for there is just one problem whenever she sees our cat she barks at her and chases her I've never heard her growl at the cat or show teeth. she won't stop even on command I hate to separtate them but I don't know what else I can do.. any advice will help please

Answer 1

spaniels are hunting dogs.. she is doing what comes naturally.. I am surprised you were not told NOT to get this kind of a dog.. or at least to get one who has been around cats before..
if your cat hisses or runs it makes itself into more of a target but you cannot really control that...

have your dog on leash at all times... if it has Obedience training make it SIT and pay attention to YOU..have the dog focus on you.. and reward it for ignoring the cat.. always have soft treats ready in your pocket for instant reward... eventually the dog will associate being good around the cat as a good thing

Answer 2

She won't stop on command because the thrill and fun of chasing your cat is much, much more fun for her than following directions from you. You should separate them when you're not around, for the safety of the cat. Whenever your cat will allow it, have your dog on leash and feed him his dinner, piece by piece, with the cat around. Don't be afraid to use really amazing treats in this situation too, if the dog's dinner isn't enough to keep his attention. At first this may feel that you are rewarding the dog for staring at the cat/barking and growling/etc, but what you are actually doing is called classical conditioning. With enough repetitions of this (try to do whenever you can, not just at dinnertime) the dog will associate the cat's presence with being fed, and interacting with you. It's great that you're asking for help now, since you will be able to turn this around. This kind of behavior won't go away without you working on it.
*Please do not ever hit your dog.*
Striking or swatting your dog with a newspaper will cause more agression. Do not do this!

Answer 3

I would suggest a trainer. And even then, you may not get the dog totally broke of chasing. After all, it is what they were bred for. Just a little horror story..... I was in a petstore checkout once and a lady in the next line had 2 retired Greyhounds by the end of the leash. A woman walked in the door with a small Poodle. The 2 Greyhounds ran up and grabbed the Poodle. Each had one end of the dog and were just shaking and ripping it apart! They would let go, but when the litte dog started to run away, they went right back after it. I don't think you want something like this to happen.

Answer 4

Put your cat in its kitty kennel and then put your dog in the same room as your cat. You must keep your dog on a leash just in case it gets too agressive. Now, to keep your dog from barking you have to calm it down
-shush it whenever it starts to growl (if it does). sit down next to it and and say "no" dont let it be aggresive at all. If she barks continually rolled up newspaper to the tushie will do the trick. let it get close to kitty if it behaves, Dont expect miracles on the first try. This takes time. and your kitty may not like your dog to start with ( this proved true with my old cat and my new dog XP )
Over time your cat can come out of the Kennel and sit on a sofa or a chair wherever it feels comfortable, but keep your dog on a leash! hope this helps you out a little!

Answer 5

Yes just give them some time. I just got a new kitten and my other four cats have adjusted just fine. With cats and dogs its a little harder but that just means it will take a little longer. (trust me im a kid and have already had 7 cats in my life) if u see your cat hissing just let her hiss. She is just showing that its her house and he's just the new kid.

Hope this helps,
Hannah J

Answer 6

You cant make them like eachother.

As long as he isnt trying to harm the cat, just let them get used to eachother. Right now she just wants to chase the kitty because it's a new, exciting animal. Eventually they will become used to eachother and not even care that they about eachothers presence.

Answer 7

There's nothing you can do except seperate them when it gets bad. I have a dog and a cat and they still fight after 2 years. Sorry

Answer 8

you really cant MAKE a dog like a cat. when i first got my dog, my cat didnt like her, but after a week or so they got used to each other. now they are best friends!

Answer 9

You may never get them to get along with their ages.

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