How to train your dog not to chase the cat...

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I adopted a 2yo German Shepherd and his prey drive is VERY high. I have had success training him with the chickens and now I need to teach him to leave the cat alone. Since getting the dog, we have been keeping the cat downstairs, but that's just now fair to her, and not safe either (if they were to make contact somehow). She is a social cat, and wants to be able to go outside and hang out with the family without fear of attack. The dog has attacked and injured her one time when she snuck upstairs, so I am very eager to get this taken care of. Getting rid of a pet is not an option for us. Any advise? Have any of you taught this to your dog? I know this isn't a dog training site, it's a chicken site, but hopefully I can get some good advise.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

I would put a baby gate up so that the dog can get use to it. Also keeping the dog on a leash and treating him every time he chooses to focus on you and not the cat.

 

[Nym]

A firm, calm 'no' followed by a firm tossing of a rolled newspaper or tightly rolled towel at the dog BEFORE it looks at the cat. You know it's going to go after the cat, so set it up and win. Yes, the dog will look at you in surprise or even yelp and run off or hide etc. Ignore this and have a cup of coffee as if going about your day as usual. Do not feel sorry for your dog during these moments. Congrats - you have now become your dog's focus, like it's meant to be, not your cat. Use their prey drive to play fetch with a ball.

 

[Rillowen]

I just posted this for chickens, so ill post it here as well, same principal, just with your cat in a small room instead. [Disclaimer, i am not a professional dog trainer, have just spent much time around dogs, and successfully introduced hunting adult dogs to chickens and cats 3 times]

I dont know much on poodles, but sheep dogs are very good about recognizing the masters prey animals as things to protect. Some dogs, even within breeds, will require more or less training, so much is dependent on how your dog reacts and how well they learn. Just be to make sure the dog views you as master, this is important not matter what you are doing. Dogs need a clear leader, and if you dont provide that they will be more stressed and try to fill the role themselves, even though they dont knwo what they are doing. A masterless dog is miserable, but the occasional firm disciplinewill help them feel comfortablethey know what they are doing, and lead to a happy dog.
Some dogs will have no troubles, but i tend to have dogs with high hunting instincts. For chickens I would leash the dog very tightly and take it into the pen/close proximity. Let it sniff the birds, but if it snaps or try to chase sharply jerk back, give a swat on the nose, and if it doesn't settle then flip on the back and a light choke grip with shake [mostly digging fingers on either side of the windpipe, as another dog would to threaten, not actually chocking or blocking blood. Then hold the dog there until they stop resisting, take your hand away a bit and when they go to get up pin them again with a growl. Do this until they stay a momnt when you remove your hand, then give them permission and pat their belly. This is the most serious discipline you can give a dog, so dont over do it, but it is good at least once to show them you really mean it, you ARE in comand.] Repeat this for about 10 mins, 3-4 days in a row, as the dog is calmer around the birds encourage with pets and praise and a looser leash. If the dog shows no agression to the birds at all give a treat when you leave. After that bring the dog with on a loose leash every time you go out to them. After a week or 2 the dog will have learned and you can let them mingle without problem (mostly likely ). You may have to get onto the dog for excited chasing with no intent to kill a few times, so i would monitor for the first week of free mingling, but that should be it. Good luck!