You Really Can Keep Dogs and Cats from Fighting
Anyone who has ever owned a dog and a cat, living in the same household, knows where the saying “they fight like cats and dogs” comes from. There is truth in the statement which leads to many pet owners looking for an easy solution to the problem. Yes, it’s in their nature, but with a little effort, you can teach your furry children to play nice. You really can keep dogs and cats from fighting. Here’s how it’s done.
Match Personalities if Possible
One of the main problems in multi-pet families is that pets have personality conflicts just like adults do. Sometimes one is more playful or hyper than the other, which leads to skirmishes at the best of times. If at all possible, try to find buddies that match well. If both aren’t playful, at least hope the other is tolerant of bouncy behavior. When you find puppies for sale, try to determine their personality to see if you feel they may get along with or be tolerant of a cat.
It All Begins with Obedience Training
Helping cats and dogs get along requires some amount of obedience training – for the owner as well as for the dog! Consistency is the key to successful obedience training so you can’t let your guard down even for a moment. Dogs are like children and once you’ve let them get away with something, they will try it again and again and again.
Leash Training
When first introducing a dog and cat, leash training is advised by dog trainers and breeders around the country. By nature, dogs want to chase cats and for whatever it is worth, cats seem to enjoy the game. You cannot let this happen, so for the first period of time, until the dog stops pulling against the leash you must keep the dog leashed.
Pick a Verbal Command and Stick with It
Another good bit of advice comes from experts who train dogs on a daily basis. Just as we use commands like “Stay!” “Leave it!” or “Come,” simple one or two word commands seem to do the trick. Perhaps the ones they already know will suffice. Since dogs get a kick out of chasing cats, then Stay! or Leave it! might suffice. Find a verbal command that is easy for your dog to learn and stick with it.
When All Else Fails – Go Back to School
So, you ‘thought’ you had a handle on it and your dog and cat seemed to be getting along for a while. All of a sudden something kicks in and they are right back at it again. Kitty runs away and dog chases kitty. (All over the house, knocking everything over in their path!) If something came unglued and all your efforts became unwound, go back to school! Obedience classes are not just for puppies and they surely aren’t only a one-time fix for every behavior.
Since most multi-pet households tend to be comprised of at least a dog and a cat, it is wise to understand their inherent natures in order to keep them from fighting like cats and dogs. Whether you are a dog owner who is thinking of getting a cat, or a cat owner enticed by the ‘Little Puppies Online” pop-ups on your screen, you can have both in the same household. It just takes a little extra effort and a whole lot of patience.
I love your ideas and teaching the animals to respect each other and follow their training. My poor dog would give me a hang dog look every time the damn cat climbs over him as if to say I would eat the furball but I know you wouldnt like that lol
We have 3 dogs outside (Pit/Boxer mix, Pit/Lab mix, & Husky mix), 2 dogs inside (Mini Pincher & Hound mix) and 7 cats (a Blue Russian and the rest are Tabbies). We have one with diabetes, and several with recurring issues of crystals in their urine. We’re not sure if the outside dogs see the cats as toys or food but either way when they’re brought inside during thunderstorms, extreme heat or cold we kennel them. The Mini Pincher tries to regularly hump the cats and the Hound mix harasses them regularly.
Our cat got along fine with our 2 dogs.
Thank you for this article, very helpful tips!
I have 2 dogs and 1 cat, and they are good friends! If the dogs start to bother the cat, he just climbs up where they can’t get to him.
Our dog just wants to play with the cat, but the cat wants nothing to do with him. Actually, at times the dog is scared of the cat!
good way to do it 🙂
Well, I must say this was interesting, and some good tips. I have an old dog she’s going on 13 yrs. and we were very fortunate to get such a smart dog. You show her something once or twice that’s it she knows what you want. Yes, we’ve been very fortunate.
I’ve had dogs and have had cats but never at the same time.
I’ve had cats and dogs together many times, and no problem! Right now I’ve got 3 cats and 2 birds and they’re all buddies!
My beloved dog, Molly who joined our family just months after my own birth, became my best friend growing up. When she was just about 7 years old, put up with a lot! Our kitten was of course h also became a soulmate of mine. Molly was a darling when we adopted a kitten was played around with her, but Molly dealt with it. A couple of times, she would get annoyed and snap at him. But eventually, they became buddies. They even took long naps on the carpet right next to each other often. Going on short walks around the block, our cat would join us or pop in and out to surprise us and give us a chuckle.
Thanks for the article. And yes, many you hear don’t get along, but many do too! Online you will also find so many photos of best friend dog/cats. 🙂
These are great tips and anyone I would think should learn from an instructor, this way they can be safe and also the animals..
I wouldn’t have one of each. By nature, they tend to not get along. I wouldn’t force it.
my dog did obedience training but she still dosn’t like cats
Great tips. I always thought that getting them young was the only way
We have been very fortunate that our animals get along together. Usually no spats or temper problems. But once in a while personalities do clash!
I had two dogs and they didn’t have similar personalities at all. It was tough at first, lots of jealousy, alpha dog stuff, and they fought and made a lot of noise, but never hurt each other, just jockeying for position. I was always very stern with them about that, they learned it displeased me and it happened less and less. They got to be best friends and really protective of each other. I think it’s like any relationship…you’ve just got to work it out with love.
This was very interesting. I had never thought about matching their personalities. Thanks for all the information.
Can appreciate your tips as we have 2 of each in our home. The latest addition is our rescue girl Lolli dog back in Nov. It does take work and commitment on behavior issues and character differences, but the love and times of smiles and laughter make it worth it.
My dog did obedience training which helped