Training EM to Leave Cats Alone

[shelleyk]

Jasper, our 12 week EM, wants nothing more than to play with our cats. Whenever they're crazy enough to come down off the counter (which is happening less and less these days), he chases them and, if he has the chance, tries to pounce on them. If they manage to climb up on something out of reach, he barks. One of the cats will swipe at him, but it doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent. All of this happens with waggy tail. He's approaching 40lbs with, oh, another 160 to go ;-), so I'm concerned about this pouncing behavior and don't like, in general, that the cats are being terrorized.

So, I want to train Jasper to leave the cats alone. I'm trying to learn as fast as I can, but am new to puppy ownership (had a border collie previously that we got as an adult, already trained) and to EMs. I'd love some really specific advice about stopping this behavior. Do I give him treats to sit while the cats walk by? What if the chase is already on before I have a chance to react? How do I intervene at that point?

Thanks!

 

[joshuagough]

At 12 weeks he should be a leash dragger still, when he's focused on the cat call him to you in a high pitch silly tone (something that will get his attention).

You want to set him up to suceed (praise him big when he comes to you, treats are good also), but use the leash if he doesn't listen.. he's to young to be corrected using any pressure. That said stop the behavior everytime you see it, I'd work to teach him something like "settle down" where he would lay/sit and watch the cat or whatever it is, but not try to engage it. If he were to get up and go after the cat I would walk thru the same steps, use you leash if need be.

 

[DDSK]

The other alternative is to soak the cat in habenaro hot sauce and let him catch it.
The dog lears that the cat doesn't taste good and the Cat only has to endure this once, of course the cat will start breating fire when it tries to lick all the sauce off but that is for another forum.

 

[cinnamon roll]

Perfectly said Josh!!!

At 12 weeks he should be a leash dragger still, when he's focused on the cat call him to you in a high pitch silly tone (something that will get his attention).

You want to set him up to suceed (praise him big when he comes to you, treats are good also), but use the leash if he doesn't listen.. he's to young to be corrected using any pressure. That said stop the behavior everytime you see it, I'd work to teach him something like "settle down" where he would lay/sit and watch the cat or whatever it is, but not try to engage it. If he were to get up and go after the cat I would walk thru the same steps, use you leash if need be.

 

[cayeesmom]

The other alternative is to soak the cat in habenaro hot sauce and let him catch it.
The dog lears that the cat doesn't taste good and the Cat only has to endure this once, of course the cat will start breating fire when it tries to lick all the sauce off but that is for another forum.

That is hilarious, I needed a good laugh! :lolbangtable::lolbangtable:

 

[joshuagough]

LOL love it.

The other alternative is to soak the cat in habenaro hot sauce and let him catch it.
The dog lears that the cat doesn't taste good and the Cat only has to endure this once, of course the cat will start breating fire when it tries to lick all the sauce off but that is for another forum.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Smokeycat]

At 12 weeks he should be a leash dragger still, when he's focused on the cat call him to you in a high pitch silly tone (something that will get his attention).

You want to set him up to suceed (praise him big when he comes to you, treats are good also), but use the leash if he doesn't listen.. he's to young to be corrected using any pressure. That said stop the behavior everytime you see it, I'd work to teach him something like "settle down" where he would lay/sit and watch the cat or whatever it is, but not try to engage it. If he were to get up and go after the cat I would walk thru the same steps, use you leash if need be.

I use the leash when Jiggers 'forgets' that he has to be nice to the cats. He was trained both by myself by using 'ignore' and by the cats being allowed to smack and nip at him if needed.

 

[shelleyk]

Thanks so much for the tips. I'll probably try the leash before I resort to the habanero sauce. I've been grabbing him by the collar when he tries to take off after the cats, but sometimes that leads to him twisting around, trying to nip me--and then it's off to the ex-pen if he won't calm down. Soooo ready for the nipping to stop!

 

[joshuagough]

They also make "long leads" which can be from 10-30ft thinner style leash material.

They are great for a number of things but it will help you work on the distance.. as you can get many pups dialed in if they are close but once they are further out instinct can get the best of their little minds.

Thanks so much for the tips. I'll probably try the leash before I resort to the habanero sauce. I've been grabbing him by the collar when he tries to take off after the cats, but sometimes that leads to him twisting around, trying to nip me--and then it's off to the ex-pen if he won't calm down. Soooo ready for the nipping to stop!

 

[DDSK]

They also make "long leads" which can be from 10-30ft thinner style leash material.

They are great for a number of things but it will help you work on the distance.. as you can get many pups dialed in if they are close but once they are further out instinct can get the best of their little minds.

If you want to go with a long leash for training you can save a bunch of money by getting some 5/16 braided nylon rope from the hardware store and a clip and you can cut it to any size you want.
Any extra rope can be used either to make different sizes of long leads or for other projects around the house, camping, you name it.

 

[joshuagough]

Great suggestion. I'm all about being thrifty.

If you want to go with a long leash for training you can save a bunch of money by getting some 5/16 braided nylon rope from the hardware store and a clip and you can cut it to any size you want.
Any extra rope can be used either to make different sizes of long leads or for other projects around the house, camping, you name it.