cat chase

[BrownieNJoyce]

See my post dated 5/31/10 called "Keep NDT-ing. Brownie's progress" for a review of where we are in training if that helps you respond to this.

Yesterday, I think Brownie was overstimulated from going with us on a river walk, having open windows in the house, plus my husband and I going in and out frequently while doing yard work and letting him in and out of the yard. We have tried to block off his views through the fence but then he just stood up on his hind legs and looked over the top. (he's tall when fully extended like that!) I try to do occasional pushing with him while I'm gardening and to keep him quiet in between but he does end up on his own staring out the fence watching for the neighbor's dog to appear in their doorway. Hate to keep him in the house when it's so nice out but... it may be contributing to problem as follows:

Later on he escaped out the front door when someone rang the bell and my hubby forgot to secure him first. the neighbor's cat was right there in the yard across the street so a major chase ensued. The cat didn't come back til this morning and the neighbors said he is limping. There are no signs that our dog actually made direct contact with the cat so the injury may be "secondary". Of course, we still feel responsible,apologized and offered to pay any vet bills. I decided that until Brownie is further along in training (doesn't have bottled energy that explodes when the door opens) we have to get a baby gate for the porch.

Would like to hear from anyone that has had similar cat chase issues. Dare I imagine that this may not always be an issue?

I have never slacked off the training but if I'm away it doesn't happen since my husband hasn't started doing it yet. I've been away a lot lately, about one long weekend a month and once for 9 days. (my mom has a terminal illness). Also, three days a week when I'm at work my husband takes him for a long mid-day walk. In July my husband's work will slow down and he plans to start participating fully, so then when he walks Brownie he'll be able to resolve more of the charges.

I welcome your thoughts.

[Heather]

Hi Joyce,

I believe when a dog is fully trained you would be able to call him off of a cat chase, although is that ever 100%, I don't know.

I struggle with cat chasing, my neighbor has many barn cats that roam our property, and the cats seem to instigate it and enjoy it. Happy seems to know he can't outrun them though, so if he's chilled out he will not even be goaded into the chase.

As far as the cat's injuries being your responsibility, it is very nice of you but the cat was unconfined outdoors, so what happened is perfectly expected. I lost a beautiful cat last fall who just loved his time outdoors and he didn't wander. But he was in a chase, either the chaser or the chasee, and ran into the road. So now my cats stay inside and get fresh air through the windows, no matter how much they would like to go out (I am not up for the bloodshed involved in getting harnesses/leashes on them!)

[Chris]

Originally Posted by BrownieNJoyce

Would like to hear from anyone that has had similar cat chase issues. Dare I imagine that this may not always be an issue?

I can't be a lot of help here but with us since we've been doing NDT we've had a massive improvement with Ty and cats.

From 7 weeks old Ty gave our 4 ex-wild cats at home and 3 strays at work hell. He yapped in their face to make them run and chased them everywhere. Since doing the NDT he's befriended two of the cats, one he's best of buddies with, the others now put up with him but he still gets the odd smack across the nose. 8 times out of 10 if I see him go to take off after one of the cats I can get him back but since all my cats are ex-wild they are very prey like outside so it is a mission to distract Ty at times. Over all a big improvement.

[Drea]

Tucker had an experience with a snake tonight. He noticed it, I asked him to Leave It, and while he was still *very* interested, left it alone. Granted, he was on-lead, but still. I was very impressed.

We have three inside cats, one *barn* cat that moved in on its own, and Tucker doesn't chase any of them, unless they run away. That's the key with Tucker, which is probably why I can often get him to chase me.