# How Do I Get My Puppy To Leave My Cats Alone? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354 "2012-02-19T21:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/1 "2012-02-19T21:15:38Z")
So, we have a 4 month-old shepadoodle named Milo. I don’t have any recent pictures since he was [tiny](http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v731/trublmakr/Milo/?action=view¤t=IMG_0649.jpg), but now he looks just like [this](http://s4.hubimg.com/u/1455715_f260.jpg). Anyway, we have been pretty intensive with his training so far. He can sit, lay down, and heel, and he’s been very good about the house training. We’ve been watching a lot of videos and reading books. He’s pretty responsive to all the training, except for one thing- he wants to kill our two cats. Well, I don’t know if he wants to kill them, exactly, but he does like to stand over them and wrap his jaws around their little necks. This goes on from morning to night. This is our biggest problem- life with Milo would be sweet if he just would stop this one annoying thing, especially for the [cats](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/651_1020756604863_1403632887_50609_1008_n.jpg). Anybody have any advice to stop this behavior? Apparently shepadoodles, from my research, instinctively do not like cats, but surely there’s hope for him to stop attacking them and accept them as part of his family. Right? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/2 "2012-02-19T21:35:43Z")
Our dog does the neck biting thing. Well the burly boys get gnawed on, but the tiny female cats actually put the dog on edge with the swatting and hitting. One of the cats, the DLH, actually seems to enjoy it. They just wrestle. It’s always fun when the dog yelps if the cat gets him in the right place. So I’m not saying that it’s not a “kill” behavior, it’s possible it is not. Do the cats have lots of high places so that they can play “hot lava”? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/3 "2012-02-19T21:38:55Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Our dog does the neck biting thing. Well the burly boys get gnawed on, but the tiny female cats actually put the dog on edge with the swatting and hitting. One of the cats, the DLH, actually seems to enjoy it. They just wrestle. It’s always fun when the dog yelps if the cat gets him in the right place. So I’m not saying that it’s not a “kill” behavior, it’s possible it is not. > > Do the cats have lots of high places so that they can play “hot lava”? Yes, they do, but one of the cats doesn’t seem to get away from him as much as the other cat. It’s almost like she says, “hey, this is my house, too, asshole, and I don’t have to jump on the chair arm for you!” I would think that they would scratch him enough that he would learn to leave them alone, but it hasn’t happened yet. I do think it’s funny when they hiss at him- hello, he doesn’t speak your language! ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/4 "2012-02-19T21:49:28Z")
Yeah, we wanted to try to train the dog. But he is mostly untrainable, so we haven’t been able to stop him eventually, the cats got more streetwise, and can sense when he isn’t wanting to play, which is when they can walk right past him without repercussions. There are times, especially with the male DSH, which make me think :smack: do you want to get covered in drool? Be smarter. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/5 "2012-02-19T23:21:04Z")
I am not sure whether dogs see cats as lunch or littermates to play with. Cats aren’t built as sturdy as puppies and may not stand up to that. Or just don’t enjoy it. Small adult dogs are plagued with large puppies too. Even many large dogs don’t enjoy puppies sharp little teeth and biting games. I think you have to treat the cats like the sofa. As soon as you see the puppy start for it, give it a sharp ‘‘Ah, ah, ah!’’ and divert it with a chew toy. You won’t correct the problem very quickly. When you can’t watch the puppy, crate it. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/6 "2012-02-20T00:30:44Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I would think that they would scratch him enough that he would learn to leave them alone, but it hasn’t happened yet! That’s not always a good solution. Often it makes them more trouble than they’re worth, and a dog will choose to leave them alone. But sometimes they manage to piss the dog off. They don’t want to do that. Then they’re toast. They’ll spend the rest of their lives hiding from the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/7 "2012-02-20T00:32:18Z")
Why would you get a dog that has a reputation of not liking cats, when you have cats? Train the “Off” or “Leave it” commands. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/8 "2012-02-20T00:43:20Z")
I was thinking thusly - If he had wanted to hurt the cats, they’d be dead at this point of the game. They will find a way to work it out together, and remember that some animals are simply showing who is alpha at this point, and clearly the cats aren’t too worried or a.) he wouldn’t have a nose left b.) they would be hiding in places he would be unable to do this. By the way - the cute little pic called ‘tiny’ - that dog is _planning_ something. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/9 "2012-02-20T01:38:02Z")
You need a [more assertive cat.](http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/13100000/Black-Panther-animals-13128450-1440-900.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/10 "2012-02-20T03:37:53Z")
> [@Minnie\_Luna](#): > > Why would you get a dog that has a reputation of not liking cats, when you have cats? > > Train the “Off” or “Leave it” commands. Well, I didn’t know until _after_ we got him that he would be like that with cats. Also, I was under the impression from shows like\* The Dog Whisperer\* that you could train a dog to do damn near anything. At any rate, it doesn’t do much good to bemoan our selection- we’re kind of stuck with him now. But thanks for the advice- we will work on ‘leave it’ next. I hope it works. One thing that I have found that works really well is to exhaust the dog with playing and walking outside- a tired dog is not only a happy dog, but one that doesn’t have the energy to mess with the cats much. And **simster** , ha- [this picture](http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v731/trublmakr/Milo/?action=view¤t=IMG_0649.jpg#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fsmg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv731%2Ftrublmakr%2FMilo%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DIMG_0655.jpg) is of him seeing a cat- he is definitely up to something! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/11 "2012-02-20T05:17:20Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Well, I didn’t know until _after_ we got him that he would be like that with cats. Also, I was under the impression from shows like\* The Dog Whisperer\* that you could train a dog to do damn near anything. At any rate, it doesn’t do much good to bemoan our selection- we’re kind of stuck with him now. But thanks for the advice- we will work on ‘leave it’ next. I hope it works. One thing that I have found that works really well is to exhaust the dog with playing and walking outside- a tired dog is not only a happy dog, but one that doesn’t have the energy to mess with the cats much. > > And **simster** , ha- [this picture](http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v731/trublmakr/Milo/?action=view¤t=IMG_0649.jpg#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fsmg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv731%2Ftrublmakr%2FMilo%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DIMG_0655.jpg) is of him seeing a cat- he is definitely up to something! Alice - you are in for some serious fun/trouble there - enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/12 "2012-02-20T05:40:50Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I was thinking thusly - > > If he had wanted to hurt the cats, they’d be dead at this point of the game. > > They will find a way to work it out together, and remember that some animals are simply showing who is alpha at this point, and clearly the cats aren’t too worried or > > a.) he wouldn’t have a nose left > b.) they would be hiding in places he would be unable to do this. > > By the way - the cute little pic called ‘tiny’ - that dog is _planning_ something. I agree with this. My GSD/pit bull mix does the mouth-on-the-cats thing from time to time and he could certainly kill them is he wanted to, but I think he’s trying to be affectionate or something. The cats don’t seem to care and they are regularly seen all curled up together. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/13 "2012-02-20T05:53:40Z")
Alice, I lived in a household with with 4 dogs and 3 cats (and a cockatiel) Just arm the cats, > **[Cats With Guns](https://www.buzzfeed.com/tiad/cats-with-guns)** > > It looks like some violence is about to go down. I think those pug thugs need to watch their backs. One warning shot is all it takes. And, yes, I did have to repair the wall after Bama tried to shoot Sicarius. But, you know, he never messed with Bama ever again. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/14 "2012-02-20T11:37:45Z")
Bwahaha! That’s all my cats need, is guns! That was too funny for 4:30 in the morning! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/15 "2012-02-21T13:42:07Z")
Our pit bull never wanted to hurt the cat we brought into the household, but our other dog, the pit bull/hound mix, was outright predatory toward him. Fortunately she’s VERY sensitive to what we want her to do, so repeatedly telling her “Friend, friend,” while petting both her and the cat, and laying a hand on her back and saying “Easy…” whenever she looked at him like prey, resulted in her easing off entirely. She doesn’t “like” him but she will totally ignore him walking up and rubbing against her. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/16 "2012-02-21T16:49:58Z")
You’ll need two things. First, a way to temporarily separate him from the cats completely when you aren’t training him about cats, to protect your cats and keep him from reinforcing his fun game. Second, a way to give him an aversive message about cats as soon as he approaches them that is both very effective and doesn’t appear to involve you. Why the latter? So he associates it with being aggressive to cats, not with being around you and cats at the same time. Otherwise, a smart dog will just learn to not bother cats when you are around. My personal choice would be an electronic collar. You can buzz your dog while appearing to be totally uninvolved. What you want is an association like: bugging cats gives me a sudden unpleasant feeling out of nowhere. It must come from those cats! E-collars are very subtle these days, they aren’t like getting a shock (unless you dial it way up). You can dial it down to a faint vibration. If you’ve never used one, make a date with a trainer who does, so you can learn how. They are not any more cruel than the hands that operate them, like any other training device. They are expensive, and you won’t need it long at all if you are doing it right, so you might be able to get a trainer to loan you one. That’s what I did. If you don’t do something about this right now you will have this issue for the life of the dog. And it may well get worse. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-puppy-to-leave-my-cats-alone/613354/17 "2012-02-21T22:37:53Z")
That seems like a great idea, **Ulfreida** , thank you! I will start looking for one to borrow, or if that doesn’t work out, maybe I can find a used one somewhere. Very much appreciated!