August 10, 2026
How do I stop my dogs from chasing my cat?
Full Question:
Dear Mam and Sir,My Dog and Cat were raised together with no problems. I adopted a desperate stray with monumental pray instinct.
Today they got after my cat in a bad way.
Jim, who grew up with the cat, was just as involved as our new dog.
Jim and the cat are four years old. I suspect the new arrival is one year old.
I need a direction in correcting, not only the new dogs behavior, but the change in Jim's behavior.
Thank you in advance if you have time to offer me any direction in this matter.
Leerburg's Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for reaching out. Our advice is based only on the information you provide and is for educational purposes only. We have not evaluated your dog in person. Dog aggression and behavior problems can be dangerous and require assessment by a qualified trainer, behavior professional, or veterinarian. You are responsible for safely managing your dog and for any decisions you make based on our guidance. Leerburg assumes no liability for injuries, damages, or other outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of our advice.
Dogs are highly susceptible to picking up and escalating arousal states from other dogs, especially in high-intensity moments like a live chase. The new dog's strong prey instinct likely triggered a pack-arousal cascade that pulled Jim in, even though Jim has four years of safe history with the cat individually. To work on this issue I would consider these things:
1) Immediate full separation of the cat from both dogs — no shared access, supervised or not, until a structured plan is in place.
2) Separate reintroduction tracks: Jim gets slow, calm, individual re-exposure to the cat once the new dog is fully out of the equation for those sessions. The new dog gets a structured, gradual desensitization protocol to the cat from a distance, with heavy management (leash, muzzle if needed) — and honest expectations set that some dogs with strong innate prey drive are never fully off-leash-safe with cats, even after real training progress.
3) Strict management of the new dog in the home around the cat and Jim. I would keep the new dog in a crate, in an ex-pen, in muzzle, on leash, or some combination of those for a long time to manage and prevent any chasing of the cat.
I would consider muzzling the new dog, if not both dogs, while you manage this situation and teach the new dog with intense prey drive that "Crittering" as we call it, is not allowed. I would introduce corrections via a corrective collar for this behavior. The intensity of the correction depends on what is needed to execute a behavior change in the dog.
I attached a muzzle recommendation for you. Any purchase of a muzzle from leerburg.com comes with free access to our online course on teaching your dog to wear a muzzle comfortably.
Thanks for reaching out. Our advice is based only on the information you provide and is for educational purposes only. We have not evaluated your dog in person. Dog aggression and behavior problems can be dangerous and require assessment by a qualified trainer, behavior professional, or veterinarian. You are responsible for safely managing your dog and for any decisions you make based on our guidance. Leerburg assumes no liability for injuries, damages, or other outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of our advice.
Dogs are highly susceptible to picking up and escalating arousal states from other dogs, especially in high-intensity moments like a live chase. The new dog's strong prey instinct likely triggered a pack-arousal cascade that pulled Jim in, even though Jim has four years of safe history with the cat individually. To work on this issue I would consider these things:
1) Immediate full separation of the cat from both dogs — no shared access, supervised or not, until a structured plan is in place.
2) Separate reintroduction tracks: Jim gets slow, calm, individual re-exposure to the cat once the new dog is fully out of the equation for those sessions. The new dog gets a structured, gradual desensitization protocol to the cat from a distance, with heavy management (leash, muzzle if needed) — and honest expectations set that some dogs with strong innate prey drive are never fully off-leash-safe with cats, even after real training progress.
3) Strict management of the new dog in the home around the cat and Jim. I would keep the new dog in a crate, in an ex-pen, in muzzle, on leash, or some combination of those for a long time to manage and prevent any chasing of the cat.
I would consider muzzling the new dog, if not both dogs, while you manage this situation and teach the new dog with intense prey drive that "Crittering" as we call it, is not allowed. I would introduce corrections via a corrective collar for this behavior. The intensity of the correction depends on what is needed to execute a behavior change in the dog.
I attached a muzzle recommendation for you. Any purchase of a muzzle from leerburg.com comes with free access to our online course on teaching your dog to wear a muzzle comfortably.
User Response:
Thank you very much. I found your advice spot on and no nonsense.Your advice has truly helped me.
Peace, my sister
No ratings yet
Was this Q&A helpful? Let us know!
Can't find what you're looking for?
No ratings yet
Was this Q&A helpful? Let us know!
