Hi folks! I searched the training forum and couldn't find an answer to my question. Of course, I'm googling the heck out of it but might as well ask "the experts"
I have a new adoptee, a 2 year old Mexican rescue who is probably quite a solid mix of various sighthounds. Off leash he chases birds, squirrels (did I mention he can climb trees?), rabbits, etc.
My resident cat (Moby) is an absolute chicken $h!t. To my utter amazement, Moby has been somewhat interested in the dog. I kept them separated by a door for about a week and Moby seemed quite interested in coming into the "dog's side" of the door so I have been spending periods of time with the dog on a 4 foot lead attached to the couch, laying on his bed, and letting the cat come and go as he wants. If the dog is not on a fixed leash then the door is shut and they have no contact. Moby has been shockingly brave around the dog (I'm so proud!) and the dog is doing incredibly well. I'm clicker training him to look at me instead of the cat, but every once in a while the cat moves in for a little sniff and the dog will make a darting motion towards him, which sends Moby flying out of the room. I doubt Moby can withstand many more of those surprises before he gives up and decides the dog is "scary".
A more concerning issue is that twice now the dog has growled and almost snapped at Moby when Moby has approached him while he has a particularly favourite treat or toy. The dog has no problem giving up his toys and treats to me. He knows "drop it" and does so quite willingly so no resource guarding with me. Now I'm taking the dog's toys away when the cat is in the room.
So, to make an incredibly long winded story short: what's the most effective way of teaching a dog that he absolutely CANNOT dart at a cat in the house? "Leave it" command? Spray with water (ugh, don't want to do that, pup is sensitive). I'm willing to be persistent and patient with this for as long as it takes, I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. I want it to be reliable, even if it's a couple of years down the road. Second question: ugh, how do you train a dog out of resource guarding with a cat? He's great with me so I'm not sure how to create a situation where I can reward him for appropriate behaviour.
I have a new adoptee, a 2 year old Mexican rescue who is probably quite a solid mix of various sighthounds. Off leash he chases birds, squirrels (did I mention he can climb trees?), rabbits, etc.
My resident cat (Moby) is an absolute chicken $h!t. To my utter amazement, Moby has been somewhat interested in the dog. I kept them separated by a door for about a week and Moby seemed quite interested in coming into the "dog's side" of the door so I have been spending periods of time with the dog on a 4 foot lead attached to the couch, laying on his bed, and letting the cat come and go as he wants. If the dog is not on a fixed leash then the door is shut and they have no contact. Moby has been shockingly brave around the dog (I'm so proud!) and the dog is doing incredibly well. I'm clicker training him to look at me instead of the cat, but every once in a while the cat moves in for a little sniff and the dog will make a darting motion towards him, which sends Moby flying out of the room. I doubt Moby can withstand many more of those surprises before he gives up and decides the dog is "scary".
A more concerning issue is that twice now the dog has growled and almost snapped at Moby when Moby has approached him while he has a particularly favourite treat or toy. The dog has no problem giving up his toys and treats to me. He knows "drop it" and does so quite willingly so no resource guarding with me. Now I'm taking the dog's toys away when the cat is in the room.
So, to make an incredibly long winded story short: what's the most effective way of teaching a dog that he absolutely CANNOT dart at a cat in the house? "Leave it" command? Spray with water (ugh, don't want to do that, pup is sensitive). I'm willing to be persistent and patient with this for as long as it takes, I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. I want it to be reliable, even if it's a couple of years down the road. Second question: ugh, how do you train a dog out of resource guarding with a cat? He's great with me so I'm not sure how to create a situation where I can reward him for appropriate behaviour.