I love how there was no yelling! 😂 Thanks a ton for the video and I hope it the dog I was searching this for! I wanna thank the algarithm too....Seems I can never just watch just ONE video though😒
Hey! Thanks for watching! Let me know how this goes. These simple tips can be enough to help in some cases, although if your dog’s behavior is more intense I have an online class that is more comprehensive. It shows you how to establish relaxation exercises first and then how to use those exercises to teach dogs to better regulate stress or arousal. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com check out the “online classes” tab for more information. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you so much for showing a dog on Day 1. I was getting quite disheartened by all the training videos that show grinning trainers and coached dogs in green open fields and Oh This Is Just So Easy. My current project behaves almost exactly like Ludo, in regards to excitement level (even a bit calmer!) It gives me a lot of hope that I can overcome this. I will be watching more of your videos, and starting cat and chicken specific training first thing tomorrow!
Thanks so much for posting this video. I wanted to let you know what a big help it was when we brought our new dog home and she proceeded to chase our 2 cats. After about a month of working with the dog and cats they can now all be in the same room together without a ruckus! My husband and are so excited by their progress. Thank you!
@@carolinaanadegrazia We used the clicker and even upped the treats by giving her bits of steak.... we had her undivided attention even in front of the cats! The cats also had to get their confidence up, and come to learn that she was not going to hurt them, it definitely took time. We also placed a wooden baby gate 8-10 inches up in our bedroom doorway so the cats could 'escape' into our bedroom without the dog being able to follow them in there. We also used the gate to help get the dog and cats in close proximity to each other while offering both treats.
@@13Nicki13 ok! I have already put that gate through which they can see eachother ! But sometimes the cat passes through and the dog almost catched her omg! We are trying to do what you say
Thank you so much for this video. I adopted a dog who is overly excited to chase/play with my cats. I am living two lives in the house right now, and I want to do this right.
+A Coronado Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. Thanks for watching. Let me know how the training goes. If you need more help and want to set up a phone or skype consultation you can fill out this assessment form: www.legendsdogtraining.com/assessment-form.html - the consult is usually an hour in length, costs $90 and includes written training and management recommendations. www.legendsdogtraining.com
Omg u worded it so perfectly! I’ve got a bedroom life and a living room/dog walking life. Just started fostering a very excitable out rescue and trying to give them both enough love attention and everything else they need is exhausting. Hoping it doesn’t take tooooo long to do this right
I adopted a dog (2.5 yr old pitbull) 3 months ago who was described as having a potentially high prey drive. She was adopted and returned to the shelter 24 hrs later by someone who had a cat (which I saw as overly impatient). The shelter then said she should not go to a home with a cat. I liked her personality a lot (sweet, relaxed) so I did some research. After a consultation with an animal behavioralist at the shelter and seeing her calmly meet a kitten there, I decided to adopt her. As expected, she got overly excited with my 11-year old kitty, but she's very mellow the rest of the time. I have been taking a patient approach the last few months, with regular correction and rewards, trying to make sure they see each other for a period (safely) each day, and hoping that my dog will eventually desensitize. It's not moving along very quickly and sometimes feels like we are moving backwards. I go back and forth between feeling optimistic ("we can do this!") and feeling like I have created a situation where I will be "living two lives" (as A Coronado said) forever. Although I love hanging out with each of them separately (my dog when we're out on walks and the kitty during bedtime or when doggy is in the yard), I can't relax when they are in the same room. It's been a very expensive 3 months as well, with the home adjustments to keep them separate during the day, dog walker, and all the other expenses of a dog (that cat owners might never think of). I'm frustrated and tired, and worried that this is the permanent situation I've created for myself and both my furry kids. I never plan to leave my dog alone with my cat, but want to get to a point where she can be unrestrained while I am home. Thanks, I needed to vent a little and I do feel better after reading about others who faced this and found a way. I am thinking I need to get a 2nd crate (this one for the kitty) and be more aggressive with the training. Alyssa Rose, I would love any suggestions you might have.
Hi! I am in your EXACT situation!!! I adopted a 2 year old pit/greyhound mix (idk he has a pit kinda face, but is all skinny and long like a greyhound). Anyway, got him a month ago. I have a 9 year old cat. He can be very calm, but I love my cat way more...I've had her since she was a month old. I dont know what to do! I had a dog up to last year who passed away. He was an angel with manners and actually scared of my cat. So the two avoided each other's gaze. It wasn't perfect, but they got along. I now realized how spoiled I was with him all those years. If you have any pointers, let me know! I'm at the point where I'm considering finding the dog a new home.
Hi Menaka and UF201011 I am going to write a few tips here that might be of help. 1) All training sessions with the cat and the dog should occur with the dog on a secure harness and six foot leash. 2) Keep your training sessions short! They should each be about 10 minutes, I use timers to make sure they don't drag on. It's better to do 2 or 3 short sessions each day, then to do one really long one. 3) Use solid management in-between each training session to prevent your dog from practicing any undesirable behavior. 4) Don't be stingy on the the reinforcement! I use training food that is moist, meaty, nutritious, delicious, easy to break into small pieces and doesn't crumble. For me, this means it's usually one of three types of food Happy Howie's food rolls (the beef, turkey or lamb formula), Red Barn food rolls (the beef formula) or diced chicken. 5) Create a training plan. Write it out and stick to it. For example, week one you can work on name recognition in the presence of the cat. Week two you can teach your dog to target a training mat with two paws in presence of the cat. Week three you can teach your dog to relax in a down position on the training mat in the presence of the cat. Week four you can work on heel work in the presence of the cat. Focus on practical skills that can be generalized to any type of distraction. By committing to these short daily training sessions you will find that you'll be developing a better relationship with your dog. You will be counter-conditioning your dogs to the excitement that is typically generated by the cat. And you will have some awesome training that can carry over into other aspects of your dog's life. We can always set up a phone consultation or remote training sessions if you feel like you're spinning your wheels. My rates and services are on my website: htttp://www.legendsdogtraining.com just fill out the assessment form to set up a consult - Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
hi!!! I really hope you get this message, I would love to know how things worked out for you and your dog and cat!! I just adopted a dog and am in the same situation. Do they get along now?
Just adopted a puppy that gets overly exited with my 11 year old cat, at the beginning he was very calm around the cat, but then he started barking at the cat which makes him run and the dog chases after him, now the cat is very nervous and insecure around the dog which only complicates the training because as soon as he sees the dogs que runs and hides. I would love to know how everything turned out in your case.
@Menaka - I went thru this too last Spring .... One cat was calm and he did fair/okay ... The other cat was fearful which made the 40lb dog want to chase her ... I know foster-type people roll their eyes at me, but I couldn't handle the pressure by myself, so instead of my original intention of keeping the 1 year old short-term foster (for over a week), he was adopted by someone else ... HE.WAS.SO.AWESOME. I was sad. But too scared for my female cat ... I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I really responded to your honesty of your experience of "living two lives", and hope you were able to work it out : )
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for!! Thank you so much! I have a foster dog, who I want to keep, but I’ve been separating him from the cat bc he’s waaaay too interested. I will try this immediately! I bet it would also help to take the dog for a walk or tire them out before starting training so the dog is calmer.
Hey DaChipser! Let me know if you want any tips for customizing a training plan. I offer Skype consultations and sessions for difficult cases, yours sounds like it would fall into that category. Best, Alyssa Rose
Took my dog a whole day, and even when he forgets about her as soon as he sees her again he starts crying and acting a fool. He just wants to play but god idk how to help him chill out bc he won’t take treats he’s so anxious
DaChipser lol....sometimes you wish there was a laugh emoji on here....I am looking into doing this and think mine will be like you, lol....my dog has separation anxiety and is still just a little over a year old as well....she did have a week when I stayed with a friend where there was both a cat and a dog, so even though she wanted to chase the cat, the other dog kept her wore down to where eventually she didn’t even care so much when the cat was around. I however am possibly going to go stay for a bit soon with a friend who only has a cat, so I will have to really work with my dog....I do have to say that I am liking this approach a little better than other videos I have seen....I’ll let you know if we go stay there and how long it took my Winnie, lol
My dog cares about nothing more than the cat. He would do any trick on the planner for a cat but won’t settle and won’t motivate with anything over than kitty 😞 normally a pretty chill dog too and smart he knows lots of tricks but all brains out the window of a kitty is around
People who think pit bull are violent in nature just dont understand dogs. The behavior of the Dog is given by the master. even when the owner fails to be the master, it's the owner/master's fault. I have been looking at all these dog and cat training videos because someone got a cat early in a relationship and now does not have a house for her and her cat so she came back home and now we have to deal with training a old dog to a cat, and the hardest part for me is making that person understand that we are not in a Disney movie and it will take time and patience to train the dog to get used to a new animal, specially when we let out dog scare away small animals who might nest in our yard and destroy our garden
It’s hard to set expectations. People can go to either one of two extremes - believing that it’s hopeless ..ie. “This is just how my dog is” or wanting any over night fix.
My German shepherd was the first to chase the cat but she calmed down and was laying on my bed then the cat came and attacked her lmao. I’m getting a kitten so this video is very helpful, thank you!
As for the cat! It's all about your "conditioned emotional response" - routinely feeding the cat in the presence of the dog will help change her physiology over time. Will the cat ever be calm or curious enough to approach and sniff the dog? Hard to say. Depends on the temperament, genetics, early socialization and last (but not least) the consistency of your conditioning program. Thanks for watching my video!
Hey! Thanks for your kind words, really appreciate it. Let me know if you have any questions. If you want more guidance - check out my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that breaks down this process step by step so that it's easy to follow. Here is a direct link to the classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Hope this is helpful. Best, Alyssa Rose
Glad this was helpful! If you need anymore support in training I also offer online classes. The Mat Work class I teach would be the most beneficial for dogs that are hyper-excited with cats. This is the same foundation training that Ludo (from the video) had worked on prior to doing this training with the cat. That foundation is truly the key to success. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thank you so much for uploading this video. It does give me hope to keep training my dog. I am adopting a cat soon but am worried my dog won’t react well. He is an 11 year old intact beagle mix. (My dad refuses to have him neutered) despite that, my dog is very smart and picks up things quickly. I believe he will eventually get used to the cat’s presence, to the point where he will enjoy her company. He is laid back and relaxed most of the time. Never greets people by jumping on them, etc. Although he doesn’t like kids. I am planning to contact you if I do have trouble though. Thanks for the video!
With the right plan, anything is possible. The most important thing is to be safe and take it slooow. This will by far lead to the best possible results. I’m here if you need support. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that would be helpful for this. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hello all😃, well my daughter is moving in with me and my female 24 months old GSD. My daughter,5 yr old granddaughter and 😸. I have to socialize my dog with the cat and the 5 year old granddaughter, first is the cat just have big time anxiety but watching these videos is helping. This weekend is the start and man my stomach is in knots😥😨😳😱
Hi! Slow and steady wins the race. Be cautious and have management tools in place in advance. I like to have double barriers. For example, extra tall baby gate with vertical bars and a door, or two gates. Keep training sessions short and safe. Keep your dog on a harness and leash and the cat can be in a carrier. Avoid having the dog approach to sniff. While many times we’re curious to see what happens if they interact, a lot of times this results in the dog becoming more excitable and the car become more nervous or defensive. Similar recommendations for helping your dog become comfortable with your granddaughter, and vice versa. Keep me posted on how it goes and let me know if you need more help. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining thank you will do, my 5 year old granddaughter is a cat lover like her mom. I like both pets but prefer dog to walk and help me exercise. As a disabled veteran @100% my dog keeps me motivated. The sad thing is the granddaughters father is a jerk and got caught fooling around so my daughter is welcomed here always ❤ just big time anxiety ahead, thank you for the encouragement😊
This is very helpful, thank you. I have been doing something similar but not using food and I had the cat up high. My dog is at the point of the "leave it" command and usually responsive. I think I need to dedicate more time to this.
Food is a very powerful tool in training when used correctly, can help to condition a calm, relaxed response where a dog may otherwise become over-aroused. Thanks for watching!
Thank you, this was excellent. We adopted a young, highly excitable dog a year ago and would like to add a cat to our family. He has not done well around cats we have had in the house for a night or two (emergency rescue) so I really need to do the introductions right.
Your puppy was just overexcited to meet his new friend, patience is key with introducing any animal to the pack, my dog was raised with cats when he was a baby so he just walks up to them and licks them but kittens can freak out so I've decided to introduce my new kitten very slowly with the steps from your video. After the second day the kitten is less stressed and not too interested in the dogs barking or making noise, she is still a bit sketchy though, few more days and she should be cool with them and start to accept them as her family
Donovan Godfrey Thabks for watching and taking the time to comment. The same training steps can be applied to both dogs that are excited or cats that are nervous. Sounds like training is headed in the right direction. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again for watching. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Thank you so much! I hope this will work. My dog is the exact same as yours so hyper in any presence of an animal . My cat had traumatic experience with my aunties dog , since then she is petrified . My cat knows that the dog lives in the house now. Doesnt run away when he is barking at her when she is at the window in my room. But once he is in my room she goes all panic mode , she starts hissing and barely makes any movement, my sisters dog he gets all excited to see her and tries to smell her But once he is too close he gets scratched and then he gets in an defensive mode, his fur prickles up. And anytime he sees her , when she runs he chases after her. I didnt know at the time about using positive reinforcement in these situations so I always shouted at him when he chased her. Luckily we have an cat carrier , i will try your method and hope to God it works ! I will do this in the morning and afternoon when feeding time comes . Thank you so much!!!
Sugerlump 36 Thanks for watching and let me know how it goes! This is always effective if you ”set the stage” for learning to happen. A few considerations: 1. This is a process. Some dogs show dramatic improvement in a few weeks, some take a few months. All dogs (and cats) can make incredible progress if you’re committed to training. 2. Management is critical. Make sure you prevent accidental exposure in-between sessions. I recommend being safe and always having at least two barriers between dog and cat. Accidental exposure could set back training. 3. Sessions should be between 5-10 minutes in length. 4. The goal is not to have the cat and dog interact but to condition both to be calm and relaxed in each other’s presence. You’re also teaching the dog to think and become more responsive to you in high arousal situations. You never have to “test” it by having the two come in close proximity. If you need more help we can always set up a consult. Go to www.legendsdogtraining.com and fill out an assessment form and I’ll get back to you with available appointment times. Good luck! - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining of course I will keep the updates on the training with them! Also one question. Does the pets age matter to this type of training of helping them get along? I'm asking because my cat is nearly 6 years old and the dog is about a year and 3 months old .
Sugerlump 36 age can factor into the timeline. I would say that dogs between the ages of 1 and 3 are most receptive to learning new things or modifying behavioral responses. That being said, i frequently work with older dogs (10-12 years old) and see great progress in their training goals. It just takes more time and repetition. And since the end result is to improve communication and help animals better adapt to their surroundings - it’s always worth it. - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining hi there! An update on how the first part of training went today. It went better than I expected, he was at first very excited and tried to approach the carrier , he was whining and barking to get to the cat. I body blocked him from seeing the cat, he calmed down a bit and layed down. Praised him when he was doing the right behaviour I wanted . The video is a big help than you so much! I will keep you updated on further training !
Sugerlump 36 that’s great. I love that you mentioned the fact that you’re doing this at feeding time - it makes it easier to do routinely. A reminder to keep your dog on leash so that he can’t approach the carrier and make your cat more fearful. You can also place a little treat , like tuna, inside the carrier to promote calm, positive associations on the cats end too. Best, Alyssa Rose
We have two dogs inside the house, the other one does not attack the cat nor bother it if the other dog is not around. What we did when we brought in our kitten: 1. We seperated the dogs from the kitten we made sure to give the kitten her very own safe space, a room where dogs can’t get it. We started playing with the dogs then the kitten in their own seperate spaces to get the, used to each others smell, as much as we can. 2. We then gave the kitten a cloth our dogs use to let her get used to their scent. 3. The kitten started crying from her room and wanting to get out, so she started to wander around the room without the dog because we know that one of our dog is still too hyperactive regarding the kitten. 4. We have also reinforced training for 5 minutes in 3 sessions, morning, afternoon, evening night for the dog where we get her attention to us, to convey a message that paying attention to us rather than the kitten is a positive behavipur where, it means to leave the cat alone. 5. The training was working a bit 3 days into the training so we started Opening the door of the cat room but still putting a border so the kitten won’t be disturbed by the dog. The kitten started getting put of the room herself which where we thought she was getting more comfortable however one of our dogs still cannot leave the kitten alone where she follows the kitten and tries to carry it. The kitten would hiss then so we would seperate the two of them. We did not stop with the training at all. 4 days into the training our kitten started going to my dog herself and lets my dog lick her, (the dog who is always calm is out of the house for now, we try to train them seperate and we do not have much problem with the that dog because she’s calm and she doesn’t care much about the cat)., the kitten tried to go under our dog’s belly and my dog did not like that so she stood up and kept avoiding the kitten from going near her belly but she was not aggressive. Our dog started to be calm and quiet whenever the kitten was sleeping even if she was near her. 5 days into this relationship, my dog started to get uncomfortable withthe kitten because the kitten starting playing with her fur and trying to attack her in an attacking stance so the dog started showing her behaviour of hyperactivity again and we tried getting her attention. It was not succesful. The cat kept trying to play with our dog’s fur and biting my dog which may have been uncomfortable for my dog or thought of it as an invitation to play so our dog started following the cat once again and trying to play with her. The kitten has not hissed at all however she keeps slapping our dog when she goes near. We are trying to continue our training from step one but my dog started doing this…. 1 week(today) into the training … she goes to the kitten then to me and looking for treats, she would startbarking at me for me treats but I did not give her to not reinforce this behaviour, but she’s still doing it. However, I’ll be patient and see where it goes as this is only the first week. I still would like to know where it went wrong and what I should in these cases and what are the other things I should do or if i misunderstood something. Thank you Edit: it’s almost 2weeks and it seems that the kitten was only trying to play with my dog and my dog was not yet used to her actions so she just needed some time, they have started playing already and my dogs have stopped bothering the kitten too much which is very nice and a relief! I hope they become better friends and siblings as the kitten grows into an adult
Lol I needed this, my dog (small, black pomeranian) is a very hyper dog, shes friendly but also hyper so it comes off as aggressive but it's not shes just friendly, and this video helped a bit, now my cat doesn't run away but instead watches from a higher place, and seems to be getting closer everytime lol
@@legendsdogtraining oh yea, my cat doesn't run away at the sight of my pom anymore, he (the cat, named Gizmo) actually ate right next to her this morning! N well my dog didnt chase him off, so yea I think it's working pretty well
Thank you so much for this video, We just got a 1 year old great dane and he is lovely, but terrible around other animals, we accidentally came across another dog while on a walk and he pulled me right off my feet! And the poor cat :( she is an abandoned rescue and extremely social and affectionate, and now we have found out she is also extremely terrified of dogs. I'm so sad for her. She no longer gets the affection she loves because she is almost always in hiding :( I am going to get her a crate and work on these techniques. thank you
Hi! Thank you for watching. Let me know if you have any questions. It’s all about breaking down the process and working under conditions where your dog is able to focus and engage. Keep sessions short and make sure you have solid management strategies in between sessions so that the dog isn’t able to rehearse chasing and the cat isnt practicing fearful responses. I have a virtual “reactive dog” class starting this week that might be a good fit for your Great Dane. It takes place on Zoom. Here’s a link if you’re curious for more information: www.legendsdogtraining.com/virtual-classrooms/
I hope you encouraged Ludo's owners to get the dog fixed. There are too many homeless dogs, and the dogs that get put down the most are the larger dogs. But your advice on how to help the cat and the dog are very good. Thanks.
Jeff Davis Hi! Ludo had been adopted from the shelter shortly before this video was taken. He was neutered prior to leaving the shelter. The procedure can be performed in different ways. In this case, he had been neutered but his scrotum needed time to .. shrivel. :/ Neutering is becoming the subject of greater debate but there are so many dogs filling up the shelter and being euthanized because there just aren't enough good homes. Ludo was days away from being euthanized prior to his adoption. Thanks for watching my video, sorry it took me so long to respond. - Alyssa Rose
James Sorgi the conversation is about keeping animals neutered/spayed because too many animals are being born and then killed in shelters. Neutering and spaying early can also reduce cancer risk. If the topic touched a nerve with you, I think that's a you problem. :)
@@NH-yn3re yes neutering will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer bcuz he will have no balls lmao such amazing logic and its rare for a pet to even get testicular cancer unless u are showering the animal in GMO poisons. People just need to take responsibility n train/supervise their dogs around other dogs.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! My dog is JUST like Ludo, which is great because in all other videos I’ve watched they used an already calm dog or one that’s so small it wouldn’t hurt the cat. We'll be getting a preferably young kitty in the summer, and I think my dog will behave in almost exactly the same way Ludo did. Hopefully this will work 😬🤷🏽♀️
Would you mind giving more details on how you transitioned from the cat in a carrier to having the cat move around on its own? Our pup started out like Ludo here, and we’ve gotten to the point where he is calm while the cat is still in a carrier or being held. However, the few times we’ve let the cat roam around on its own, our dog goes back into “chase mode” and lunges towards the cat. I’d like some tips on how to make that transition! Thanks for the video!
Hi Victor! Systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning is a long process, when done properly it is no longer about the food, the food is a tool to change the dog's physiological response to the cat. The goal is to lower the dog's arousal level sufficiently that the dog will yield to the cat. Prong collars are tricky. I personally don't recommend them to clients in order to counter-act predatory impulses because *if used incorrectly the collar could effectively fuel the dog's prey drive.
Great video! Your technique is basically confirming that what we're doing is right. Got a 12 week old kitten about 1,5 week ago and she's very curious but a bit fast at reacting triggered (hissing and getting tense) if the dog (white swiss shepherd) gets too close. The thing is that our dog from earlier encounters with cats has understood that she should stay away from them. Up until now she's been good at staying away from cats and have had a great respect around them (even when beeing unleashed around them). She's been frigtened by them a couple of times, and whines a little when they're close but walks away from them by choice. So we thought that getting a kitten wouldn't be a problem. But when we got the kitten it kind of turned. Maybe it has to do with the fact that a cat came into her home and not the other way around. We did try in the beginning to let them greet each other (with her on a leash) and the cat freely on the floor (free to hide behind the couch if she wanted to), just to see how they reacted. We just didn't expect the kitten to be so brave that she dared to jump toward the dog and hiss. All of a sudden the dog reacted as if the kitten attacked her and jumped after the cat while growling. Then we realised that it wouldn't be as simple as we had expected. Ever since our dog was little we have trained with positive reinforcement (taking classes and continued this type of every day training), calmness and such. She's 2 years old soon. So she usually listens to us very nicely and it hasn't been that hard to redirect her focus when she focuses on things that gets her excited. I would say that she easily fits into the group of dogs that gets "hyper-excited" about certain things. Loves play and treats and is very social with other dogs and humans. Seems like she just has a very hard time overcoming that the cat isn't behaving like a dog. I can see how this is just one of those things that we need to overcome with a lot of calmness training and redirecting focus in the presence of the cat. But I just can't help wondering how long it will take, and if they will ever be able to be around each other without jumping at each other. The cat it getting more and more playful day by day (I guess this is just the worst "playful kitten phase" we have to get through), so training with keeping the cat calm is difficult. The dog is doing amazing...up until the cat makes a move that triggers her to react. I', not sure what kind of help I'm looking for (since I feel that we are doing your type of training already) , or if I just need some comforting words that it will get better xD
@@legendsdogtraining They're best friends now :) It took about 4 weeks of slow introduction and a lot of treats. Check them out on my dog's instagram @whiteswiss.arwen
We are about to undertake the same thing with our rescue german shepherd puppy. She is about 6 months and is trying anything she can to get at the cat. She is not acting aggressively, just extremely focused on seeing what the cat is. We just picked up a dog crate to help with house-training as well as allowing the cats to venture out and control the situation some.
Why would you put your cat in such a dangerous situation? I don't understand it, i would never allow a bigger dog in our house, i love my cat, and that dog can snap at anytime if left uncheked for a while.
@@woomicky The cat is not in any danger, we would not do that to our cats. They were getting introduced in the proper fashion with a leash on the dog or a barrier up to allow the cats to leave if they want to. We would not leave the dog alone with the cats like that. Unfortunately, the pup did not work out as our little old schnauzer didn't want any part of her and it wasn't fair for the new pup to not be able to play without our old girl showing teeth and trying to biter her....sigh
@starwarsfanforlife I'm sorry to hear that didn't work out! Thanks for watching my video, and apologies for not responding sooner. Let me know if you ever have any training or behavior questions in the future. Best, Alyssa Rose
Real difficulties begin when the cat is as excited to see the dog than the dog is to see the cat... I need to train both of them to be calm around each other, and find a way for them not to see each other in between training sessions... 😵🙈 Anyway, thanks for the video. It confirmed what I already knew : one step at a time, we'll get there. I just need to start training... 😅
Thank you. My sweet son died suddenly. He left behind his senior cat. We were able to find - what we thought was a good home for her - nine months later, I got a phone call saying it isn't working out. The cat "attacked her dog". My little senior dog doesn't get along with cats but I'm left with no choice right now. I hate to put my dog in this situation. I'm hoping he can relax with the cat. Vise versa. I don't want her given to just anyone! She was my son's friend! So I'm picking her up tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. Your video gives me some hope that I won't have to re-home her again. A shelter is NOT AN OPTION! Any other suggestions to get them okay together will be much appreciated.
Hi Kerry, I'm so sorry to hear about your son. The right management is just as important as the training. Having a double barrier is a great idea. This could be a solid door, as well as, an extra tall baby gate that swings on a hinge. Although cats are able to jump gates, sometimes this can still help to encourage the dog and the cat to maintain space from each other. The gate can also be used for training/ bonding activities. For example you could place a mats on either side of the gate and hand feeds treats. If the dog and the cat are accustomed to eating on a feeding schedule - you can also incorporate breakfast or dinner into this routine. The reason this is so effective is because it lowers stress and creates calm, positive associations with one another. This works just as well for cats that have aggressive tendencies, as it does for dogs. I lost my mom a few years ago and we adopted her senior dog that had anxiety and aggression issues. I know how important it is to make this integration work. Wishing you the best in your efforts. Alyssa Rose
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to send these kind words. Really appreciate it. Let me know if you have questions or want more guidance! - Alyssa Rose
Thank you for posting this. I got new puppy 6 months ago and we were making positive progress with my cat who is extremely scared of dogs that chase/bark at him. They were able to be on the same bed together (in my presence) and would take treats sitting near one another, but now after 1 bad encounter (cat swatted the puppy), all my puppy does is chase and bark and all progress between the 2 was lost. Guess I have to basically just start over like this video suggests and desensitize my pup.
Let me know if you need any more support in training. I have a class starting in a few weeks that is well suited to helping dogs learn to be calm with the resident cat. If this is of interest to you - go to the Calm Connections class on my website www.legendsdogtraining.com you’ll find it listed under the online classes tab.
So, my dog is the same breed as Ludo (based in appearance) and also struggles with cats. Mine seems much more excited and hyper around cats. She doesn’t growl or bark aggressively at them… but she cries and whines excessively while trying to get to them… she would have bulldozed past me unlike Ludo did to you lol would this same technique work for her? Or is she beyond this?
THANK YOU! my dog is 1 year old and we've had our cats first,they ran away when she was a puppy so its our fault they aren't socialized right, but this video looks good and its worth a shot. Please any tips we have 2 cats and a 1 year old American bully
Hey! Thanks for watching. How is the training going? A key part to the training is building a solid foundation first. The dog in the video had about 3 weeks of foundation work before training with the cat. If your curious to learn more about the training you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com The Mat Work class listed on the "online classes" tab is the training that Ludo (the pit in this video) received prior to training with the cat. Thanks again for watching. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey! A few tips! 1. Management and training go together like peanut butter and jelly. The more your doxie practices “crazy out of control” behavior the more habitual it becomes, the harder it is to un-Train. In fact I usually recommend 2 barriers between the dog and cat at any given time. Like a door and a baby gate. 2. Training is a process, but if you’re committed - the sky is the limit. 3. Keep sessions short and sweet (5 minutes in length). This video provides an example of how to set that up with dog on harness and leash. 4. Good training works off of a solid foundation. If you want more guidance and support register for my newsletter at www.legendsdogtraining.com I’ll be sending out information about an online course that will show you step by step what that foundation looks like. It’s simple, fun and might bring a little more peace and harmony to your home. Thanks for watching and writing in. Best, Alyssa Rose
I just got a kitten to. Every time we try showing her it she gets really excited. Then when she seems calm if I show her the kitten again she starts chattering her jaw and drooling.
Hey, how is everything going? If you're still seeing issues - I have an online class that might help. The class focuses on calming exercises on a training mat. Chattering and drooling are signs of high arousal or high stress. Here's my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com the class is called "Calm Connections." Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for this video. I just adopted a jrt mix who has no interest in any cats (outside or at the vet, etc) other than the two cats I already have. One cat is a hider, the other doesn't care. I have them in a room with a baby gate and highly monitored. He will go look at the cats and then can be called away or walks away on his own. He came to us only knowing his name, so he is in learning mode for everything. He is very smart and very obedient otherwise, so I think with patience, I can get him to ignore my cats like he ignores all other small animals out doors.
Thanks so much! Just got a new dog and he's over excited about everything and so my cat quickly put up his defenses! this is the first he's done this to a dog so I got a little worried.
i have a german shepherd who has a high pray drive and hes rlly strong and nothings working he just wont stay calm when it comes to the cats he gets so excited
Hey, Apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Have you made any progress? Let me know if you need additional support in training. Best, Alyssa Rose
Karl Kaseoru hi Karl! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. The first session was longer, because it took a little bit of time to get Ludo settled into training but generally I recommend that my clients do 5-10 minutes a day. Every dog progresses at their own rate depending on the intensity of the problem behavior, and the consistency of following training protocol. Good management is critical in between training sessions. If you’re interested, I have a new online course about behavior modification. If you want to check out go to basetrainingmethod.com thanks again for watching! Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Hey Karl! Just wanted to check in and see how your dog and cat are doing. I’m going to be doing a Q and A about “Dog and Cat Socialization” at 11:30am pacific time on Base Training Method FB page. 5/1/2019 m.facebook.com/basetrainingmethod/ Come by and check it out if you have any questions.
I just got My dog. He’s a sweetheart but he’s a pit/American bulldog mix (we think at least lol). He has the same tense reaction to cats. I can tell hes just excited but everybody says he wants to eat them because of his breed :(. Hoping this video helps me break some bad habits
Can a 5 month old pitbull be trained to get along with my 4 cats? We are thinking of getting this puppy. He seems well socialized to others and other dogs but has never been around cats.
Hi Naomi! It’s definitely possible. If you decide to move forward I would be strategic about the introduction. Five month old puppies are typically curious and excitable. I would have separate areas to make sure the puppy doesn’t have a chance to practice chasing. On top of that I would spend 10 minutes each day doing training exercises where the puppy is reinforced with high value food for standing, sitting or lying down on a “station” (like a dog bed, or training mat). Regardless of breed I would expect there to be a good amount of management until the dog is 1.5 years old. There’s lots of variability though, the temperament of the dog, the cats and the consistency of management and training. Let me know if you end up adopting the puppy. Would love to hear how it goes! Best, Alyssa Rose
Hello, and thanks for the video! I just got a 9 month old Border collie/hound mix from our local shelter, and we are having this problem. How we did it was we had him go around the house on a leash to explore. The first interaction was while he was still on the leash, and they have been close enough to each other for them to touch noses. I think my cat tries to be nice by doing the little rub thing they do against him, but he gets excited very quickly and starts jumping and barking at her. We try to tell him "no" and hold him back when he does this and say good boy when he stays a little calmer, but like I said it really doesn't take long for him to get too excited, and for the cat to run off (which naturally causes the dog to chase her) and or swat and hiss at him. I'd rather not have to put the cat in a crate, because they are used to free range of the house (we have three others, lucky me...), and I don't want them to feel jealous or like we are replacing them. They use tables and furniture to look at him from a safe distance, but they still swat if he's too close and hyper. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Christen Duerring hey! A few tips... 1. Management. Make sure that you have a really solid management plan. Training is going to be most effective if the dog isn’t practicing hyper-excited behavior in between training sessions. I like to use a combination of baby gates, and harnesses and leashes. If one fails you have a back up. 2. Your training sessions should be 5-10 minutes in length and can be done 3x’s per week. 3. The focus in training is teaching your dog to watch the cats from a safe distance (kinda like what the cats are doing naturally). 4. Work on foundation training every day using positive reinforcement methods to improve your dog’s engagement, focus and communication skills. I have an online course that goes over the foundation “mat work” I think is most helpful. To learn more you can go to basetrainingmethod.com let me know if you have questions! Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
@@legendsdogtraining Thank you for the tips! So we shouldn't do a play session or long walk in between the times we will train? Just trying to clarify!
Hey! Thanks for that question! I realized that wasn’t clear. I meant practicing hyper-excited behavior in response to the cats or hyper-excited behavior in the presence of the cats. Play and walks are great. 👍🏻
This is so helpful and excited to start implementing- my concern is I have 4 dogs. 3 of which are pretty much exactly like the dog in this video. I am just not sure how to start. Clearly do this all individually but how once I get to the point do I then start trying it with 2 dogs at once, 3, etc..
I have a anxious and not very well socialized German Shepard around 6 or 7 year old. He is pumped full of energy, and I would love to adopt an adult cat. Would you recommend this is would it be a bad mix?
Hi Katie! I would make sure that have a solid foundation in behavioral training first. There’s always room for growth when we have strong training platform to work from. I would recommend mat work training that focuses on relaxation exercises. If you are interested I have an online course that teaches this. It’s called “calm connections.” If you want to learn more about the class, go here: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/best, Alyssa
I just adopted a staffy from a rescue group. They said he was good with dogs, cats and kids. He just wants to chase my cats but he has an intense stare and holds his place if we told him then releases like a rubber band the moment we let him. How would we move forward with this?
EmeryMossJr hi! Congratulations on your new adoption. The first thing you need to do is come up with a solid management system. It might take time for the dog and cat to integrate (sometimes a couple weeks, sometimes a couple months), during this initial time you want to minimize the amount that your staffy practices hyper-active behavior with the cat and the cat practices fearful or defensive behavior with dog. Solid baby gates are a game changer (avoid ones that are easily knocked over). The second step is to break the training down into 5 minute increments once or twice a day. At minimum, I would have dog eating breakfast or dinner in the presence of cat. If cat is on a feeding schedule they can both eat at the same time. This will help to develop calm, positive associations. Don’t take chances. The dog should always be on a secure harness and leash when you do training sessions and separated with sturdy gate and visual barrier when not training. The more structured you are, the better the results. Keep me posted on how it’s going and if you ever feel stuck you can schedule a consultation with me by going to www.legendsdogtraining.com best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks so much for the reply. I had an idea of what we were going to do, but I wanted to make sure we were doing it right. Our collie and heeler were always easy to train, if a bit stubborn, but this guy is different. He might have hearing issues as well, but is responsive to hand signals.
Hi my name is cassandra I just adopted a 3 year old lab but I have a dog that he get along well with right now but my cat and him are not in a good start. WIll this help with his energy and teach him to get better along with my cat better?
Hi Cassandra! Thanks for watching my video and taking the time to write in. Yes! This will help to build calm behavior in the presence of your cat, and set the stage for a healthy relationship between the two of them. Here are a few more tips to move you in the right direction: 1.It's a process! Don't get discouraged if you're not seeing a quick turn around in a few days or a couple of weeks. We are usually tracking progress over several weeks or months. 2. Create a super solid management plan. When you are not training you need to make sure that your dog is not rehearsing unwanted/ excitable behaviors. It's worth the investment to create a "double barrier set up" where there are always two barriers (ie. two extra tall baby gates, or one extra tall baby gate and a door) between your dog and cat at any time. Not only will this help to establish a calmer baseline throughout the day, but it will also ensure that if one barrier fails - there's always a back up! 3. Always, always, always maintain space. Your cat needs to trust that you have his/ her best intentions in mind. Don't lead your dog up to your cat even if if that cat is inside a carrier. Train, don't test! Always keep your dog on harness and leash during your training sessions and maintain a respectful distance. Otherwise your cat can develop deeper fear issues, and will lose trust. If you want more help or guidance you can always check out my online classes at legendsdogtraining.com. My "Mat Work class" would be the best starting point to create a calm, relaxed baseline and clear pathways of communication. You can start at anytime and you would also have the ability to connect with me each week to ask questions and talk through the training. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Hey, I apologize for the delayed response. It's difficult to give a timeline because the length of time needed in training depends on 1. How good is your management plan? We want to make sure that the dog is not routinely given opportunities to practice hyper behavior with cat. A weak management plan can prolong the training. 2. How consistent is the training? I usually aim for 2-3 short sessions each day. When I say "short" I mean that the sessions should be about 5 minutes in length. 3. How old is the dog? Training is possible (and worth it) at any age, but younger dogs will generally pick things up a little faster. Older dogs, who may have a longer history of practicing undesirable behavior, will need more time. 4. How intense is the behavior? Some dogs are triggered by the sight or sound of the cat, and will go from 0 to 60 in a micro second. Other dogs are calm with the cat unless the cat moves, jumps or meows. Everything else being equal - I would assume that the training will take longer if the behavioral response is more intense. 5. How motivated is the dog? If a dog is being free fed, they probably will be less interested in food. A dog that is fed on a schedule, and has a healthy appetite will be more motivated in training. Motivation will influence the timeline as well. Generally speaking, with mild cases of hyper-activity with the cat - we are usually looking at 3-6 weeks of training. If the behavior is more intense, or if it has been practiced for a longer period of time - I would expect it to take a few months, at least. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for this video. When I originally got my dog(standard American Eskimo)I had an older cat and introducing them wasn't a problem. Belle barked n Nesta hissed and swatted at her once, they were totally fine. 2yrs ago Nesta passed away at 18yrs old. Belle is now 4 and I just got 2 kittens a week ago. Introducing them has been a slow process and she keeps barking at them, especially if they wrestle, or worse I hold one. I've put the kittens into a large dog crate for an hour or so the last few days so Belle can see n hear them in the main room while we act like it's no big deal. At this point I don't feel safe with them and the dog running freely. If you happen to read this I would appreciate any advice because I didn't think getting a cat would cause such issues with the dog. Oh one of the kitties smacked Belle through the carrier on day one but it didn't stop the nonstop barking at all.
Hi Denisia, I'm sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. Have things improved with the kittens? A big part of successful behavioral training (training for stress or over-arousal) is having a solid foundation. The dog in the video did about 3 weeks of Mat Work training. If you are interested in learning more about this you can go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com you'll find Mat Work listed among the online classes. Best wishes to you. - Alyssa Rose
Hi! How is it going with the training? other things to consider are 1. Management - make sure dog doesn’t have opportunity to chase the cat in between training. Good idea to set up a double barrier (like two gates or one gate and a closed door) to minimize visuals and sounds (like meowing) that could trigger excitement in your dog. 2. Training conditions need to be set up with success in mind. Create controlled conditions that gives your dog as much space as he/she needs to be focused and engaged in your training session. 3. Be patient! It’s a process. Changes usually don’t happen overnight. If you want more support and guidance through this training I have a virtual classroom through the Humane Society for reactive dogs. This is a good fit for dogs that bark, chase or fixate on the resident cat. It’s also good for dogs that bark and lunge on leash or that are sound sensitive. It’s one hour in length, meets once a week, for six weeks. If you are interested in more information or want to sign up you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
+Maria Tomlin Thanks for watching! No such thing as a dog with zero food motivation, otherwise the dog wouldn't be alive. First order of business is to get the dog on a healthy schedule. Don't leave food out, this de-values food. Measure the food to make sure that the dog is not being over-fed. I use high value, nutritious, meaty food for training. I never put this in their dog food bowl. Start training in a low stress, low distraction environment. Teach your dog the love of learning in a simple environment, like your living room, and then slowly add in distractions. A high level of stress or arousal can suppress a dog's appetite. If your dog still shows little to no interest in food you might want to consult a veterinarian as suppressed appetite could be linked to medical issues or chronic stress. Hope this is helpful. Thanks again for watching. - Alyssa
Hi Stephen! Your job will be much easier if you raise and socialize both when they are young OR if you choose adults that already have the necessary social skills. Critical socialization period is between 6 weeks and 16 weeks of age. The exposure that they receive at this time will set the stage for how they behave as adults. A lack of exposure to cats will lead to fear, predatory behavior or hyper-excitement on the dog's part. And fear or aggression on the cat's part.
I have 2 ,127lbs German shearers that are 5”3 when standing . They are big dogs that hate cats they chase them off our backyards all the time in a sprinting hunting manner . I’m a little scared that they can gang up on my future cat ,but I’m hoping for the best this video helps .They react like ludo did sometimes just to dogs but they warm up to them eventually. The cat I’m getting is older and is friendly with dogs so I’m hoping they can co exist
Usually it makes the most sense to use a combination of baby gates, exercise pens and closed doors. The dog has one area of the house, the cat has the other. The best management involves double barriers, just in case one barrier fails (baby gate gets knocked over, or door is left open) there is a second barrier maintaining the peace and preventing unwanted behaviors from being rehearsed. Double barriers are also a good idea because it helps keep the dog and cat calmer on a physiological level - you can use a baby gate and a closed door to create space, create a visual barrier and muffle sounds that may otherwise become trigger points. The training takes time, but if you are consistent in management and training (both are equally important) - you'll see progress. Hope this is helpful. If you ever feel you need additional help you can join one of my classes. Here is a link if you would like to learn more: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
How’s it going? Let me know if you need more support in training. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that provide a step by step in implementing relaxation training. Best, Alyssa Rose
We have adopted two small dogs for the past 3 years, and both of them are very sensitive. They chase all sorts of things in the backyard, like squirrels or mice. We managed to introduce one dog to another, but I was wondering, since we were thinking of adopting a kitten. Will my dogs' aggressive behavior scare the kitten? Is there a specific type of kitten we should adopt? Also, my dogs do not respond that much to verbal commands, and are super energetic when we bring out treats. Any advice helps, Alyssa Rose!
Hey! If you adopt kittens you will want to go into it with a solid plan! Here’s an overview of what i would do: 1. Management. I usually use double barriers. One would be a tall, walk thru gate that swing on a hinge. The other could be a closed door. This will prevent your dog from practicing hyper-excited behavior with the kittens. 2. Feeding schedule. Dogs and even kittens should be on a feeding schedule. I would feed them in the same room, each day during meal time. Have dogs in harness and leash, and keep a safe distance and feed them in a dog bed. Focus more on conditioning, over verbal cues. This means that I’m not concerned if the dog isn’t able to respond to cues initially I just want to see that their bodies are relaxing and their focus on me is increasing. 3. After each of these sessions I would take the dogs outside for a calm walk, or sit with them in the garden or for a walk. Something that will help them refocus onto something else, preferably something that is calming. I usually see progress in 3-6 weeks. You might also co spider doing more training before the kittens come home to set the stage for success. I don’t know if this is something that would interest you but I have online classes by zoom. They meet once a week, for one week and run for six weeks. Here’s a link if you want to check it out: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/ The class called “calm connections” could be a good starting point as it focused on calming exercises on a training mat, “reactive dog” class would be another good option. Let me know if you have questions. - Alyssa Rose
Thank you for the video! I have a 9 month old Whippet and now a new red (known to be „braver“ then other) kitten. He is very couragous and curious. The problem is that my whippet stays pretty calm and can even look at me while the cat sits in the same room but when they are to close my pupper gets to excited, the cat scratches and spits this leads to him (the dog) being kinda offended and defensive (maybe?) and barks at him in a very excited anxious way... I am going to try your method for sure!!!
Let me know how it goes. I would keep your dog on harness and leash. You will never go wrong by being cautious and taking things slow. In fact, this will usually lead to better results. If you need more help I have an online class that would facilitate the training by creating a stronger foundation and providing more structure and consistency. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com
I wish I had seen this years ago. I have a 4 year old(?) female blue nose pit and a 10(?) year old male tabby. The cat was here first. When I got my dog, there were no problems because the cat basically vacated. Now he wants his house back. The pit basically ignores cats, unless the cats bolt. I work with my dog, but should I be placing more emphasis on working with my cat?
+Zen Bastard Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It's never too late to start training. I would be working on calming exercises with both the dog and the cat. Feeding time is a great opportunity to fortify calm behavior in one and other's presence. If you want more customized advice we can schedule a skype or phone consultation, fill out this assessment form: www.legendsdogtraining.com/assessment-form.html The consultation is one hour in length, costs $90 and includes a write out of training and management recommendations. - Alyssa Lapinel, CPDT-KA http:www.legendsdogtraining.com
I am going through the process and I used both positive and a prong collar to correct the aggressive behavior from my dog. I tried to use the positive reinforcement method but my dog is smart enough to know that I don't have treat around. More seriously, my dog has a high prey drive to begin with so he would go for running bike, child, squirrel, etc. After two months of positive & prong correction, he knows that the cat is the alpha in the house and behaves nicely to the cat with my existence.
how many times a day should you practice this our dog is reactive but gets super excited when she sees the cat and screams and barks they've met face to face the cat stands his ground and isn't afraid and will hiss to give her warnings if she jumps a lot.
Hey! How is the training going? I would practice this once or twice a day. Each session should be 5 minutes (max 10). The more gradual you are at integrating them, the better the result. Your dogs ability to engage in training in the presence of the cat is the indicator you are looking for that you are creating a constructive training session. Food should not be the only thing holding back a reaction. Meaning, if you stop giving food and your dog reverts back to excited behaviors - jumping, barking - this is a sign that you should make your training set up easier. Let me know if you need more support. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thanks for the video. I'm fostering a black mouth cur that's about 2 yrs old. We adopted him out as a puppy. Fast forward 2 years....He was found as a stray & the owners wouldn't reclaim him, so he's back at our rescue. He's showing aggression. He's lunging at the dog crate i put a cat in. He's hyper focused. After working with him all day, I'm able to get him to break his stare & look at me. I've started teaching "place" "stay" "come" & he's doing really well. But I'm thinking about getting him a muzzle because I don't know if I can train that IMPULSE out of him. He bites at the cats, runs around the crate & growls. NOW I of course stop the behavior before it escalates. This breed is known as the "cat-killer" I can't imagine his owners allowing him to hurt small animals & it's a relief to know he was born in rescue, so we kind of know his history. It's just really scary how he immediately decided he wanted to bite the cats. I'm hoping getting a solid stay & leave it will help him to cohabitate BUT am I right to get him muzzle trained before he meets cats no matter how good i get his obedience?
Hey! Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner. I know that my advice might be difficult to implement in a rescue setting but I'm going to put this here in case it's helpful to you or anyone else that might be reading this thread. I would keep the dog in a harness and leash and try to set up training sessions that keeps the dog at a distance that allows them to calmly engage in training. That's the criteria. If the dog is able to see the cat and check-in, settle on a mat, come to my side - I know the set up is good. This could mean that the cat is positioned 25 feet away. If the dog is hyper fixated on the cat, barking or lunging - I know I need to give the dog more space. This is important for the dog, it's also important for the cat. We create short (5-10 minute) training sessions that have a high probability of setting the dog up to practice calm behaviors. These short, successful sessions build on themselves. This also ensures that we're not causing unnecessary stress for the cat. Slow and methodical training leads to lasting and reliable results. I do use safety measures like the harness and leash and the carrier. If the training occurs inside a home it can also be helpful to use baby gates and exercise pens to create an additional buffer and to act as a back up if another safety measure fails (ie. the leash breaks). Redundancy is key to keep everyone safe. I prefer harnesses, leashes, baby gates, exercise pens. That being said, I'm cautious about using muzzles in this training scenario. This is for two reasons. 1. Muzzles can lead people to dismiss behaviors that indicate that the dog is at their threshold or over-threshold. Flooding the dog in this way would be counter productive in training. 2. They can also create stress and frustration that could adversely effect the training. The dog can "trigger stack" the dog that could be counter-productive. Muzzles have their place, and I support the "muzzle up movement," and the idea of changing public perception. That being said, I do think there is something to gain from conditioning dogs to a muzzle. If I am working with a dog that is sensitive to handling/ restraint I will condition the dog to the muzzle as I work on exercises to help the dog through their sensitivity to being touched. The muzzle can be very valuable in this case if the training hasn't had enough time to catch up to the physical care needs of the dog, specifically regarding vet visits or grooming. If you have adopters that would like more support or guidance in training, they can always train with me through my online classes. Behavior modification requires time. Each class is six weeks in length and can be done individually or the training can be done as a series. If the training is done as a series it would coach people through a six month training program. It's an effective, educational and affordable approach to behavior modification. If this is something that might help your rescue, you can learn more by going to this link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
Great video. Is it ok to make your dog sit when they get excited to see a cat. I read somewhere it's bad cos it makes the dog feel like a sitting duck however no matter how hyped my dog gets she has no problem sitting as soon as I command her to but I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing even though it works. So instead I leave her standing which keeps up the hyped reaction.
Lisa M this is a really great question. This really depends on whether your goal is to manage behavior in the moment, or to train your dog to be calmer in the long term. Telling a dog to sit when they’re hyper-excited can be like holding a cover on a boiling pot of water. It usually temporarily contains the excitement, but eventually that excitement is going to boil over. When it comes to training dogs to be calmer with any type of distraction /trigger I usually start off by creating strong reinforcement histories for checking in with me while the dog is standing, sitting or lying down. When I start working with real world challenges i reinforce for check-ins and let the dog choose whether they want to stand, sit or settle into a down. If they are too excited to offer behaviors I take this as an indication that criteria and conditions need to be simplified. Progress is certain because training is based on a feedback loop. Thanks again for your question. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks for your reply. By "check ins" I take it you mean getting her to look at me and not the cat and then rewarding that? "A lid on a boiling pot of water" is the most accurate description Ive ever heard of my dog. 🤣🤣
I have a 11 month old pitbull/husky and a year old cat , my cat sees my dog and automatically becomes a sponge , my dog sees my cat and he starts whining and shaking from his mouth , I’ve tried to give them few minutes of exposure so they get used to it but if my dog were to be free he would attack the cat , help!!!!
D'Angelo Gianni hi, the first step here is a solid management plan. I like to use extra tall, vertical baby gates to keep dogs and cats separated. The goal is to keep your cat safe, but also to make sure that your dog doesn’t have the opportunity to practicing chasing the cat. The more opportunities your dog has to do this, the more of a habit it will become. This means training will take longer without good management. The second step is to begin daily training. 1-2 sessions each day that will be about 5-10 minutes in length. Your dog will be on harness and leash and you will be feeding your dog’s breakfast or dinner during this time. If your cat is on a feeding schedule (which is a good idea!) you can feed your cat during this time too. This will be a process. It might be a couple weeks or a couple months. Be patient. If you need more support, you can go to www.legendsdogtraining.com to set up s consult by phone or Skype. Best, Alyssa Rose
Ok that is great, but my dog is not the issue. My cat is going after the new dog. How do you train a cat to not be afraid of the dog? I’ve tried all the slow integration techniques, as soon as their loose in the same room together, the cat goes after the dog.
Apologies for the slow response. Have you seen any improvement over the last month? The training protocol works both ways. The goal is to build calm, positive associations with your dog. To achieve this you need to take the slow and steady path. Lots of controlled exposures where your cat feels safe. I usually start off with a cat carrier on the opposite side of a baby gate (to help the cat feel protected) and eventually build up to having the cat on harness and leash. This is to prevent the cat from fight/ flight behaviors, while still creating a set up that helps the cat feel calm/ safe and prevent the dog from over-stepping the cat's comfort zone. There's lot of creative ways to make this happen, but crates, baby gates, harnesses and leash are going to be necessary tools in the process. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
yeah but what if the cats been already introduced she seems to always back away from the dog and the doggo isnt even that much larger than my cat the dog is quiet and calm so i dont really understand what her issue is. not to mention its the same thing around people too
We have a difficult situation. We adopted a 2yr ood female GSD a month ago who had had a bad life up until then. She had been taken as a puppy to a big factory to be a guard dog. It hadn't worked out and she was being bullied and attacked by the other dogs (she has the scars to prove it) The manager eventually felt sorry for her and found us to adopt her. She is very nervous and defensive with our other dogs, but sweet and loving with people. She also learnt the house rules within a week. Now the problem... A week ago my son brought 2 6wk kittens home. They have been kept in a separate room and she is guarding the door 24/7. We tried to today to introduce one of the kittens and it didn't go well - she attacked. So here I am looking for answers. My previous GSD adopted the last kitten and they played every day, so I have no experience in this situation.
Hi Greg, Thanks for watching and reaching out. Right now I would focus on creating a calm, safe environment for your dog and for your two kittens. Double barriers, for example, two extra tall baby gates, or an extra tall baby gate and a solid door. It's better to have a gate that swings on a hinge, than one that you have to step over and could accidentally be knocked out of place. Progress is possible, but it's not going to be an overnight process, so make that you have all the necessary safeguards in place. Next, you are going to want to begin to lay down a good foundation, one that promotes trust and communication. This is the bedrock on which all good behavioral training is built. I would start by focusing on relaxation exercises on a training mat. My training programs were initially influenced by Karen Overall's relaxation protocol whose training helps dogs regulate stress and arousal. If you have any interest in training with me, here is a link to my training classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ I have a new class starting this week. Best, Alyssa Rose
Let me know if you need any additional support in training. I have online classes starting that go through foundation exercises that are essential for behavior modification. The class that I recommend for integrating dogs and cats is called "Calm Connections." If you're curious to learn more, here's a link to those classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/ Feel free to reach out with questions. Best, Alyssa
I just got a cat and there is also a pitt in the house (who is mostly well trained and does his best to be a people pleaser). Cat has been with other dogs before and is pretty laid back. He's only moderately suspicious of the dog in my house. Hasn't hissed or spit since the first night. The dog however is a 2 year old pitt, not neutered, has tons of energy. He is REALLY trying his best to ignore the cat while I've been working with him, but I don't want to overwhelm him. How much time a day do you recommend I try with this training process? I've only had the cat for 3 days so I've only done 10-15 minutes a day. I want to be successful! (Success = dog recognized cat is not a giant squeak toy). As of now, dog can sit, lay down and roll on his side with the cat being a few feet away- but he cries and yawns while doing it and sneaks glances at the cat.
@Tabitha Hilliard - Sorry for the delay in responding. How is the process going? I recommend keeping sessions short. Ten minutes twice a day is ideal. Key to success is patience, and setting the dog and cat up so that it is relatively easy for them both to be calm and successful in each training session.
ok so i rescued a kitten, she’s 14 weeks old now, i’ve had my GSD for 4 years, he’s my literal baby🤣 he has a high prey drive (chases squirrels and birds etc) but with my kitten he whines loudly when i’m playing with her or when she’s running around, but he wags his tail steadily in a mid position, and will go in a play bow when she runs up to him at the baby gate. he also does lip licks around her. when she’s stuck her paws thru he’s tried to grab them with his mouth, so i’m wondering if he’s being aggressive or if he’s curious as to what she is and wants to play? he’s never growled at her or gone completely stiff, he’ll stare her down and whine/wag his tail but i can’t tell if he wants to attack her or play. she wants to play with him i can tell definitely. i’ve kept her in a separate room and worked on intros for 2 months now. also have recently done intros while she’s free roaming and i have his muzzle on him and he’s leashed in a place next to me, they’ve touched noses and nothing happened (with and without muzzle)
Hi! My name is Alyssa Rose, I created this video. The key thing here is that he isn't over-excited by the kitten. Even if he's not aggressive, he could still unintentionally hurt the kitten if he's not able to think through his excitement. My recommendation would be to focus on relaxation training. This is training that focuses on conditioning a calm physiological response. This is what we did with Ludo (the dog in the video) n the first 3 weeks of training, before introducing him to the cat. You can look at Karen Overall's relaxation protocol. I also teach a variation of this in online classes. If you are interested, here is a link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Mat Work would be the best starting point. The first 3 weeks focus on the foundation, and weeks 4, 5 and 6 look at how to use that foundation with real world triggers, like the resident kitten. Hope this is helpful! - Alyssa Rose
The key is to create a safe environment with barriers. I usually encourage double barriers in case a gate or a door is left open accidentally, there's always a back up. This type of training can take anywhere from 1-6 months depending on the temperament of the dog. The key is to work at your dog's pace. Plan for 1 or 2 10 minute sessions each day. Use breakfast and dinner if possible (it's helpful if both dog and cat are on a good feeding schedule). Use a harness and leash and focus on classical conditioning at the beginning: feeding your dog in the presence of the cat without worrying about having your dog offer behaviors (that can come later). Avoid having your dog approach to sniff the cat, this usually makes things worse. If you need more guidance you can always consider signing up for my Mat Work training. This is the foundation that the dog in this video had before attempting to do any training with the cat. If you're interested in checking it out, here's a link to my classes: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It's a clicker. Clickers are also referred to as "markers" as they "mark" the moment a dog does something we like and predicts reinforcement. The word "yes" or the word "good" can also be used as a marker. There's pros and cons to both. The reason trainers will sometimes use clickers over verbal markers (like "yes" or "good" ) is because the novelty of the click makes for a stronger association. People are more likely to be consistent about pairing the sound of the click with food. That being said, I wouldn't go out and buy a clicker yet. One of the benefits of learning how to be more mindful about how you use words like "yes" or "good" is that it can create a positive ripple effect on verbal cues like your dog's name or the word "come." In the last 6-7 years I've focused mostly on a few key words and the use use of gestures, hand signals and body language to improve connection and communication. Thanks again for watching and if you are ever interested in more formal training you can check out my training classes at www.legendsdogtraining.com My "Mat Work" class would be the one that is most applicable to training calm behavior with other resident animals like dogs or cats. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hi Charley! I offer consultations where we would discuss behavior patterns, training goals, and outline a training and management plan. It’s usually about 1.5-2 hours in length. I also have a virtual class for reactive dogs that I am teaching through the Humane Society. It is well suited for dogs that are hyper-excited with the resident cat, it can also work for dogs that bark and lunge on leash. It is one hour in length, meets once each week by Zoom and runs for six weeks. The ideal would be to do a combination of the two. If you are interested in more information about the consultation you can check out my website www.legendsdogtraining.com
I love how there was no yelling! 😂 Thanks a ton for the video and I hope it the dog I was searching this for! I wanna thank the algarithm too....Seems I can never just watch just ONE video though😒
Hey! Thanks for watching! Let me know how this goes. These simple tips can be enough to help in some cases, although if your dog’s behavior is more intense I have an online class that is more comprehensive. It shows you how to establish relaxation exercises first and then how to use those exercises to teach dogs to better regulate stress or arousal. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com check out the “online classes” tab for more information. Best, Alyssa Rose
Should be no talking at all
@@ChickenPermissionOG you can use the reward command, when you get the behavior you want
Thank you so much for showing a dog on Day 1. I was getting quite disheartened by all the training videos that show grinning trainers and coached dogs in green open fields and Oh This Is Just So Easy. My current project behaves almost exactly like Ludo, in regards to excitement level (even a bit calmer!) It gives me a lot of hope that I can overcome this. I will be watching more of your videos, and starting cat and chicken specific training first thing tomorrow!
How did it work out with dog?
i wanna know too
I wanna know too
Yes, same ❤
But cat and chicken? Possible?
Thanks so much for posting this video. I wanted to let you know what a big help it was when we brought our new dog home and she proceeded to chase our 2 cats. After about a month of working with the dog and cats they can now all be in the same room together without a ruckus! My husband and are so excited by their progress. Thank you!
So happy to hear this helped. Thanks for watching!
Can yo tell me.what str!tegies you used? Cause im in the same situation😢😮thanks!
@@carolinaanadegrazia We used the clicker and even upped the treats by giving her bits of steak.... we had her undivided attention even in front of the cats! The cats also had to get their confidence up, and come to learn that she was not going to hurt them, it definitely took time. We also placed a wooden baby gate 8-10 inches up in our bedroom doorway so the cats could 'escape' into our bedroom without the dog being able to follow them in there. We also used the gate to help get the dog and cats in close proximity to each other while offering both treats.
@@13Nicki13 ok! I have already put that gate through which they can see eachother ! But sometimes the cat passes through and the dog almost catched her omg! We are trying to do what you say
Thank you so much for this video. I adopted a dog who is overly excited to chase/play with my cats. I am living two lives in the house right now, and I want to do this right.
+A Coronado Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. Thanks for watching. Let me know how the training goes. If you need more help and want to set up a phone or skype consultation you can fill out this assessment form: www.legendsdogtraining.com/assessment-form.html - the consult is usually an hour in length, costs $90 and includes written training and management recommendations. www.legendsdogtraining.com
I'm going through the same thing right now! I honestly feel like I'm living two lives 😓
Omg u worded it so perfectly! I’ve got a bedroom life and a living room/dog walking life. Just started fostering a very excitable out rescue and trying to give them both enough love attention and everything else they need is exhausting. Hoping it doesn’t take tooooo long to do this right
@apcoronado may be years late but I am living that life too but 3 😅
omg it took a year but i found this and it worked
I adopted a dog (2.5 yr old pitbull) 3 months ago who was described as having a potentially high prey drive. She was adopted and returned to the shelter 24 hrs later by someone who had a cat (which I saw as overly impatient). The shelter then said she should not go to a home with a cat. I liked her personality a lot (sweet, relaxed) so I did some research. After a consultation with an animal behavioralist at the shelter and seeing her calmly meet a kitten there, I decided to adopt her. As expected, she got overly excited with my 11-year old kitty, but she's very mellow the rest of the time.
I have been taking a patient approach the last few months, with regular correction and rewards, trying to make sure they see each other for a period (safely) each day, and hoping that my dog will eventually desensitize. It's not moving along very quickly and sometimes feels like we are moving backwards.
I go back and forth between feeling optimistic ("we can do this!") and feeling like I have created a situation where I will be "living two lives" (as A Coronado said) forever. Although I love hanging out with each of them separately (my dog when we're out on walks and the kitty during bedtime or when doggy is in the yard), I can't relax when they are in the same room. It's been a very expensive 3 months as well, with the home adjustments to keep them separate during the day, dog walker, and all the other expenses of a dog (that cat owners might never think of). I'm frustrated and tired, and worried that this is the permanent situation I've created for myself and both my furry kids.
I never plan to leave my dog alone with my cat, but want to get to a point where she can be unrestrained while I am home. Thanks, I needed to vent a little and I do feel better after reading about others who faced this and found a way. I am thinking I need to get a 2nd crate (this one for the kitty) and be more aggressive with the training. Alyssa Rose, I would love any suggestions you might have.
Hi! I am in your EXACT situation!!! I adopted a 2 year old pit/greyhound mix (idk he has a pit kinda face, but is all skinny and long like a greyhound). Anyway, got him a month ago. I have a 9 year old cat. He can be very calm, but I love my cat way more...I've had her since she was a month old. I dont know what to do! I had a dog up to last year who passed away. He was an angel with manners and actually scared of my cat. So the two avoided each other's gaze. It wasn't perfect, but they got along. I now realized how spoiled I was with him all those years. If you have any pointers, let me know! I'm at the point where I'm considering finding the dog a new home.
Hi Menaka and UF201011 I am going to write a few tips here that might be of help. 1) All training sessions with the cat and the dog should occur with the dog on a secure harness and six foot leash. 2) Keep your training sessions short! They should each be about 10 minutes, I use timers to make sure they don't drag on. It's better to do 2 or 3 short sessions each day, then to do one really long one. 3) Use solid management in-between each training session to prevent your dog from practicing any undesirable behavior. 4) Don't be stingy on the the reinforcement! I use training food that is moist, meaty, nutritious, delicious, easy to break into small pieces and doesn't crumble. For me, this means it's usually one of three types of food Happy Howie's food rolls (the beef, turkey or lamb formula), Red Barn food rolls (the beef formula) or diced chicken. 5) Create a training plan. Write it out and stick to it. For example, week one you can work on name recognition in the presence of the cat. Week two you can teach your dog to target a training mat with two paws in presence of the cat. Week three you can teach your dog to relax in a down position on the training mat in the presence of the cat. Week four you can work on heel work in the presence of the cat. Focus on practical skills that can be generalized to any type of distraction. By committing to these short daily training sessions you will find that you'll be developing a better relationship with your dog. You will be counter-conditioning your dogs to the excitement that is typically generated by the cat. And you will have some awesome training that can carry over into other aspects of your dog's life. We can always set up a phone consultation or remote training sessions if you feel like you're spinning your wheels. My rates and services are on my website: htttp://www.legendsdogtraining.com just fill out the assessment form to set up a consult - Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
hi!!! I really hope you get this message, I would love to know how things worked out for you and your dog and cat!! I just adopted a dog and am in the same situation. Do they get along now?
Just adopted a puppy that gets overly exited with my 11 year old cat, at the beginning he was very calm around the cat, but then he started barking at the cat which makes him run and the dog chases after him, now the cat is very nervous and insecure around the dog which only complicates the training because as soon as he sees the dogs que runs and hides. I would love to know how everything turned out in your case.
@Menaka - I went thru this too last Spring .... One cat was calm and he did fair/okay ... The other cat was fearful which made the 40lb dog want to chase her ... I know foster-type people roll their eyes at me, but I couldn't handle the pressure by myself, so instead of my original intention of keeping the 1 year old short-term foster (for over a week), he was adopted by someone else ... HE.WAS.SO.AWESOME. I was sad. But too scared for my female cat ... I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I really responded to your honesty of your experience of "living two lives", and hope you were able to work it out : )
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for!! Thank you so much! I have a foster dog, who I want to keep, but I’ve been separating him from the cat bc he’s waaaay too interested. I will try this immediately! I bet it would also help to take the dog for a walk or tire them out before starting training so the dog is calmer.
3 minutes?
Took my dog 6 hours to calm down
Hey DaChipser! Let me know if you want any tips for customizing a training plan. I offer Skype consultations and sessions for difficult cases, yours sounds like it would fall into that category. Best, Alyssa Rose
Took my dog a whole day, and even when he forgets about her as soon as he sees her again he starts crying and acting a fool. He just wants to play but god idk how to help him chill out bc he won’t take treats he’s so anxious
DaChipser lol....sometimes you wish there was a laugh emoji on here....I am looking into doing this and think mine will be like you, lol....my dog has separation anxiety and is still just a little over a year old as well....she did have a week when I stayed with a friend where there was both a cat and a dog, so even though she wanted to chase the cat, the other dog kept her wore down to where eventually she didn’t even care so much when the cat was around. I however am possibly going to go stay for a bit soon with a friend who only has a cat, so I will have to really work with my dog....I do have to say that I am liking this approach a little better than other videos I have seen....I’ll let you know if we go stay there and how long it took my Winnie, lol
My dog cares about nothing more than the cat. He would do any trick on the planner for a cat but won’t settle and won’t motivate with anything over than kitty 😞 normally a pretty chill dog too and smart he knows lots of tricks but all brains out the window of a kitty is around
Alyssa Rose how much?
People who think pit bull are violent in nature just dont understand dogs. The behavior of the Dog is given by the master. even when the owner fails to be the master, it's the owner/master's fault. I have been looking at all these dog and cat training videos because someone got a cat early in a relationship and now does not have a house for her and her cat so she came back home and now we have to deal with training a old dog to a cat, and the hardest part for me is making that person understand that we are not in a Disney movie and it will take time and patience to train the dog to get used to a new animal, specially when we let out dog scare away small animals who might nest in our yard and destroy our garden
It’s hard to set expectations. People can go to either one of two extremes - believing that it’s hopeless ..ie. “This is just how my dog is” or wanting any over night fix.
I'm glad your dogs behavior is similar to mine, that's comforting
My German shepherd was the first to chase the cat but she calmed down and was laying on my bed then the cat came and attacked her lmao. I’m getting a kitten so this video is very helpful, thank you!
Cats don’t easily let go of a grudge. Good luck with the kitten. Let me know how it goes! Best, Alyssa Rose
As for the cat! It's all about your "conditioned emotional response" - routinely feeding the cat in the presence of the dog will help change her physiology over time. Will the cat ever be calm or curious enough to approach and sniff the dog? Hard to say. Depends on the temperament, genetics, early socialization and last (but not least) the consistency of your conditioning program. Thanks for watching my video!
thankyou. I've been trying a similar method with clicker training but the behaviourist failed to mention how to deal with the cats fear
I need this video more now than ever. Just adopted a dog, own 3 cats. 🐶😸✌️
We have 4 cats and just adopted a 7 year old sweet Pitt bull mix. This is a helpful video.
This is the best video I have seen so far. Thank you for making it.
Hey! Thanks for your kind words, really appreciate it. Let me know if you have any questions. If you want more guidance - check out my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that breaks down this process step by step so that it's easy to follow. Here is a direct link to the classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Hope this is helpful. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you it was impossible tryin to find a video that matched my dogs energy and especially breed
Glad this was helpful! If you need anymore support in training I also offer online classes. The Mat Work class I teach would be the most beneficial for dogs that are hyper-excited with cats. This is the same foundation training that Ludo (from the video) had worked on prior to doing this training with the cat. That foundation is truly the key to success. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
the first helpful video I’ve found, thank you!
Why am I watching this I don't even own a cat.
Do you have a dog? For what it's worth, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Because your thinking about getting one 😂 dw same here haha
Same lol
Thank you so much for uploading this video. It does give me hope to keep training my dog. I am adopting a cat soon but am worried my dog won’t react well. He is an 11 year old intact beagle mix. (My dad refuses to have him neutered) despite that, my dog is very smart and picks up things quickly. I believe he will eventually get used to the cat’s presence, to the point where he will enjoy her company. He is laid back and relaxed most of the time. Never greets people by jumping on them, etc. Although he doesn’t like kids. I am planning to contact you if I do have trouble though. Thanks for the video!
With the right plan, anything is possible. The most important thing is to be safe and take it slooow. This will by far lead to the best possible results. I’m here if you need support. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that would be helpful for this. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hello Cynthia how's the weather over there
Hello all😃, well my daughter is moving in with me and my female 24 months old GSD. My daughter,5 yr old granddaughter and 😸. I have to socialize my dog with the cat and the 5 year old granddaughter, first is the cat just have big time anxiety but watching these videos is helping. This weekend is the start and man my stomach is in knots😥😨😳😱
Hi! Slow and steady wins the race. Be cautious and have management tools in place in advance. I like to have double barriers. For example, extra tall baby gate with vertical bars and a door, or two gates. Keep training sessions short and safe. Keep your dog on a harness and leash and the cat can be in a carrier. Avoid having the dog approach to sniff. While many times we’re curious to see what happens if they interact, a lot of times this results in the dog becoming more excitable and the car become more nervous or defensive. Similar recommendations for helping your dog become comfortable with your granddaughter, and vice versa. Keep me posted on how it goes and let me know if you need more help. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining thank you will do, my 5 year old granddaughter is a cat lover like her mom. I like both pets but prefer dog to walk and help me exercise. As a disabled veteran @100% my dog keeps me motivated. The sad thing is the granddaughters father is a jerk and got caught fooling around so my daughter is welcomed here always ❤ just big time anxiety ahead, thank you for the encouragement😊
My dogs a pitbull too so it’s reassuring to know that even with her impulsive behavior, it can be managed.
This is very helpful, thank you. I have been doing something similar but not using food and I had the cat up high. My dog is at the point of the "leave it" command and usually responsive. I think I need to dedicate more time to this.
Food is a very powerful tool in training when used correctly, can help to condition a calm, relaxed response where a dog may otherwise become over-aroused. Thanks for watching!
The "leave it" worked on my GSD reward calmness, take time and awareness.
Great video . Good teaching .
Ludo and Snoop are great names .
Thank you!
MY DOG IS EXACTLY LIKE THIS. Thank you
Thank you, this was excellent. We adopted a young, highly excitable dog a year ago and would like to add a cat to our family. He has not done well around cats we have had in the house for a night or two (emergency rescue) so I really need to do the introductions right.
I like how you expained that desensitizing goes first and after that comes operant conditioning. I'd probably mix both together and would get nowhere.
Your puppy was just overexcited to meet his new friend, patience is key with introducing any animal to the pack, my dog was raised with cats when he was a baby so he just walks up to them and licks them but kittens can freak out so I've decided to introduce my new kitten very slowly with the steps from your video.
After the second day the kitten is less stressed and not too interested in the dogs barking or making noise, she is still a bit sketchy though, few more days and she should be cool with them and start to accept them as her family
Donovan Godfrey Thabks for watching and taking the time to comment. The same training steps can be applied to both dogs that are excited or cats that are nervous. Sounds like training is headed in the right direction. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again for watching. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Thank you so much! I hope this will work. My dog is the exact same as yours so hyper in any presence of an animal .
My cat had traumatic experience with my aunties dog , since then she is petrified . My cat knows that the dog lives in the house now.
Doesnt run away when he is barking at her when she is at the window in my room. But once he is in my room she goes all panic mode , she starts hissing and barely makes any movement, my sisters dog he gets all excited to see her and tries to smell her
But once he is too close he gets scratched and then he gets in an defensive mode, his fur prickles up.
And anytime he sees her , when she runs he chases after her.
I didnt know at the time about using positive reinforcement in these situations so I always shouted at him when he chased her.
Luckily we have an cat carrier , i will try your method and hope to God it works ! I will do this in the morning and afternoon when feeding time comes .
Thank you so much!!!
Sugerlump 36 Thanks for watching and let me know how it goes!
This is always effective if you ”set the stage” for learning to happen. A few considerations: 1. This is a process. Some dogs show dramatic improvement in a few weeks, some take a few months. All dogs (and cats) can make incredible progress if you’re committed to training. 2. Management is critical. Make sure you prevent accidental exposure in-between sessions. I recommend being safe and always having at least two barriers between dog and cat. Accidental exposure could set back training. 3. Sessions should be between 5-10 minutes in length. 4. The goal is not to have the cat and dog interact but to condition both to be calm and relaxed in each other’s presence. You’re also teaching the dog to think and become more responsive to you in high arousal situations. You never have to “test” it by having the two come in close proximity.
If you need more help we can always set up a consult. Go to www.legendsdogtraining.com and fill out an assessment form and I’ll get back to you with available appointment times. Good luck! - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining of course I will keep the updates on the training with them! Also one question.
Does the pets age matter to this type of training of helping them get along?
I'm asking because my cat is nearly 6 years old and the dog is about a year and 3 months old .
Sugerlump 36 age can factor into the timeline. I would say that dogs between the ages of 1 and 3 are most receptive to learning new things or modifying behavioral responses. That being said, i frequently work with older dogs (10-12 years old) and see great progress in their training goals. It just takes more time and repetition. And since the end result is to improve communication and help animals better adapt to their surroundings - it’s always worth it. - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining hi there! An update on how the first part of training went today.
It went better than I expected, he was at first very excited and tried to approach the carrier , he was whining and barking to get to the cat. I body blocked him from seeing the cat, he calmed down a bit and layed down. Praised him when he was doing the right behaviour I wanted .
The video is a big help than you so much! I will keep you updated on further training !
Sugerlump 36 that’s great. I love that you mentioned the fact that you’re doing this at feeding time - it makes it easier to do routinely. A reminder to keep your dog on leash so that he can’t approach the carrier and make your cat more fearful. You can also place a little treat , like tuna, inside the carrier to promote calm, positive associations on the cats end too. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for this!
What if your puppy is barking at the cat
We have two dogs inside the house, the other one does not attack the cat nor bother it if the other dog is not around.
What we did when we brought in our kitten:
1. We seperated the dogs from the kitten we made sure to give the kitten her very own safe space, a room where dogs can’t get it. We started playing with the dogs then the kitten in their own seperate spaces to get the, used to each others smell, as much as we can.
2. We then gave the kitten a cloth our dogs use to let her get used to their scent.
3. The kitten started crying from her room and wanting to get out, so she started to wander around the room without the dog because we know that one of our dog is still too hyperactive regarding the kitten.
4. We have also reinforced training for 5 minutes in 3 sessions, morning, afternoon, evening night for the dog where we get her attention to us, to convey a message that paying attention to us rather than the kitten is a positive behavipur where, it means to leave the cat alone.
5. The training was working a bit 3 days into the training so we started Opening the door of the cat room but still putting a border so the kitten won’t be disturbed by the dog. The kitten started getting put of the room herself which where we thought she was getting more comfortable however one of our dogs still cannot leave the kitten alone where she follows the kitten and tries to carry it. The kitten would hiss then so we would seperate the two of them. We did not stop with the training at all. 4 days into the training our kitten started going to my dog herself and lets my dog lick her, (the dog who is always calm is out of the house for now, we try to train them seperate and we do not have much problem with the that dog because she’s calm and she doesn’t care much about the cat)., the kitten tried to go under our dog’s belly and my dog did not like that so she stood up and kept avoiding the kitten from going near her belly but she was not aggressive. Our dog started to be calm and quiet whenever the kitten was sleeping even if she was near her. 5 days into this relationship, my dog started to get uncomfortable withthe kitten because the kitten starting playing with her fur and trying to attack her in an attacking stance so the dog started showing her behaviour of hyperactivity again and we tried getting her attention. It was not succesful. The cat kept trying to play with our dog’s fur and biting my dog which may have been uncomfortable for my dog or thought of it as an invitation to play so our dog started following the cat once again and trying to play with her. The kitten has not hissed at all however she keeps slapping our dog when she goes near. We are trying to continue our training from step one but my dog started doing this…. 1 week(today) into the training … she goes to the kitten then to me and looking for treats, she would startbarking at me for me treats but I did not give her to not reinforce this behaviour, but she’s still doing it. However, I’ll be patient and see where it goes as this is only the first week.
I still would like to know where it went wrong and what I should in these cases and what are the other things I should do or if i misunderstood something. Thank you
Edit: it’s almost 2weeks and it seems that the kitten was only trying to play with my dog and my dog was not yet used to her actions so she just needed some time, they have started playing already and my dogs have stopped bothering the kitten too much which is very nice and a relief! I hope they become better friends and siblings as the kitten grows into an adult
Lol I needed this, my dog (small, black pomeranian) is a very hyper dog, shes friendly but also hyper so it comes off as aggressive but it's not shes just friendly, and this video helped a bit, now my cat doesn't run away but instead watches from a higher place, and seems to be getting closer everytime lol
Hey! Thanks for writing in. This is great to hear, are things still progressing in the right direction? Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining oh yea, my cat doesn't run away at the sight of my pom anymore, he (the cat, named Gizmo) actually ate right next to her this morning! N well my dog didnt chase him off, so yea I think it's working pretty well
Thank you so much for this video, We just got a 1 year old great dane and he is lovely, but terrible around other animals, we accidentally came across another dog while on a walk and he pulled me right off my feet!
And the poor cat :( she is an abandoned rescue and extremely social and affectionate, and now we have found out she is also extremely terrified of dogs. I'm so sad for her. She no longer gets the affection she loves because she is almost always in hiding :(
I am going to get her a crate and work on these techniques. thank you
Hi! Thank you for watching. Let me know if you have any questions. It’s all about breaking down the process and working under conditions where your dog is able to focus and engage. Keep sessions short and make sure you have solid management strategies in between sessions so that the dog isn’t able to rehearse chasing and the cat isnt practicing fearful responses. I have a virtual “reactive dog” class starting this week that might be a good fit for your Great Dane. It takes place on Zoom. Here’s a link if you’re curious for more information: www.legendsdogtraining.com/virtual-classrooms/
I hope you encouraged Ludo's owners to get the dog fixed. There are too many homeless dogs, and the dogs that get put down the most are the larger dogs. But your advice on how to help the cat and the dog are very good. Thanks.
Jeff Davis Hi! Ludo had been adopted from the shelter shortly before this video was taken. He was neutered prior to leaving the shelter. The procedure can be performed in different ways. In this case, he had been neutered but his scrotum needed time to .. shrivel. :/ Neutering is becoming the subject of greater debate but there are so many dogs filling up the shelter and being euthanized because there just aren't enough good homes. Ludo was days away from being euthanized prior to his adoption. Thanks for watching my video, sorry it took me so long to respond. - Alyssa Rose
Jeff Davis worry about your own balls, leave ludo’s out of it
James Sorgi the conversation is about keeping animals neutered/spayed because too many animals are being born and then killed in shelters. Neutering and spaying early can also reduce cancer risk. If the topic touched a nerve with you, I think that's a you problem. :)
@@NH-yn3re yes neutering will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer bcuz he will have no balls lmao such amazing logic and its rare for a pet to even get testicular cancer unless u are showering the animal in GMO poisons. People just need to take responsibility n train/supervise their dogs around other dogs.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
My dog is JUST like Ludo, which is great because in all other videos I’ve watched they used an already calm dog or one that’s so small it wouldn’t hurt the cat. We'll be getting a preferably young kitty in the summer, and I think my dog will behave in almost exactly the same way Ludo did. Hopefully this will work 😬🤷🏽♀️
How did things go?
Thanks for the video, we just got a kitten and my hyperactive morkie is SUPER excited
Thank you for showing everything ❤🎉
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!! ❤️😌
Would you mind giving more details on how you transitioned from the cat in a carrier to having the cat move around on its own? Our pup started out like Ludo here, and we’ve gotten to the point where he is calm while the cat is still in a carrier or being held. However, the few times we’ve let the cat roam around on its own, our dog goes back into “chase mode” and lunges towards the cat. I’d like some tips on how to make that transition! Thanks for the video!
Any tips? My dog is also doing this. Seems like we make progress then he goes back to lunging
Hi Victor! Systematic desensitization and counter-conditioning is a long process, when done properly it is no longer about the food, the food is a tool to change the dog's physiological response to the cat. The goal is to lower the dog's arousal level sufficiently that the dog will yield to the cat. Prong collars are tricky. I personally don't recommend them to clients in order to counter-act predatory impulses because *if used incorrectly the collar could effectively fuel the dog's prey drive.
Great video! Your technique is basically confirming that what we're doing is right. Got a 12 week old kitten about 1,5 week ago and she's very curious but a bit fast at reacting triggered (hissing and getting tense) if the dog (white swiss shepherd) gets too close. The thing is that our dog from earlier encounters with cats has understood that she should stay away from them. Up until now she's been good at staying away from cats and have had a great respect around them (even when beeing unleashed around them). She's been frigtened by them a couple of times, and whines a little when they're close but walks away from them by choice. So we thought that getting a kitten wouldn't be a problem. But when we got the kitten it kind of turned. Maybe it has to do with the fact that a cat came into her home and not the other way around.
We did try in the beginning to let them greet each other (with her on a leash) and the cat freely on the floor (free to hide behind the couch if she wanted to), just to see how they reacted. We just didn't expect the kitten to be so brave that she dared to jump toward the dog and hiss. All of a sudden the dog reacted as if the kitten attacked her and jumped after the cat while growling. Then we realised that it wouldn't be as simple as we had expected.
Ever since our dog was little we have trained with positive reinforcement (taking classes and continued this type of every day training), calmness and such. She's 2 years old soon. So she usually listens to us very nicely and it hasn't been that hard to redirect her focus when she focuses on things that gets her excited. I would say that she easily fits into the group of dogs that gets "hyper-excited" about certain things. Loves play and treats and is very social with other dogs and humans.
Seems like she just has a very hard time overcoming that the cat isn't behaving like a dog.
I can see how this is just one of those things that we need to overcome with a lot of calmness training and redirecting focus in the presence of the cat. But I just can't help wondering how long it will take, and if they will ever be able to be around each other without jumping at each other. The cat it getting more and more playful day by day (I guess this is just the worst "playful kitten phase" we have to get through), so training with keeping the cat calm is difficult. The dog is doing amazing...up until the cat makes a move that triggers her to react.
I', not sure what kind of help I'm looking for (since I feel that we are doing your type of training already) , or if I just need some comforting words that it will get better xD
Hey, Sorry for this delayed response. How is your dog doing with the kitten? Have you seen progress? Best, Alyssa Rose legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining They're best friends now :) It took about 4 weeks of slow introduction and a lot of treats. Check them out on my dog's instagram @whiteswiss.arwen
Ill try it thank you
We are about to undertake the same thing with our rescue german shepherd puppy. She is about 6 months and is trying anything she can to get at the cat. She is not acting aggressively, just extremely focused on seeing what the cat is. We just picked up a dog crate to help with house-training as well as allowing the cats to venture out and control the situation some.
Why would you put your cat in such a dangerous situation? I don't understand it, i would never allow a bigger dog in our house, i love my cat, and that dog can snap at anytime if left uncheked for a while.
@@woomicky The cat is not in any danger, we would not do that to our cats. They were getting introduced in the proper fashion with a leash on the dog or a barrier up to allow the cats to leave if they want to. We would not leave the dog alone with the cats like that. Unfortunately, the pup did not work out as our little old schnauzer didn't want any part of her and it wasn't fair for the new pup to not be able to play without our old girl showing teeth and trying to biter her....sigh
@starwarsfanforlife I'm sorry to hear that didn't work out! Thanks for watching my video, and apologies for not responding sooner. Let me know if you ever have any training or behavior questions in the future. Best, Alyssa Rose
Real difficulties begin when the cat is as excited to see the dog than the dog is to see the cat...
I need to train both of them to be calm around each other, and find a way for them not to see each other in between training sessions... 😵🙈
Anyway, thanks for the video. It confirmed what I already knew : one step at a time, we'll get there.
I just need to start training... 😅
Thank you. My sweet son died suddenly. He left behind his senior cat. We were able to find - what we thought was a good home for her - nine months later, I got a phone call saying it isn't working out. The cat "attacked her dog". My little senior dog doesn't get along with cats but I'm left with no choice right now. I hate to put my dog in this situation. I'm hoping he can relax with the cat. Vise versa. I don't want her given to just anyone! She was my son's friend! So I'm picking her up tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out how to make this work. Your video gives me some hope that I won't have to re-home her again. A shelter is NOT AN OPTION! Any other suggestions to get them okay together will be much appreciated.
Hi Kerry, I'm so sorry to hear about your son. The right management is just as important as the training. Having a double barrier is a great idea. This could be a solid door, as well as, an extra tall baby gate that swings on a hinge. Although cats are able to jump gates, sometimes this can still help to encourage the dog and the cat to maintain space from each other. The gate can also be used for training/ bonding activities. For example you could place a mats on either side of the gate and hand feeds treats. If the dog and the cat are accustomed to eating on a feeding schedule - you can also incorporate breakfast or dinner into this routine. The reason this is so effective is because it lowers stress and creates calm, positive associations with one another. This works just as well for cats that have aggressive tendencies, as it does for dogs. I lost my mom a few years ago and we adopted her senior dog that had anxiety and aggression issues. I know how important it is to make this integration work. Wishing you the best in your efforts. Alyssa Rose
Thankuuu for the tips and example ma'am have a good day!! Love from singapore ✨
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to send these kind words. Really appreciate it. Let me know if you have questions or want more guidance! - Alyssa Rose
Thank you for posting this. I got new puppy 6 months ago and we were making positive progress with my cat who is extremely scared of dogs that chase/bark at him. They were able to be on the same bed together (in my presence) and would take treats sitting near one another, but now after 1 bad encounter (cat swatted the puppy), all my puppy does is chase and bark and all progress between the 2 was lost. Guess I have to basically just start over like this video suggests and desensitize my pup.
Let me know if you need any more support in training. I have a class starting in a few weeks that is well suited to helping dogs learn to be calm with the resident cat. If this is of interest to you - go to the Calm Connections class on my website www.legendsdogtraining.com you’ll find it listed under the online classes tab.
So, my dog is the same breed as Ludo (based in appearance) and also struggles with cats. Mine seems much more excited and hyper around cats. She doesn’t growl or bark aggressively at them… but she cries and whines excessively while trying to get to them… she would have bulldozed past me unlike Ludo did to you lol would this same technique work for her? Or is she beyond this?
Thank you so much for this
Glad you found this helpful!
THANK YOU! my dog is 1 year old and we've had our cats first,they ran away when she was a puppy so its our fault they aren't socialized right, but this video looks good and its worth a shot. Please any tips we have 2 cats and a 1 year old American bully
Hey! Thanks for watching. How is the training going? A key part to the training is building a solid foundation first. The dog in the video had about 3 weeks of foundation work before training with the cat. If your curious to learn more about the training you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com The Mat Work class listed on the "online classes" tab is the training that Ludo (the pit in this video) received prior to training with the cat. Thanks again for watching. Best, Alyssa Rose
My mini dachshund is freaking crazy out of control 😂 I wish he would calm down around my cat
Hey! A few tips! 1. Management and training go together like peanut butter and jelly. The more your doxie practices “crazy out of control” behavior the more habitual it becomes, the harder it is to un-Train. In fact I usually recommend 2 barriers between the dog and cat at any given time. Like a door and a baby gate. 2. Training is a process, but if you’re committed - the sky is the limit. 3. Keep sessions short and sweet (5 minutes in length). This video provides an example of how to set that up with dog on harness and leash. 4. Good training works off of a solid foundation. If you want more guidance and support register for my newsletter at www.legendsdogtraining.com I’ll be sending out information about an online course that will show you step by step what that foundation looks like. It’s simple, fun and might bring a little more peace and harmony to your home. Thanks for watching and writing in. Best, Alyssa Rose
I just got a kitten to. Every time we try showing her it she gets really excited. Then when she seems calm if I show her the kitten again she starts chattering her jaw and drooling.
It’s like she wants to eat it or something
Hey, how is everything going? If you're still seeing issues - I have an online class that might help. The class focuses on calming exercises on a training mat. Chattering and drooling are signs of high arousal or high stress. Here's my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com the class is called "Calm Connections." Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for this video. I just adopted a jrt mix who has no interest in any cats (outside or at the vet, etc) other than the two cats I already have. One cat is a hider, the other doesn't care. I have them in a room with a baby gate and highly monitored. He will go look at the cats and then can be called away or walks away on his own. He came to us only knowing his name, so he is in learning mode for everything. He is very smart and very obedient otherwise, so I think with patience, I can get him to ignore my cats like he ignores all other small animals out doors.
Hello Shelley how's the weather over there
Thanks so much! Just got a new dog and he's over excited about everything and so my cat quickly put up his defenses! this is the first he's done this to a dog so I got a little worried.
Thank you for this 😭 we we needed this like yesterday
i have a german shepherd who has a high pray drive and hes rlly strong and nothings working he just wont stay calm when it comes to the cats he gets so excited
Hey, Apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Have you made any progress? Let me know if you need additional support in training. Best, Alyssa Rose
That is fantastic! How long was each session? What is the follow up to this? We have the dame problem with our new dog and existing cat.
Karl Kaseoru hi Karl! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. The first session was longer, because it took a little bit of time to get Ludo settled into training but generally I recommend that my clients do 5-10 minutes a day. Every dog progresses at their own rate depending on the intensity of the problem behavior, and the consistency of following training protocol. Good management is critical in between training sessions. If you’re interested, I have a new online course about behavior modification. If you want to check out go to basetrainingmethod.com thanks again for watching! Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Hey Karl! Just wanted to check in and see how your dog and cat are doing. I’m going to be doing a Q and A about “Dog and Cat Socialization” at 11:30am pacific time on Base Training Method FB page. 5/1/2019
m.facebook.com/basetrainingmethod/
Come by and check it out if you have any questions.
Well done.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to send some kind words. Appreciate it. Alyssa Rose
I just got My dog. He’s a sweetheart but he’s a pit/American bulldog mix (we think at least lol). He has the same tense reaction to cats. I can tell hes just excited but everybody says he wants to eat them because of his breed :(. Hoping this video helps me break some bad habits
Can a 5 month old pitbull be trained to get along with my 4 cats? We are thinking of getting this puppy. He seems well socialized to others and other dogs but has never been around cats.
Hi Naomi! It’s definitely possible. If you decide to move forward I would be strategic about the introduction. Five month old puppies are typically curious and excitable. I would have separate areas to make sure the puppy doesn’t have a chance to practice chasing. On top of that I would spend 10 minutes each day doing training exercises where the puppy is reinforced with high value food for standing, sitting or lying down on a “station” (like a dog bed, or training mat). Regardless of breed I would expect there to be a good amount of management until the dog is 1.5 years old. There’s lots of variability though, the temperament of the dog, the cats and the consistency of management and training. Let me know if you end up adopting the puppy. Would love to hear how it goes! Best, Alyssa Rose
Hello, and thanks for the video! I just got a 9 month old Border collie/hound mix from our local shelter, and we are having this problem.
How we did it was we had him go around the house on a leash to explore. The first interaction was while he was still on the leash, and they have been close enough to each other for them to touch noses. I think my cat tries to be nice by doing the little rub thing they do against him, but he gets excited very quickly and starts jumping and barking at her. We try to tell him "no" and hold him back when he does this and say good boy when he stays a little calmer, but like I said it really doesn't take long for him to get too excited, and for the cat to run off (which naturally causes the dog to chase her) and or swat and hiss at him.
I'd rather not have to put the cat in a crate, because they are used to free range of the house (we have three others, lucky me...), and I don't want them to feel jealous or like we are replacing them.
They use tables and furniture to look at him from a safe distance, but they still swat if he's too close and hyper.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Christen Duerring hey! A few tips... 1. Management. Make sure that you have a really solid management plan. Training is going to be most effective if the dog isn’t practicing hyper-excited behavior in between training sessions. I like to use a combination of baby gates, and harnesses and leashes. If one fails you have a back up. 2. Your training sessions should be 5-10 minutes in length and can be done 3x’s per week. 3. The focus in training is teaching your dog to watch the cats from a safe distance (kinda like what the cats are doing naturally). 4. Work on foundation training every day using positive reinforcement methods to improve your dog’s engagement, focus and communication skills. I have an online course that goes over the foundation “mat work” I think is most helpful. To learn more you can go to basetrainingmethod.com let me know if you have questions! Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
@@legendsdogtraining Thank you for the tips! So we shouldn't do a play session or long walk in between the times we will train? Just trying to clarify!
Hey! Thanks for that question! I realized that wasn’t clear. I meant practicing hyper-excited behavior in response to the cats or hyper-excited behavior in the presence of the cats. Play and walks are great. 👍🏻
@@legendsdogtraining Ah, I get it now! Thank you! :)
How has it been going with training with your new dog and cats?
This is so helpful and excited to start implementing- my concern is I have 4 dogs. 3 of which are pretty much exactly like the dog in this video. I am just not sure how to start. Clearly do this all individually but how once I get to the point do I then start trying it with 2 dogs at once, 3, etc..
I have a anxious and not very well socialized German Shepard around 6 or 7 year old. He is pumped full of energy, and I would love to adopt an adult cat. Would you recommend this is would it be a bad mix?
Hi Katie! I would make sure that have a solid foundation in behavioral training first. There’s always room for growth when we have strong training platform to work from. I would recommend mat work training that focuses on relaxation exercises. If you are interested I have an online course that teaches this. It’s called “calm connections.” If you want to learn more about the class, go here: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/best, Alyssa
I just adopted a staffy from a rescue group. They said he was good with dogs, cats and kids. He just wants to chase my cats but he has an intense stare and holds his place if we told him then releases like a rubber band the moment we let him. How would we move forward with this?
EmeryMossJr hi! Congratulations on your new adoption. The first thing you need to do is come up with a solid management system. It might take time for the dog and cat to integrate (sometimes a couple weeks, sometimes a couple months), during this initial time you want to minimize the amount that your staffy practices hyper-active behavior with the cat and the cat practices fearful or defensive behavior with dog. Solid baby gates are a game changer (avoid ones that are easily knocked over). The second step is to break the training down into 5 minute increments once or twice a day. At minimum, I would have dog eating breakfast or dinner in the presence of cat. If cat is on a feeding schedule they can both eat at the same time. This will help to develop calm, positive associations. Don’t take chances. The dog should always be on a secure harness and leash when you do training sessions and separated with sturdy gate and visual barrier when not training. The more structured you are, the better the results. Keep me posted on how it’s going and if you ever feel stuck you can schedule a consultation with me by going to www.legendsdogtraining.com best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks so much for the reply. I had an idea of what we were going to do, but I wanted to make sure we were doing it right. Our collie and heeler were always easy to train, if a bit stubborn, but this guy is different. He might have hearing issues as well, but is responsive to hand signals.
Good luck! Keep me posted on how it goes. Alyssa Rose
Great vid
Steph Mcmanus thank you! Appreciate that. - Alyssa
Hi my name is cassandra I just adopted a 3 year old lab but I have a dog that he get along well with right now but my cat and him are not in a good start. WIll this help with his energy and teach him to get better along with my cat better?
Hi Cassandra! Thanks for watching my video and taking the time to write in. Yes! This will help to build calm behavior in the presence of your cat, and set the stage for a healthy relationship between the two of them. Here are a few more tips to move you in the right direction: 1.It's a process! Don't get discouraged if you're not seeing a quick turn around in a few days or a couple of weeks. We are usually tracking progress over several weeks or months. 2. Create a super solid management plan. When you are not training you need to make sure that your dog is not rehearsing unwanted/ excitable behaviors. It's worth the investment to create a "double barrier set up" where there are always two barriers (ie. two extra tall baby gates, or one extra tall baby gate and a door) between your dog and cat at any time. Not only will this help to establish a calmer baseline throughout the day, but it will also ensure that if one barrier fails - there's always a back up! 3. Always, always, always maintain space. Your cat needs to trust that you have his/ her best intentions in mind. Don't lead your dog up to your cat even if if that cat is inside a carrier. Train, don't test! Always keep your dog on harness and leash during your training sessions and maintain a respectful distance. Otherwise your cat can develop deeper fear issues, and will lose trust. If you want more help or guidance you can always check out my online classes at legendsdogtraining.com. My "Mat Work class" would be the best starting point to create a calm, relaxed baseline and clear pathways of communication. You can start at anytime and you would also have the ability to connect with me each week to ask questions and talk through the training. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
So how many days does this take in total to get to the final results.
Hey, I apologize for the delayed response. It's difficult to give a timeline because the length of time needed in training depends on 1. How good is your management plan? We want to make sure that the dog is not routinely given opportunities to practice hyper behavior with cat. A weak management plan can prolong the training. 2. How consistent is the training? I usually aim for 2-3 short sessions each day. When I say "short" I mean that the sessions should be about 5 minutes in length. 3. How old is the dog? Training is possible (and worth it) at any age, but younger dogs will generally pick things up a little faster. Older dogs, who may have a longer history of practicing undesirable behavior, will need more time. 4. How intense is the behavior? Some dogs are triggered by the sight or sound of the cat, and will go from 0 to 60 in a micro second. Other dogs are calm with the cat unless the cat moves, jumps or meows. Everything else being equal - I would assume that the training will take longer if the behavioral response is more intense. 5. How motivated is the dog? If a dog is being free fed, they probably will be less interested in food. A dog that is fed on a schedule, and has a healthy appetite will be more motivated in training. Motivation will influence the timeline as well. Generally speaking, with mild cases of hyper-activity with the cat - we are usually looking at 3-6 weeks of training. If the behavior is more intense, or if it has been practiced for a longer period of time - I would expect it to take a few months, at least. Best, Alyssa Rose
Im going through this so this video is super insightful thanks
Nick Taddia thank you! let me know if you have any questions or need help troubleshooting. Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for this video. When I originally got my dog(standard American Eskimo)I had an older cat and introducing them wasn't a problem. Belle barked n Nesta hissed and swatted at her once, they were totally fine. 2yrs ago Nesta passed away at 18yrs old. Belle is now 4 and I just got 2 kittens a week ago. Introducing them has been a slow process and she keeps barking at them, especially if they wrestle, or worse I hold one. I've put the kittens into a large dog crate for an hour or so the last few days so Belle can see n hear them in the main room while we act like it's no big deal. At this point I don't feel safe with them and the dog running freely. If you happen to read this I would appreciate any advice because I didn't think getting a cat would cause such issues with the dog. Oh one of the kitties smacked Belle through the carrier on day one but it didn't stop the nonstop barking at all.
Hello Denisia how's the weather over there
Hi Denisia, I'm sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. Have things improved with the kittens? A big part of successful behavioral training (training for stress or over-arousal) is having a solid foundation. The dog in the video did about 3 weeks of Mat Work training. If you are interested in learning more about this you can go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com you'll find Mat Work listed among the online classes. Best wishes to you. - Alyssa Rose
I realy hope this works! Im starting tomorrow so well see how it goes...
Hi! How is it going with the training? other things to consider are 1. Management - make sure dog doesn’t have opportunity to chase the cat in between training. Good idea to set up a double barrier (like two gates or one gate and a closed door) to minimize visuals and sounds (like meowing) that could trigger excitement in your dog. 2. Training conditions need to be set up with success in mind. Create controlled conditions that gives your dog as much space as he/she needs to be focused and engaged in your training session. 3. Be patient! It’s a process. Changes usually don’t happen overnight. If you want more support and guidance through this training I have a virtual classroom through the Humane Society for reactive dogs. This is a good fit for dogs that bark, chase or fixate on the resident cat. It’s also good for dogs that bark and lunge on leash or that are sound sensitive. It’s one hour in length, meets once a week, for six weeks. If you are interested in more information or want to sign up you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
Thanks for the video. Any suggestions about how to reinforce a dog with nearly zero food motivation?
+Maria Tomlin Thanks for watching! No such thing as a dog with zero food motivation, otherwise the dog wouldn't be alive. First order of business is to get the dog on a healthy schedule. Don't leave food out, this de-values food. Measure the food to make sure that the dog is not being over-fed. I use high value, nutritious, meaty food for training. I never put this in their dog food bowl. Start training in a low stress, low distraction environment. Teach your dog the love of learning in a simple environment, like your living room, and then slowly add in distractions. A high level of stress or arousal can suppress a dog's appetite. If your dog still shows little to no interest in food you might want to consult a veterinarian as suppressed appetite could be linked to medical issues or chronic stress. Hope this is helpful. Thanks again for watching. - Alyssa
Hi Stephen! Your job will be much easier if you raise and socialize both when they are young OR if you choose adults that already have the necessary social skills. Critical socialization period is between 6 weeks and 16 weeks of age. The exposure that they receive at this time will set the stage for how they behave as adults. A lack of exposure to cats will lead to fear, predatory behavior or hyper-excitement on the dog's part. And fear or aggression on the cat's part.
I have 2 ,127lbs German shearers that are 5”3 when standing . They are big dogs that hate cats they chase them off our backyards all the time in a sprinting hunting manner . I’m a little scared that they can gang up on my future cat ,but I’m hoping for the best this video helps .They react like ludo did sometimes just to dogs but they warm up to them eventually. The cat I’m getting is older and is friendly with dogs so I’m hoping they can co exist
When you are not training how do you control the environment? Lido in crate and dog out and then dog in crate and cat out?
Usually it makes the most sense to use a combination of baby gates, exercise pens and closed doors. The dog has one area of the house, the cat has the other. The best management involves double barriers, just in case one barrier fails (baby gate gets knocked over, or door is left open) there is a second barrier maintaining the peace and preventing unwanted behaviors from being rehearsed. Double barriers are also a good idea because it helps keep the dog and cat calmer on a physiological level - you can use a baby gate and a closed door to create space, create a visual barrier and muffle sounds that may otherwise become trigger points. The training takes time, but if you are consistent in management and training (both are equally important) - you'll see progress. Hope this is helpful. If you ever feel you need additional help you can join one of my classes. Here is a link if you would like to learn more: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thank you! How long do you have to work at this before you can relax you guard
So im watching this because my boys (kittens) are coming home tomorrow to my girls (5 month old pups).
How’s it going? Let me know if you need more support in training. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that provide a step by step in implementing relaxation training. Best, Alyssa Rose
Got a younger pup and old cat, wish it went this fast :p
Is this possible with a beagle and a parrot
We have adopted two small dogs for the past 3 years, and both of them are very sensitive. They chase all sorts of things in the backyard, like squirrels or mice. We managed to introduce one dog to another, but I was wondering, since we were thinking of adopting a kitten. Will my dogs' aggressive behavior scare the kitten? Is there a specific type of kitten we should adopt? Also, my dogs do not respond that much to verbal commands, and are super energetic when we bring out treats. Any advice helps, Alyssa Rose!
Hey! If you adopt kittens you will want to go into it with a solid plan! Here’s an overview of what i would do: 1. Management. I usually use double barriers. One would be a tall, walk thru gate that swing on a hinge. The other could be a closed door. This will prevent your dog from practicing hyper-excited behavior with the kittens. 2. Feeding schedule. Dogs and even kittens should be on a feeding schedule. I would feed them in the same room, each day during meal time. Have dogs in harness and leash, and keep a safe distance and feed them in a dog bed. Focus more on conditioning, over verbal cues. This means that I’m not concerned if the dog isn’t able to respond to cues initially I just want to see that their bodies are relaxing and their focus on me is increasing. 3. After each of these sessions I would take the dogs outside for a calm walk, or sit with them in the garden or for a walk. Something that will help them refocus onto something else, preferably something that is calming. I usually see progress in 3-6 weeks. You might also co spider doing more training before the kittens come home to set the stage for success. I don’t know if this is something that would interest you but I have online classes by zoom. They meet once a week, for one week and run for six weeks. Here’s a link if you want to check it out: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/
The class called “calm connections” could be a good starting point as it focused on calming exercises on a training mat, “reactive dog” class would be another good option.
Let me know if you have questions. - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining Thank you so much for you response!
I'm having problems breaking my new dogs attention as in step #2 ! The shelter I got penny from told me she was ok with cats.
Thank you for the video! I have a 9 month old Whippet and now a new red (known to be „braver“ then other) kitten. He is very couragous and curious. The problem is that my whippet stays pretty calm and can even look at me while the cat sits in the same room but when they are to close my pupper gets to excited, the cat scratches and spits this leads to him (the dog) being kinda offended and defensive (maybe?) and barks at him in a very excited anxious way... I am going to try your method for sure!!!
Let me know how it goes. I would keep your dog on harness and leash. You will never go wrong by being cautious and taking things slow. In fact, this will usually lead to better results. If you need more help I have an online class that would facilitate the training by creating a stronger foundation and providing more structure and consistency. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com
I wish I had seen this years ago. I have a 4 year old(?) female blue nose pit and a 10(?) year old male tabby. The cat was here first. When I got my dog, there were no problems because the cat basically vacated. Now he wants his house back. The pit basically ignores cats, unless the cats bolt. I work with my dog, but should I be placing more emphasis on working with my cat?
+Zen Bastard Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It's never too late to start training. I would be working on calming exercises with both the dog and the cat. Feeding time is a great opportunity to fortify calm behavior in one and other's presence. If you want more customized advice we can schedule a skype or phone consultation, fill out this assessment form: www.legendsdogtraining.com/assessment-form.html The consultation is one hour in length, costs $90 and includes a write out of training and management recommendations. - Alyssa Lapinel, CPDT-KA http:www.legendsdogtraining.com
I am going through the process and I used both positive and a prong collar to correct the aggressive behavior from my dog. I tried to use the positive reinforcement method but my dog is smart enough to know that I don't have treat around. More seriously, my dog has a high prey drive to begin with so he would go for running bike, child, squirrel, etc. After two months of positive & prong correction, he knows that the cat is the alpha in the house and behaves nicely to the cat with my existence.
how many times a day should you practice this our dog is reactive but gets super excited when she sees the cat and screams and barks they've met face to face the cat stands his ground and isn't afraid and will hiss to give her warnings if she jumps a lot.
Hey! How is the training going? I would practice this once or twice a day. Each session should be 5 minutes (max 10). The more gradual you are at integrating them, the better the result. Your dogs ability to engage in training in the presence of the cat is the indicator you are looking for that you are creating a constructive training session. Food should not be the only thing holding back a reaction. Meaning, if you stop giving food and your dog reverts back to excited behaviors - jumping, barking - this is a sign that you should make your training set up easier. Let me know if you need more support. Best, Alyssa Rose
I believe that's a pit bull. I have one of those, very hyper. this will help
Thanks for the video. I'm fostering a black mouth cur that's about 2 yrs old. We adopted him out as a puppy. Fast forward 2 years....He was found as a stray & the owners wouldn't reclaim him, so he's back at our rescue. He's showing aggression. He's lunging at the dog crate i put a cat in. He's hyper focused. After working with him all day, I'm able to get him to break his stare & look at me. I've started teaching "place" "stay" "come" & he's doing really well. But I'm thinking about getting him a muzzle because I don't know if I can train that IMPULSE out of him. He bites at the cats, runs around the crate & growls. NOW I of course stop the behavior before it escalates. This breed is known as the "cat-killer" I can't imagine his owners allowing him to hurt small animals & it's a relief to know he was born in rescue, so we kind of know his history. It's just really scary how he immediately decided he wanted to bite the cats.
I'm hoping getting a solid stay & leave it will help him to cohabitate BUT am I right to get him muzzle trained before he meets cats no matter how good i get his obedience?
Hey! Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner. I know that my advice might be difficult to implement in a rescue setting but I'm going to put this here in case it's helpful to you or anyone else that might be reading this thread. I would keep the dog in a harness and leash and try to set up training sessions that keeps the dog at a distance that allows them to calmly engage in training. That's the criteria. If the dog is able to see the cat and check-in, settle on a mat, come to my side - I know the set up is good. This could mean that the cat is positioned 25 feet away. If the dog is hyper fixated on the cat, barking or lunging - I know I need to give the dog more space. This is important for the dog, it's also important for the cat. We create short (5-10 minute) training sessions that have a high probability of setting the dog up to practice calm behaviors. These short, successful sessions build on themselves. This also ensures that we're not causing unnecessary stress for the cat. Slow and methodical training leads to lasting and reliable results. I do use safety measures like the harness and leash and the carrier. If the training occurs inside a home it can also be helpful to use baby gates and exercise pens to create an additional buffer and to act as a back up if another safety measure fails (ie. the leash breaks). Redundancy is key to keep everyone safe. I prefer harnesses, leashes, baby gates, exercise pens.
That being said, I'm cautious about using muzzles in this training scenario. This is for two reasons. 1. Muzzles can lead people to dismiss behaviors that indicate that the dog is at their threshold or over-threshold. Flooding the dog in this way would be counter productive in training. 2. They can also create stress and frustration that could adversely effect the training. The dog can "trigger stack" the dog that could be counter-productive. Muzzles have their place, and I support the "muzzle up movement," and the idea of changing public perception. That being said, I do think there is something to gain from conditioning dogs to a muzzle. If I am working with a dog that is sensitive to handling/ restraint I will condition the dog to the muzzle as I work on exercises to help the dog through their sensitivity to being touched. The muzzle can be very valuable in this case if the training hasn't had enough time to catch up to the physical care needs of the dog, specifically regarding vet visits or grooming.
If you have adopters that would like more support or guidance in training, they can always train with me through my online classes. Behavior modification requires time. Each class is six weeks in length and can be done individually or the training can be done as a series. If the training is done as a series it would coach people through a six month training program. It's an effective, educational and affordable approach to behavior modification. If this is something that might help your rescue, you can learn more by going to this link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
Great video. Is it ok to make your dog sit when they get excited to see a cat. I read somewhere it's bad cos it makes the dog feel like a sitting duck however no matter how hyped my dog gets she has no problem sitting as soon as I command her to but I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing even though it works. So instead I leave her standing which keeps up the hyped reaction.
Lisa M this is a really great question. This really depends on whether your goal is to manage behavior in the moment, or to train your dog to be calmer in the long term. Telling a dog to sit when they’re hyper-excited can be like holding a cover on a boiling pot of water. It usually temporarily contains the excitement, but eventually that excitement is going to boil over. When it comes to training dogs to be calmer with any type of distraction /trigger I usually start off by creating strong reinforcement histories for checking in with me while the dog is standing, sitting or lying down. When I start working with real world challenges i reinforce for check-ins and let the dog choose whether they want to stand, sit or settle into a down. If they are too excited to offer behaviors I take this as an indication that criteria and conditions need to be simplified. Progress is certain because training is based on a feedback loop. Thanks again for your question. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks for your reply. By "check ins" I take it you mean getting her to look at me and not the cat and then rewarding that? "A lid on a boiling pot of water" is the most accurate description Ive ever heard of my dog. 🤣🤣
I have a 11 month old pitbull/husky and a year old cat , my cat sees my dog and automatically becomes a sponge , my dog sees my cat and he starts whining and shaking from his mouth , I’ve tried to give them few minutes of exposure so they get used to it but if my dog were to be free he would attack the cat , help!!!!
D'Angelo Gianni hi, the first step here is a solid management plan. I like to use extra tall, vertical baby gates to keep dogs and cats separated. The goal is to keep your cat safe, but also to make sure that your dog doesn’t have the opportunity to practicing chasing the cat. The more opportunities your dog has to do this, the more of a habit it will become. This means training will take longer without good management. The second step is to begin daily training. 1-2 sessions each day that will be about 5-10 minutes in length. Your dog will be on harness and leash and you will be feeding your dog’s breakfast or dinner during this time. If your cat is on a feeding schedule (which is a good idea!) you can feed your cat during this time too. This will be a process. It might be a couple weeks or a couple months. Be patient. If you need more support, you can go to www.legendsdogtraining.com to set up s consult by phone or Skype. Best, Alyssa Rose
Alyssa Rose thank you! This was a useful tip , happy holidays!
Ok that is great, but my dog is not the issue. My cat is going after the new dog. How do you train a cat to not be afraid of the dog? I’ve tried all the slow integration techniques, as soon as their loose in the same room together, the cat goes after the dog.
Apologies for the slow response. Have you seen any improvement over the last month? The training protocol works both ways. The goal is to build calm, positive associations with your dog. To achieve this you need to take the slow and steady path. Lots of controlled exposures where your cat feels safe. I usually start off with a cat carrier on the opposite side of a baby gate (to help the cat feel protected) and eventually build up to having the cat on harness and leash. This is to prevent the cat from fight/ flight behaviors, while still creating a set up that helps the cat feel calm/ safe and prevent the dog from over-stepping the cat's comfort zone. There's lot of creative ways to make this happen, but crates, baby gates, harnesses and leash are going to be necessary tools in the process.
Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
yeah but what if the cats been already introduced she seems to always back away from the dog and the doggo isnt even that much larger than my cat the dog is quiet and calm so i dont really understand what her issue is. not to mention its the same thing around people too
This is such a great video- sharing w a few of my clients who are having cat issues! Xoxo
We have a difficult situation. We adopted a 2yr ood female GSD a month ago who had had a bad life up until then.
She had been taken as a puppy to a big factory to be a guard dog. It hadn't worked out and she was being bullied and attacked by the other dogs (she has the scars to prove it)
The manager eventually felt sorry for her and found us to adopt her.
She is very nervous and defensive with our other dogs, but sweet and loving with people. She also learnt the house rules within a week.
Now the problem... A week ago my son brought 2 6wk kittens home. They have been kept in a separate room and she is guarding the door 24/7.
We tried to today to introduce one of the kittens and it didn't go well - she attacked.
So here I am looking for answers. My previous GSD adopted the last kitten and they played every day, so I have no experience in this situation.
Hi Greg, Thanks for watching and reaching out. Right now I would focus on creating a calm, safe environment for your dog and for your two kittens. Double barriers, for example, two extra tall baby gates, or an extra tall baby gate and a solid door. It's better to have a gate that swings on a hinge, than one that you have to step over and could accidentally be knocked out of place. Progress is possible, but it's not going to be an overnight process, so make that you have all the necessary safeguards in place. Next, you are going to want to begin to lay down a good foundation, one that promotes trust and communication. This is the bedrock on which all good behavioral training is built. I would start by focusing on relaxation exercises on a training mat. My training programs were initially influenced by Karen Overall's relaxation protocol whose training helps dogs regulate stress and arousal. If you have any interest in training with me, here is a link to my training classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ I have a new class starting this week. Best, Alyssa Rose
That's good that I have one dog that's easy it's my other one who I'm having a hard time with
Let me know if you need any additional support in training. I have online classes starting that go through foundation exercises that are essential for behavior modification. The class that I recommend for integrating dogs and cats is called "Calm Connections." If you're curious to learn more, here's a link to those classes: www.legendsdogtraining.com/live-classes/ Feel free to reach out with questions. Best, Alyssa
That's a beautiful dog, and i love the name!
I just got a cat and there is also a pitt in the house (who is mostly well trained and does his best to be a people pleaser). Cat has been with other dogs before and is pretty laid back. He's only moderately suspicious of the dog in my house. Hasn't hissed or spit since the first night. The dog however is a 2 year old pitt, not neutered, has tons of energy. He is REALLY trying his best to ignore the cat while I've been working with him, but I don't want to overwhelm him. How much time a day do you recommend I try with this training process? I've only had the cat for 3 days so I've only done 10-15 minutes a day. I want to be successful! (Success = dog recognized cat is not a giant squeak toy). As of now, dog can sit, lay down and roll on his side with the cat being a few feet away- but he cries and yawns while doing it and sneaks glances at the cat.
@Tabitha Hilliard - Sorry for the delay in responding. How is the process going? I recommend keeping sessions short. Ten minutes twice a day is ideal. Key to success is patience, and setting the dog and cat up so that it is relatively easy for them both to be calm and successful in each training session.
How can i do if my dog is not treat oriented?
Will this work if you have 6 cats?
we got a dog today who came to the shelter as a stray with no training whatsoever.
ok so i rescued a kitten, she’s 14 weeks old now, i’ve had my GSD for 4 years, he’s my literal baby🤣 he has a high prey drive (chases squirrels and birds etc) but with my kitten he whines loudly when i’m playing with her or when she’s running around, but he wags his tail steadily in a mid position, and will go in a play bow when she runs up to him at the baby gate. he also does lip licks around her. when she’s stuck her paws thru he’s tried to grab them with his mouth, so i’m wondering if he’s being aggressive or if he’s curious as to what she is and wants to play? he’s never growled at her or gone completely stiff, he’ll stare her down and whine/wag his tail but i can’t tell if he wants to attack her or play. she wants to play with him i can tell definitely. i’ve kept her in a separate room and worked on intros for 2 months now. also have recently done intros while she’s free roaming and i have his muzzle on him and he’s leashed in a place next to me, they’ve touched noses and nothing happened (with and without muzzle)
Hi! My name is Alyssa Rose, I created this video. The key thing here is that he isn't over-excited by the kitten. Even if he's not aggressive, he could still unintentionally hurt the kitten if he's not able to think through his excitement. My recommendation would be to focus on relaxation training. This is training that focuses on conditioning a calm physiological response. This is what we did with Ludo (the dog in the video) n the first 3 weeks of training, before introducing him to the cat. You can look at Karen Overall's relaxation protocol. I also teach a variation of this in online classes. If you are interested, here is a link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Mat Work would be the best starting point. The first 3 weeks focus on the foundation, and weeks 4, 5 and 6 look at how to use that foundation with real world triggers, like the resident kitten. Hope this is helpful! - Alyssa Rose
Thanks. I have a pitbull who is a savage and a new kitten so im gonna have fun
The key is to create a safe environment with barriers. I usually encourage double barriers in case a gate or a door is left open accidentally, there's always a back up. This type of training can take anywhere from 1-6 months depending on the temperament of the dog. The key is to work at your dog's pace. Plan for 1 or 2 10 minute sessions each day. Use breakfast and dinner if possible (it's helpful if both dog and cat are on a good feeding schedule). Use a harness and leash and focus on classical conditioning at the beginning: feeding your dog in the presence of the cat without worrying about having your dog offer behaviors (that can come later). Avoid having your dog approach to sniff the cat, this usually makes things worse. If you need more guidance you can always consider signing up for my Mat Work training. This is the foundation that the dog in this video had before attempting to do any training with the cat. If you're interested in checking it out, here's a link to my classes: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Best, Alyssa Rose
What is the clicking sound for?
Hey! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It's a clicker. Clickers are also referred to as "markers" as they "mark" the moment a dog does something we like and predicts reinforcement. The word "yes" or the word "good" can also be used as a marker. There's pros and cons to both. The reason trainers will sometimes use clickers over verbal markers (like "yes" or "good" ) is because the novelty of the click makes for a stronger association. People are more likely to be consistent about pairing the sound of the click with food. That being said, I wouldn't go out and buy a clicker yet. One of the benefits of learning how to be more mindful about how you use words like "yes" or "good" is that it can create a positive ripple effect on verbal cues like your dog's name or the word "come." In the last 6-7 years I've focused mostly on a few key words and the use use of gestures, hand signals and body language to improve connection and communication. Thanks again for watching and if you are ever interested in more formal training you can check out my training classes at www.legendsdogtraining.com My "Mat Work" class would be the one that is most applicable to training calm behavior with other resident animals like dogs or cats. Best, Alyssa Rose
Are you still available to give training plans? We are in a similar situation but the dog is 10 x more exited and the cat 10 x more scared. Thanks
Hi Charley! I offer consultations where we would discuss behavior patterns, training goals, and outline a training and management plan. It’s usually about 1.5-2 hours in length. I also have a virtual class for reactive dogs that I am teaching through the Humane Society. It is well suited for dogs that are hyper-excited with the resident cat, it can also work for dogs that bark and lunge on leash. It is one hour in length, meets once each week by Zoom and runs for six weeks. The ideal would be to do a combination of the two. If you are interested in more information about the consultation you can check out my website www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining thank you very much