All people once wondered: “Why don’t dogs like cats?” The main reasons are due to the fact that animals have different behavioral patterns, but are also predators. This together creates additional competition between animals, since their instincts force them to survive each other from “their” territory.
But what if you need to make friends with pets living in the same place, but they desperately refuse to understand each other? You can deal with the problem by studying the features of the psychology of pets that encourage them to show aggression or distrust. And, of course, introducing them correctly and controlling your behavior in their presence.
Differences between cats and dogs
Cats and dogs are at odds because they are the opposite of each other. Main differences:
- Behavior. Dogs are sociable and friendly animals, but they make a lot of noise, demanding attention (barking, running). Cats, on the contrary, love peace and quiet and watch what is happening from a safe distance.
- Temperament. Dogs are energetic, inquisitive and impulsive. Cats are indifferent, unperturbed.
- Body signals. Cats and dogs demonstrate emotions differently. A dog wags its tail when it communicates its interest and affection; cats, on the contrary, threaten and show that they are irritated. However, this does not apply to all breeds. Savannahs, for example, (a hybrid of a wild serval and a Bengal cat), on the contrary, wag their tail, showing their interest.
Method four - weaning off reacting to neighbor's cats
It is also possible to train a dog to stop attacking cats on the street. At first, your pet will have to be taken out for walks only on a leash. Allow him to walk freely only in places where the appearance of “striped predators” will be excluded.
- Take your pet out into the yard on a leash. If he tries to chase the cat, use the "ew" command. When your pet is on a leash, it is easier to stop him. However, it is necessary to ensure that you do not have to restrain the tearing dog, but that he stops on his own after your command.
- To prevent your dog from feeling threatened by cats, try to attract its attention to you. Behave calmly, reward your dog for paying attention only to you, without being distracted by the presence of other animals.
- Train your dog to always follow you, even when you let him off the leash. Practice the “near” command using a clicker or treat. Praise your pet for good behavior and for strictly following commands.
- If you live not in an apartment building, but in the private sector, try to enclose your yard with a fence. This will significantly reduce the risk of unwanted “tailed” guests appearing on your territory.
Teach your dog not to react to the appearance of street cats. Whenever your pet tries to show aggression, use the “fu” or “sit” command. Be sure to reward good behavior with a treat or kind words.
Legends and myths
There are a huge number of legends and myths about the feud between dogs and cats. The most popular is a Chinese folk tale.
According to legend, a dog saves a girl, who turns out to be a princess. To thank the dog, the king issues a decree in which he promises each dog a home and plenty of food. To spread the news, a scroll containing the king's will is tied to the savior's tail.
The dogs decided to have a feast, and so that the decree would not be lost, they gave it to the cat for safekeeping. When in the morning the dogs wanted to return the valuable document, it turned out that it was lost. The cat, in turn, claimed that mice had stolen it.
The dogs did not believe the cat and attacked her to punish the culprit. Since then, it has become a tradition that dogs hate cats, and the latter are at enmity with mice.
Method three - using a clicker
It is sometimes possible to wean a dog from approaching a cat using a clicker. You can buy it specifically for raising your pet. The device produces a clicking sound when you press a special button. The dog begins to respond to the click and associate it with the “correct” behavior. You can buy this device online or at any pet store. How to train?
- The pet must get used to the clicker. The click should be made immediately when the pet performs the command correctly. A calm attitude towards the cat should also be accompanied by a clicker signal;
- After the click, be sure to give your pet a piece of treat. The dog must understand and remember the connection between exemplary behavior and the click, and then between the clicker signal and the reward;
- During training, imitate the movements of a cat. This complicates training, but allows the pet to get used to living together with other animals;
- Place your dog in front of you, say “sit” and begin to quickly back away. Stop. If your dog stays put, click the clicker, praise him, and give him food.
It will not be possible to train your pet not to react to a new “neighbor” in one day. However, he will gradually remember what behavior deserves praise. Use the “fu” command if your pet starts chasing the cat. Praise your dog constantly if he follows commands accurately. While running after the striped one, stop her with the command “fu”. If she stops chasing, click the clicker and then treat her with a treat.
The main reasons for hostility between cats and dogs
Animal psychologists have identified 5 main reasons explaining the dislike between a dog and a cat:
- The cat avoids communication. This leads to the dog actively trying to make friends and causing even more irritation. Sometimes the dog gets so playful and starts chasing the cat that it looks more like aggression than a desire to communicate.
- Dogs with developed hostility and bitter experience (pit bull, bull terrier). This case is more often typical for fighting breeds, which have a subconscious level of suspicion towards any other species. Enmity also arises after an unsuccessful meeting, for example, a cat severely scratched a dog or scared it.
- Hunting breeds (beagles, dachshunds). These dogs at the genetic level equate the cat to prey status. For them there is no difference between a raccoon, a fox or a cat.
- Incorrect socialization. This mistake is made by the owners when a new family member appears. Therefore, when a puppy or kitten is brought into the home, it takes patience and skill to ensure that the animals become friends with older members of the pack. Often 1 week is enough for the dog and cat to find a common language.
- A special enzyme. British scientists have discovered that cats secrete a substance that can cause aggression and agitation in dogs. However, this reason does not appear in all representatives.
“A pack of dogs tore the kitten apart in front of the girl. I understood what needed to be done.” Doghunter's story
I'm not a flayer. I have a good job - my own small construction company, and I do not kill animals for pleasure, which is what the inadequate people are trying to accuse me of. This is a necessary measure that allows people to walk safely around the city.
It all started three years ago. There was a pack of 6-8 aggressive dogs in the yard. Several times they attacked passers-by, who had difficulty fighting them off. One day this pack tore a kitten apart in front of the children. The eight-year-old owner of the kitten would also have suffered if I had not been around. I drove the dogs away. The same dogs later bit the neighbor.
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I contacted the municipal catching organization, but the dogs continued to run. I called and asked why this was so, and they told me that the flock had not been found. I realized that the state is not coping with this area.
Then I understood what to do and solved the problem using my own method. I read the instructions on the Internet, went to the pharmacy and bought the drug. It is safe for people, but kills animals quickly and painlessly. He fed the dogs bait with poison. The dogs died within minutes.
Some people, driven to desperation, feed rats or minced meat with crushed glass to their dogs. Animals die in hellish torment. I have a negative attitude towards this. We must do everything wisely.
After that, life in the yard became calm. And I realized that I did everything right. I didn’t feel sorry for these dogs - I didn’t want to wait, as it could end in tragedy. And it is more humane to euthanize stray dogs than for them to suffer every day in search of food. They eat bones every day, but poison is enough once.
After that, I began to read more about it on the Internet. In special public pages there are many people who call themselves dog hunters, but do nothing for the city. Among them there are also ordinary flayers, but I do not approve of their activities. Animals can only be killed for food or protection. Real dog hunters behave quietly and hardly make contact. They understand that there are too many inadequate people around.
Through city public pages I found out where help was needed. The problem of stray dogs is very acute. The dogs gather in packs and begin to guard the territory. Cases of attacks on people are constantly being recorded. The main victims are women and children. Do you know how many people write to me asking for a recipe because they were sick of the yard dog.
In total, I killed 30 dogs, which, in my opinion, posed a threat to people. These are packs of three or more dogs. I fed some dogs bait directly, and in others I just left it in the trash. If possible, when this happened before my eyes, he got rid of the corpse - he took it by car away from residential areas. In my free time I hunt wild animals, so it’s common and not difficult for me to do this.
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I believe that I bring benefit to people. But I receive threats on social networks every day. It’s even funny, since limited people write this. “First you kill dogs, then you will kill people” is a favorite phrase that people write to me all the time. But not a single dog hunter shouts that people need to be killed, unlike “animal defenders” who threaten and wish for death. I try to prevent domestic dogs from eating the poison. Dog hunters will not poison the one that goes muzzled with the owner. We are only interested in stray aggressive animals. There are also calm dogs among strays. Such people are rarely affected by dog hunters. We are not flayers.
I sometimes invite people to come to my office, but 99% suddenly become busy and refuse. But there are other cases. For example, one girl promised to find me and punish me. I got tired of it, and I invited her to my place. As a result, we drank coffee, listened to each other’s position and parted as friends. There is a stereotype that a dog hunter is a small, insecure and downtrodden person. For many, when they see me, this opinion changes. It's fun to watch.
There are, of course, adequate animal rights activists. It is pleasant to conduct a dialogue with them, they can argue their position and are sometimes ready to cooperate in solving a problem. I have nothing against it when animal rights activists take dogs from the street and give them homes. This is good and correct. The main thing is that in a couple of months this dog does not end up on the street again.
But most often, animal rights activists place the value of animal life above human life. This is fundamentally wrong. Any animal activist who is faced with an attack on him or his loved ones dramatically changes his position towards stray dogs. And many of the users who write insults on the Internet have nothing to do with animal protection at all. Armchair experts do not understand the essence of the issue, but they attack people with a different opinion with aggression.
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Some of my friends know that I am a dog hunter. Most people share my position. There are those who disagree, but cannot answer questions about how to change the situation. Our people always know what needs to be done, but all this remains at the level of talk.
Mr. Cat recommends: how to make friends with pets?
Golden retrievers, pugs, and Maltese are peaceful with cats, and making friends with them is quite easy. Things are more complicated when a puppy or kitten is brought into the house, and the older pet does not make contact for a number of reasons (a dog of a fighting or hunting breed, the pet has been the only animal in the house all its life, etc.).
In order not to worsen the situation and allow the animals to get used to it, you should:
- Do not put pressure on the cat or dog. If you start beating or scolding your pet, this will not speed up the dating process. In this case, you need to be patient and give him time.
- Keep in different rooms. A new inhabitant causes stress; in order for an older pet to get used to it, it must have its own safe place. Over time, having gotten used to the new smell, he will show interest and try to get acquainted.
- Feed separately. Animal psychologists recommend giving food to the older animal first, and then to the new one. Thus, the pet will not feel deprived.
- Show more attention and praise. A new family member is always exciting, but don’t forget about your older pet; he shouldn’t feel abandoned. He must remain loved.
Method two is to train the dog to stop unwanted actions.
If you intend to teach your dog to respond to cats, you will have to teach him to clearly respond to commands.
- Hold a piece of meat in each palm. Bring one hand to your pet's nose and let him smell. Your pet will understand well that there is a “yummy” sandwiched in the palm of your hand. The hand should be kept clamped, not allowing him to get to the treat;
- When trying to get the contents of your fist, pull the dog back and say “ugh”. She must clearly understand that you do not like her behavior. It is important to ignore her behavior and ensure that she stops all attempts to get to the tasty morsel;
- When the pet obeys the “fu” command, praise it and give it a treat from the other hand. Giving treats from a clenched fist that the dog wanted to unclench is not allowed.
- The exercise must be constantly repeated in order to bring the execution of the owner’s commands to automaticity. The dog must, on command, stop trying to get a treat from a clenched fist and sit in front of the owner.
Once the command has been sufficiently practiced, start using it in the presence of the cat. As soon as the animals are nearby, say “fu”. The dog will remember the command and associate it with a treat clenched in his fist. It is important to ensure that he leaves the cat alone at the command “fu” and does not perceive the “tabby” as prey.
Risk for kittens too
Dogs can pose a risk to cat babies. Mother cats are forced to leave their habitats while hunting. A hungry dog doesn't care much about who or what becomes its prey. Because of this, cats would do everything possible to not only hide their kittens as securely as possible, but also to instill as much fear in the neighborhood dogs as possible.
Verbal cue differences
When studying the behavior of animals, one cannot fail to note such a feature as verbal contact. The same movement has completely opposite meanings:
- For dogs, wagging the tail means a friendly mood; for cats, it is a signal of irritation.
- Stretching out in an arc, the cat prepares to attack. The dog does not understand the signal, reaches out to sniff, for which he gets hit on the nose with his claws.
- By raising its paw, the dog demonstrates its desire to play. For the cat, this action looks threatening.
- A cat's purr means pleasure. The dog grumbles to warn of an attack.
Misunderstanding of verbal signals is another reason why these animals lack love for each other.
There is no beast more terrible than a cat
The truth of this saying can be proven by a self-confident cat. Despite the fact that dogs cannot stand representatives of the cat family, they, in turn, are not at all afraid of them. This is one of the reasons why cats often get into fights with dogs. Instead of immediately running away at the sight of an approaching dog, the purr hugs the ground and carefully analyzes the situation. You can often observe how a cat gracefully and slowly walks in front of a dog, as if teasing. If danger arises, she easily retreats to the nearest tree and does not look scared at all.
Method five - make the cat unattractive to the pet
Try to create unpleasant associations in your dog with chasing a cat. Use any methods that are harmless to the animal׃
- sharp sound;
- cold water;
- dissatisfied tone;
- citrus-scented spray, etc.
Try spraying water on your pet if he chases the cat. The dog will remember the connection between chasing the “striped” and cold water. You can show with your voice that you are annoyed by your pet's bad behavior. Every time, let him know that his actions cause your dissatisfaction.
The pet must realize that when it actively reacts to the appearance of a cat on the horizon, the owner will be angry. You cannot shout at the dog, hit it or sharply pull the leash. You need to reprimand the dog in a calm tone with dissatisfied intonations. Animals perceive their owner’s moods very well.
If you cannot cope with the problem, contact a dog handler. He will help with training and give recommendations for further training of the dog.
Foraging
Competition for food and edible waste was most often one-sided. Dogs occupied a more advantageous position when they were close to people. Cats had to rely on their natural agility to avoid various troubles.
Guardian correspondent John Bradshaw once studied the behavior of wild cats in a Turkish village. One year, cats were everywhere and obtained food by begging for it from local residents and tourists. The following year, packs of dogs were already roaming the streets, and the journalist got the impression that the cats had disappeared. He thought so until he looked at the village from above and saw that the cats had simply moved onto the flat roofs. Most likely, they went down in search of food at night when the dogs were sleeping.
Division of territory
Both types of pets mark their territory and defend it throughout their lives.
It is generally accepted that cats always run away from attacking dogs. But that's not true. If a furry individual is in its territory, then it will not run away, at least not immediately. If a dog appears, even if it is passing by, the cat will rear up, hiss and begin to slowly advance in order to scare away the unexpected guest. And the dog, feeling that it is stepping into forbidden territory, will most likely run away. This law applies to domestic animals that live on private plots.
Happy together
Pets living together under the same roof are usually friends. Partnerships are always formed in different ways:
- creating partnerships immediately (conflict-free animals);
- by patronizing one pet (previously acquired or older, or more responsible) over another;
- with the help of human education and conciliatory procedures (when the characters are complex and the furry ones themselves fail to establish peace).
The enmity between the two predators has no clear explanation. Dogs do not eat cats, but they can inflict fatal wounds on them. Most often, the reason can be found out by assessing the temperament of specific animals and examining all the circumstances of the conflict.
Play and curiosity
Puppies, exploring the world, often try to play with felines.
It's all about boredom, curiosity and the desire to communicate. It is not difficult to escape from young animals; they are clumsy and not so fast due to their age. And the matured predator becomes a dangerous rival for the pussy.
Cats are observers by nature and rarely make acquaintances with canines. Therefore, her reaction is to quickly retreat to a safe distance from the playful animal.
Resentment
Here is such a dog going about its important business, and then a cat appeared to it a little in the distance, waving its tail disdainfully. Of course, there is an urgent need for communication (if the past positive experience) or catching (if the experience with the cat was not very successful). And the cat quickly climbs onto a tree or other vertical surface and from there wags its tail invitingly and still dismissively. How can one not bark out of resentment?
Sometimes our pets try to take out aggression on cats, which they cannot show to the owner or the dominant members of the pack. With their aggressive behavior, they try to move up the hierarchical ladder to a higher position. The same applies to behavior in a flock of street strays with tails.
Dogs also have mental deviations in which they will always be aggressive against cats. In this case, even professional help will not always work.
