I've just recently learned more about this thing called prey drive. Some of you might be interested...
One of the behavioral traits shared by both dogs and cats is something called prey drive. This is the instinct that drives a cat to ferociously chase a bug, a piece of string, or any other small, erratically moving object.
In dogs, the degree of prey drive varies from breed to breed and then again from dog to dog within those breeds. Many terriers have an over-the-top prey drive, developed from centuries of rodent hunting. The prey drive of many of the sporting dogs is shaped and conditioned into retrieving behavior: the human actually kills the prey and the canine simply fetches it without eating it. Prey drive is not always a problem in the more versatile working and herding breeds, who tend to be higher in defense (guarding behavior... such as the german shepherds I've worked with) and may have been developed to protect other species of animals that would look like dinner to a more primitive animal such as a wolf or a coyote.
Dogs who exhibit high prey drive should never be placed in a home where there are cats, ferrets, rabbits or other small animals. These are dogs who see every other species of animal as a potential meal. They also are the ones who tend to vigorously chase cars, bicycles and joggers. This doesn't make them bad dogs; most of the high prey dogs have sunny temperaments and do just fine with obedience commands. They just need to be more carefully placed than some of the other breeds. However.... as a pup when the prey drive is not developed, it's often difficult to know how strong this prey drive will end up being.
So... a word of caution....when your dog is off lead in your house, be prepared for him to take liberties. If his intentions have been proven as merely playful, you have less to worry about on the occasion that he does chase your cat. If you've been consistent with your obedience training all along, a firm "NO CATS" might help reel him back in. If not, go back to on-lead training in the house. Try to anticipate trouble. If you notice that your dog is "stalking" the kitty, interrupt him with "NO CATS" and the command sequence. Then distract him with a little playtime and praise. If the cat is in the middle of one of those strange tizzies that come upon members of the feline species, be prepared to step in and control your dog. Even the most laid-back older dog can be persuaded to join in the fun when presented with a spinning, spazzing ball of fur.
To avoid serious trouble, don't expect your dog to blindly accept kitty's presence on your lap, on the kitchen table, or near any of the dog's property (crate, food dish, toys). Dogs live in a physical world and equate proximity with possession; in other words, a cat on your lap is "staking you out" in the dog's mind. A cat near his crate or food is a threat to his possessions and territory. This doesn't mean that you don't allow your cat her usual freedom in your home; it just means that you have to police your dog a little more closely at first. After the first few weeks, you'll learn what provokes cat chasing in your new dog, and he'll learn what the limits are regarding it.
The most important thing to remember in the whole cat/dog relationship thing is that we as human beings cannot be privy to what sets a dog off against one cat while he might tolerate cuddling from another. If you adopt a dog that you've been told is cat safe but you still have a problem, don't just assume that it will disappear. Take precautions, and don't leave them alone together without close supervision!
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