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Chameleon · Apr 19, 2008, 09:24 PM

Does anyone have any ideas on how to train a 2 yr. old male schnoodle to not chew on cats? He's chasing my cats around the house and biting them and my cats are so submissive that they just lay there. I think he's just trying to play but I don't want him to accidentally hurt or kill the cats. Any ideas, please! So far that's the only problem I have with him.

simoneaugie · Apr 19, 2008, 10:27 PM

If the dog loves you, he will respond to your obvious displeasure when he plays with the cats. A cat who just lies there isn't necessarily submissive. Animals have far more patience and tolerance than we do. They know that the dog must be "trained" to be nice. If he hurts one of your cats, he will get slapped.

Crate him, or make sure they are separated when you are not there to supervise.

Chameleon · Apr 20, 2008, 01:02 AM

We just adopted him not even 24 hours ago. I have a spray bottle of water nearby. I think he's learning that baby ouch means leave the kitties alone... or it could be the almost full bottle of water he's been sprayed with.

bushg · Apr 20, 2008, 06:25 AM

I would put him on a lead and keep him attached to me every time he went for the cats I would correct him. When he learns that chasing the cats gets him into trouble then he will leave them alone. When one walks by him and he ignores it praise him. Another thing you could try it walking him around the house on the leash past the cats time after time and when he looks at them tell him to leave, off, ouch whatever word you choose. This is not going to be something that he learns in a hour if he has been allowed to do this for 2 years of his life. When you are not home to watch him make sure that. You do not leave them in the same room.

wolf1rich · Apr 20, 2008, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by Chameleon

does anyone have any ideas on how to train a 2 yr. old male schnoodle to not chew on cats? he's chasing my cats around the house and biting them and my cats are so submissive that they just lay there. I think he's just trying to play but i dont want him to accidentally hurt or kill the cats. any ideas, please! so far thats the only problem i have with him.

A water bottle, a "growling" no command and numerous squirts from the bottle. The instant he starts towards a cat, bang, nail him with water and a big NO!!

jcdill · Apr 20, 2008, 10:45 AM

Here are some additional tips on how to do these corrections:

1) You have to give him a chance to "start" the undesired behavior, then correct him. Don't hold him on a tight leash that never gives him a chance to start after a cat. Give him slack so he can start, then be corrected. This is how he learns to hold himself in check.

2) It's easy to see the behavior you don't want, and "correct" him for it. It's harder, but MUCH more effective, to watch for the behavior you WANT, and PRAISE for that. This is something you have to train yourself to do. When you do this, training the dog becomes more fun (we always enjoy rewarding more than correcting), and more effective.

Good luck!

teachnk · Apr 20, 2008, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by simoneaugie

If the dog loves you, he will respond to your obvious displeasure when he plays with the cats. A cat who just lies there isn't neccesarily submissive. Animals have far more patience and tolerance than we do. They know that the dog must be "trained" to be nice. If he hurts one of your cats, he will get slapped.

Crate him, or make sure they are separated when you are not there to supervise.

My apologies to Simone! I did not read your comment carefully enough. I now realize you were referring to the CAT doing the SLAPPING! Unfortunately it does not appear that it is possible for me to edit my comment.