Expert: Have4Paws - 7/9/2009

Question
I have a six month old beagle puppy, charlie, who is killing me with his desire to chase our two four year old cats.  One of them will swat and run from him, but the other ducks down or often just rolls over, only occasionally running from him.  When he does catch the cat, Charlie grabs him by the neck or the head, and has actually made his ear bleed grabbing him like this.  We yell at him every time he even shows interest in chasing the cats, but it hardly helps.  Is this something that he will eventually grow out of?  or are we doomed?

Answer
HI and thanks for writing to me, I know it isn't funny when it is happening to the poor cats but I got a smile on my face when I read this because beagles are scenthounds and genetically wired to do exactly what he is doing, chasing the cats and catching them! They have a high prey instinct especially a puppy who has curiosity combined with it and hasn't learned to curb his enthusiasm.

Instead of yelling which could be interpreted as you being one of the pack and howling (as they do in pack hunting) make some shake cans. They are made out of empty beer or soda cans, the beer ones work the best because they have thinner aluminum and make more noise. Drop about 10 - 15 pennies in them and the tape them over the top well with duct tape. Each time Charlie runs after the cat throw one of the cans at him. It can even hit him, obviously don't try to hurt him with it. It serves several purposes, dogs attention spans are very short and when they hear the can their train of thought is broken. You want to try and make it so he doesn't actually see it is you throwing the can so he doesn't become afraid of you, just the can. This is a wonderful training device for stopping any unwanted behavior like fighting, barking, jumping up on counters etc. Place them all over the house so there is always one in the ready but be careful that you aren't throwing one at him every minute for everything he does.

Properly done he will become an adult and when you pick up the can you will only need to give it a tiny rattle and he will stop whatever he is doing.

The other issue is that he should have been introduced to the cats in a very slow progression so he would have learned not to do this. It is not too late to keep them separated and only allow them access together for short periods of supervised time where you are holding on to his collar and correcting any bad behavior.

Hope this is helpful!
Have4Paws