Some dogs have more hunting instinct than others. You will probably have noticed that during your dog’s socialization period. One puppy reacts with great interest to sheep and cats, while another does not even notice them. When learning how to train a puppy, you will realize that those dogs with a strongly developed innate hunting instinct are likely to cause problems later by chasing cats and other animals.

Cats and cattle in particular are seldom unmoved if a dog runs up to them barking. They run away and this just strengthens the hunting instinct. Remember that, once a dog has learned what fun it can be to chase after prey, it will be very difficult to prevent this behavior later. This is not puppy training tips, and therefore not funny, and certainly nothing to be proud of, if your dog frightens the life out of a possibly much larger cat by angry growling and barking. Put a stop to this undesired behavior at once, to prevent your dog from making a habit of it.

Once it has become an adult, you will have a dog with a problem. If your dog makes a move, for example by barking, or stands fixated and ready to spurt off after its “prey,” you must punish this immediately with a short, sharp jerk on the slip collar, at the same time saying in a low, angry voice “Bad dog.” Do not wait until it is halfway there, but correct your dog immediately.

If your dog is rather headstrong, take it regularly to places where there are cats or cattle and make this a part of the total education and training program, until the dog has lost interest in other animals.

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