Introducing an American Water Spaniel with a Cat

Regardless of the mistaken belief, a lot of dogs and felines can cohabit in harmony. Follow these easy to follow actions to know how to best introduce your American Water Spaniel with a feline.

1. Ensure your American Water Spaniel understands fundamental commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ prior to meeting.
2. Make a safe area for both your American Water Spaniel and cat, where the other animal can not get in.
3. Keep them separated initially, for the first few days. Make certain both American Water Spaniel and cat have had the needed shots.
4. Feed your American Water Spaniel and your cat on opposite sides of a closed door. This helps make them associate each other’s presence with pleasurable things.
5. Once they both can eat calmly beside the door, start having meet and greets in a common space of the house. Keep the first couple of sessions brief and calm with your American Water Spaniel on a leash. Treat both family pets for very good behaviour.
6. Proceed these face to face sessions daily. Make sure to save your pets’ favourite treats for these sessions. If your feline wants to leave, let them, however ensure your American Water Spaniel doesn’t go after. Attempt ending the sessions just before any pet reveals indications of tension or violence.
7. When they seem like they’re getting a long well, let them spend time in the area together. If any stress emerges, return back to the previous steps and redo them.

Why do American Water Spaniels Hate Cats?

Not all American Water Spaniels detest felines, some get along with them. When American Water Spaniels do dislike cats, of the most common reason is quite straightforward. Like all dogs, American Water Spaniels still keep some of the hunting behavioral instincts that they were originally bred for. This is why American Water Spaniels like chasing after all moving items, whether it’s a toy, mouse, or a feline.

Because many felines will escape when they come across, it’s easy to see why they are known for not being friendly with each other. American Water Spaniels actually delight in chasing cats not because they hate them, but mainly since a quick running animal activates a powerful, natural instinct to chase overcomes any training or socialisation.

How to Stop American Water Spaniels Chasing Cats?

Educating your American Water Spaniel to quit chasing after cats takes some time, training and consistency, however the reward of not having to stress over them continuously going after is very well worth it. Here are the phases of how to stop your American Water Spaniel from going after cats.

1. Keep your American Water Spaniel on a leash while loose when your feline remains in the same space.
2. Whenever your cat is near to your American Water Spaniel, stop what you are doing and get your American Water Spaniel’s attention. If he pays attention, provide him a treat!
3. Keep awarding your American Water Spaniel up until the feline disappears. If the cat sticks around provide your American Water Spaniel a chew reward or toy so they remain concentrated on their treat.
4. Consistently redo the above phases and you’ll see your American Water Spaniel instinctively sit and look up to you when they see the feline. Don’t forget to keep treating them!
5. If they are now instantly looking at you every time the feline remains in the room, they’re all set to be utilizing a longer leash. If they still attempt to go after the feline at this point reel them in and return to step 2.
6. Finally, take the long leash off and permit your American Water Spaniel and cat in the very same space. At this moment your American Water Spaniel must know not to go after the feline, but if they do return to step 5.

How to Stop American Water Spaniels Killing Cats?

The best approach to ensure your American Water Spaniel would never ever kill a feline is to raise them with cats when they’re a puppy before 3 months old. At this age, they will usually wish to play with the cats and will not see them as prey.

If your American Water Spaniel has actually killed a cat previously, its optimal if you keep them in an open, fenced off space. When taking them for strolls try to prevent going after dusk and prior to dawn because that’s when cats are very active and most likely to be wandering the neighborhoods.