Introducing a Gordon Setter with a Cat

Regardless of the mistaken belief, a lot of canines and cats can live together peacefully. Follow these easy to follow actions to find out how to best introduce your Gordon Setter with a cat.

1. Make sure your Gordon Setter understands fundamental commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ prior to meeting.
2. Set up a safe space for both your Gordon Setter and feline, where the other family pet can not enter.
3. Keep them separated at first, for the very first couple of days. Make sure both Gordon Setter and cat have had the needed shots.
4. Feed your Gordon Setter 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 ingest calmly next to the door, commence having meet and greets in a common place of your house. Keep the very first couple of sessions brief and calm with your Gordon Setter on a leash. Reward both animals for really good behaviour.
6. Continue these face to face sessions daily. Make sure to save your pets’ preferred treats for these sessions. If your feline wishes to leave, allow them to, however ensure your Gordon Setter doesn’t go after. Attempt ending the sessions well before any family pet reveals signs of stress or resentment.
7. When they appear like they’re getting a long well, let them hang around in the room with each other. If any stress appears, return back to the previous actions and redo them.

Why do Gordon Setters Hate Cats?

Not all Gordon Setters dislike felines, some get along with them. When Gordon Setters do dislike cats, of the most typical reason is quite simple. Like all pet dogs, Gordon Setters still keep some of the hunting instincts that they were initially bred for. This is why Gordon Setters like chasing after all moving items, whether it’s a ball, mouse, or a feline.

Given that many felines will flee when they encounter, it’s simple to see why they are known for not getting along with each other. Gordon Setters actually delight in chasing felines not because they dislike them, but generally because a quick running animal sets off a strong, natural instinct to chase overcomes any training or socialisation.

How to Stop Gordon Setters Chasing Cats?

Teaching your Gordon Setter to quit chasing after cats takes some time, training and consistency, but the benefit of not needing to fret about them continually chasing is very well worth it. Here are the phases of how to stop your Gordon Setter from going after felines.

1. Keep your Gordon Setter on a leash while loose when your cat is in the same room.
2. Whenever your cat is nearby to your Gordon Setter, stop what you are doing and get your Gordon Setter’s attention. If he pays attention, give him a reward!
3. Keep treating your Gordon Setter till the cat disappears. If the cat sticks around offer your Gordon Setter a chew treat or toy so they remain focused on their reward.
4. Regularly repeat the above phases and you’ll see your Gordon Setter instinctively sit and look up to you when they see the cat. Don’t forget to keep treating them!
5. If they are now immediately looking at you each time the feline remains in the room, they’re prepared to be utilizing a longer leash. If they still try to go after the feline at this moment reel them in and return to step 2.
6. Lastly, take the long leash off and allow your Gordon Setter and feline in the exact same area. At this moment your Gordon Setter ought to know not to chase after the feline, however if they do return to step 5.

How to Stop Gordon Setters Killing Cats?

The best technique to ensure your Gordon Setter would never kill a feline is to raise them with cats when they’re a puppy before 3 months old. At this age, they will generally wish to have fun with the cats and will not see them as prey.

If your Gordon Setter has killed a feline before, its ideal if you keep them in an open, fenced off area. When taking them for strolls try to avoid going after sunset and prior to dawn since that’s when felines are very active and likely to be wandering the streets.