Doodles chasing cats

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

I have two labradoodle puppies - five and seven months old. We also have three cats 3, 14 and 15 years old. We have a problem with the doodles chasing the cats. The cats can no longer walk freely around the house unless I am right there to stop the dogs from chasing them. I know the dogs will calm down as they get older. Any suggestions to get the dogs to just ignore the cats. We had another dog who died a few years ago and she and the cats were best of friends. The cats really liked the dogs when they were smaller but since they are both over 30 lbs now, I am afraid they will hurt the cats by accident. I think they want to play with them. The cats are all less than 10 lbs each. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I don't know how to stop it but I would make sure the cats have a safe place, maybe gated off from the pups so they have a place to retreat and relax. It will be trying because if the cats run that makes it an even better game.

[Sandra]

Our Ozzie is best friends with our bengal, Micky. They are about the same age. He always tries to chase Satchmo, our black cat. Satch hisses and Ozzie walks away. Oz will be two years old now. He still tries to chase the cats outside though and there seem to be alot of them prowling when I walk him in the evening. I just turn him away from the cat and get his attention ahead of him. Hope this helps.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

We have 2 cats ages 7 and 12. Lucca used to do the same thing up until he was about 9 months. He is almost a year now. I always had a safe haven for the cats. There was a gate on the stairs so only they could go up. Lucca was on;y allowed upstairs under supervision. The cats are able to hang out on the chairs and table. The 7 years old enjoys being chased now that Lucca is calmer. The 12 year old tolerates him smelling her butt:) now.
When Lucca was younger if I saw him bothering one of the cats I would immediately pick the cat up and put him in a safe place and tell Lucca "no". My biggest fear was him getting too close and getting his eye scratched by the cat.
It gets better. Have patience. Right now they are a moving target and a game.

[Diana Allen]

Cagney is now 8 mths old and he goes after my 16 yr old cat as well.... I just have to remind him to be careful.... he like to bark at Tammy and pounce on him ... but so far the cat is holding his own... I know it is crazy and worrisome!

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

Thank you for all the information. I know the doodles will get better as they get a little older. I am trying to work with them each day to be careful of the cats. They are such sweet dogs. There was a show on Animal Planet - It's Me or the Dog on last week which had a labradoodle who also chased their cat. I am trying some of those suggestions and also the "leave it" command that was used in the training class I took them to that is suppose to get them not to touch something. I hope this will help. I would hate for our older cats to have to always stay on top of the furniture when the dogs are in the room. I do have a save place for the cats to go. The younger one of our cats is adjusting better to the dogs than the two older cats. The older cats run from the dogs which makes matters worse and it is hard for the dogs to resist the urge to chase. If you have any suggestions let me know.

[Allison and Sophie]

I have had the same problem with Sophie, no matter what I try it's just too exciting for her to not chase my poor cats. They have a safe area upstairs and the basement is all theirs as well, but anytime they try to go between Sophie is off and running. I'm hoping, like the others have said, that this gets better with age because I'm at a loss :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I feel like that is all I say all day " No Kitty Kitty. No Kitty Kitty" Aghhhhhhhhhh

I am glad some of you said this dies down. My cats are so sweet and he is just wants to play with them like they are puppies too. So sad.

I have placed boxes behind the couch so they can hide. Leave towels on high shelves. It would be nice if they could just walk to the food bowls though.

Some of the responses say there is hope. I'll keep hoping. The poor dog just wants to play but it is frustrating.

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

I am still having this same problem with the puppies chasing the cats. One of the cats has decided she is not going to be intimidated by the dogs and walks around more freely than she did. The puppies sometime corner her and lick her all over. Usually after they have been drinking water with a dripping wet beard. The poor kitty is wet from head to tail. The kitty looks at me with her ears turned back like - What were you thinking when you got these two puppies? Hopefully the time will come when the cats can once again walk around the house without being afraid. I have a gate on the stairs and only the cats can go upstairs. When the kitties are downstairs they usually stay on the back of the furniture.

[Eileen Ross and Cody]

I have the same issue. I have several baby gates so the cats can escape. One cat will tolerate Cody but my other cat who is not very social, hisses and smacks him. Thank goodness no front claws as Cody would be maimed. He pretty much will leave him alone.