Most pet lovers like having dogs and cats as part of their family. Hence, having a Husky that keeps running after your cat or any other it comes across during walks can be stressful. If that’s your situation, you may wonder, why does my Husky keep chasing cats?
Your Husky keeps chasing cats for self-reinforcement. The dog’s cat-chasing behavior is an instinctual response. Whenever the cat sees your dog and runs away, her reaction is to chase after the cat.
Also, huskies' predatory nature makes them chase small animals like cats, so untrained huskies may continue pursuing cats.
This article explains why the Husky dog breed keeps running after every cat it encounters and provides ideal remedies for taming this inappropriate behavior.
Let’s get started
Why Does My Husky Keep Chasing Cats?
Though sometimes huskies act like cats, they can be cruel to these small four-legged animals. There are different reasons your Husky continuously chases cats, including the following:
- Instinctual response
- Territorial issues
- Genetic traits
- Play
Read on.
Instinctual Response
Most Huskies have strong instincts to run after and catch fleeing animals like cats. This explains why most people say Huskies are so dramatic!
Therefore, if your kitty isn’t used to dogs and always runs away in the Husky’s sight, the dog's innate desire to chase moving things kicks in and starts chasing your cat.
If something goes wrong during your Husky's breeding, training, socializing, handling, or management, she can seriously injure or kill cats.
Territorial Issues
Some Huskies chase cats to keep them off their territories and protect their property. For instance, your dog may chase a cat to guard her food or toys.
Other signs of territorial aggression include lunging, snapping, biting, and growling.
Hence, you should quickly determine the specific reason for your dog’s behavior and address the matter for your cat’s safety.
Genetic Traits
Huskies' chasing behavior can be incredibly dominant because the breed has herding intuitions (strong prey drive). Any canine with herding attributes will always chase small fleeing animals and may take time to unlearn.
If you ignore your dog’s behavior, the feline family may be at risk of death from the rough handler. Ensure your Husky understands boundaries and limits.
Play
Huskies sometimes chase cats to play with them by gently mouthing them. An adequately trained Husky can still chase her feline housemates around your house to initiate a playing session.
Also, the puppy may view your kitten as a playing toy.
Sadly, your cat may not appreciate the chasing and constantly looks for a safe hiding place. As a result, the cat’s life becomes miserable.
How Do I End the Husky’s Chase Game?
You can stop your Husky’s chasing behavior in the following three ways:
- Redirecting the conduct
- Using a leash or collar
- Employing a clicker
Keep reading.
Redirecting the Conduct
Use positive reinforcement, such as your dog’s favorite toy or treats, to redirect her inappropriate behavior.
The strategy’s essence is that whenever your Husky wants to chase a cat, turn her attention to yourself while holding a toy or treat.
However, you shouldn’t reward your dog until she draws her attention away from the kitty.
The training exercise requires ample time and patience. With perseverance and consistency, you can permanently shift your Husky from unwanted conduct.
Using a Leash or Collar
A leash or collar is ideal when introducing a new cat or Husky to your home. They put a safe boundary between two pets, allowing them to adjust to each other before getting your Husky off-leash.
An e-collar is more effective and safer than a shock collar, as it minimizes the chances of your dog getting hurt during training. The former provides a low stimulation level whenever your dog misbehaves.
Also, you can include positive reinforcement in this strategy to discourage the chasing behavior.
For instance, anytime the dog wants to chase the feline, tell her to stop. Reward her with a treat or praise if she obeys your command.
Employing a Clicker
A clicker is a tiny handheld gadget you press to produce a specific clicking sound. It consistently and precisely marks appropriate behavior.
The conditioned reinforcer signals the dog of an upcoming reward for behaving correctly.
Use a dog clicker to train your Husky to ignore your kitty. Once you notice your pup desires to chase, command her to ‘leave it.’ Upon obeying the command, press the clicker’s button and reward her.
Be consistent in stopping your Husky chasing habit. Your dog will live well with the family cat as a result.
If all else fails, train your Huskies to like cats! For best results, start training the Huskies while they're young.
However, taking your Huskies to a training institute such as the K9 Training Institute is better. The training will take a shorter time than if you did it at home, and you'll also be guaranteed great results.
Parting Shot
Huskies are natural chasers who run after every small fleeing animal.
Your dog's reasons for chasing cats include institutional response, territorial aggression, hereditary traits, and the desire to play with her housemate.
Thankfully, we have provided three remarkable ways of stopping this unwanted behavior. You can redirect your pup’s conduct before it kicks off, train the dog on a leash, or use a clicker with positive reinforcement.
Be consistent and patient throughout the training to obtain the desired results.
You shouldn’t leave the two pets unsupervised until you're content they’re safe. Provide a safe escape place for your cat if she senses danger.
