How to Stop a Dog From Bothering a Cat

Teach your dog the "leave it" command. With your dog beside you and leashed, place a flat treat such as a piece of beef jerky or dog equivalent on the floor and cover it with your foot.

Allow your dog to see and sniff the treat by lifting your foot and pivoting your heel to reveal the treat. Make sure the dog knows the treat is there.

Cover the treat with your foot any time the dog attempts to pick up the treat. Repeat this several times until your dog no longer attempts to take the treat. Add the phrase "leave it" each time you cover the treat. Praise and treat your dog for leaving it reliably. When walking your dog, reinforce the training by putting a toy or treat in his path and telling him to "leave it" so you can practice the command.

Enter the room where the cat and the assistant are. Be sure you have a tight hold on your dog. Enter slowly, making sure there is a lot of space between you and the person with the cat. Have your assistant hold the cat.

Have your assistant kneel on the floor while holding the cat between her legs. Slowly bring the dog over to meet the cat. Have the assistant hold the cat steady while the dog comes over to sniff at her.

Ask your assistant to gently and repeatedly reassure the cat to let her know she is safe and the dog cannot harm her. The trick is teaching the cat not to run because that will trigger your dog's prey instinct. Allow the dog to sniff the cat.

Pick up your cat and hold her firmly in your arms. Enter the room where the dog is. You do not need an assistant for this, as your dog can be free inside the house as long as he is trained not to jump on you, risking possible injury to you, the cat and the dog.

Show your dog the cat in your arms. Make sure your dog can see the cat. Ask him to sit. Bend down slightly and allow the dog to sniff at the cat. Pet the cat reassuringly to keep the cat calm.

Say "this is Mommy's cat," or "Daddy's cat" over and over again while petting the cat. Offer treats to the dog all the time the dog is sitting and not jumping on you. Show the cat exaggerated attention and affection in front of the dog. This elevates the cat in the "pack" and shows the dog the cat has a high status with you, the alpha. If the dog hurts a member of the pack with such high status, he knows he will have to answer to you. Give your dog the "leave it" command if he shows too much interest in the cat. Further reinforce this lesson by feeding the cat first. Dogs do not think like humans. Your dog won't get jealous, he will get the idea the cat is higher in the pack which will make him think twice before bothering her.