Cats and dogs can cohabit, but that doesn’t mean they will always get along. Sometimes, their instincts kick in, as seen in a viral TikTok video.
The footage, which racked up almost 468,000 views in three days, shows the moment a miniature Australian Shepherd named Layla notices her feline friend is up to no good.
The text layered over the video reads, “When your herding dog catches the cat misbehaving.” It shows Mochi, the tabby cat, nibbling on a pumpkin, but it isn’t long before Layla steps in to save the winter squash.
Layla can be seen staring up from the ground at Mochi, who is sitting on the kitchen worktop. Mochi then initiates a fight by threatening to scratch Layla, who is willing to fight as she jumps up and almost bites Mochi’s paw.
So far, the video shared by @greg.and.layla has amassed almost 90,000 likes, and many users have resonated with the scene.
“This is what having a sibling is like,” said one user, and it seems the owner agrees, as the caption reads, “It’s like having children.”
“I have a herding dog named Mochi and a tabby cat—we call him the cops; can’t do anything when the cops are around,” said one user, and the owner responded: “We always say exactly the same!!! We call her the police when she gets like this.”
“Your dog is giving me hall monitor vibes,” said a third user.
According to The American Kennel Club (AKC), Layla’s breed is “every inch a true herding dog.” They are described as energetic, versatile, and extremely bright.
4 Tips to Help Your Dog Get Along With Your Cat
Dog trainer Adam Flack of Adam Flack Dog Training, based in Hertfordshire, England, provided the following tips to Newsweek:
- “Understand you have two different species that you are trying to get to cohabit. Dogs and cats communicate differently and need time to learn how each other moves and engages with the environment. Learn their body language and look for early signs of excitement or discomfort. This is where you can intervene.”
- “Manage your environment and set them up for success. Keep the dog behind a gate or on a lead initially to prevent the dog from scaring the cat and causing it to run away. This won’t be much fun for your cat, and your dog might see it as a fun game!”
- “If your dog is chasing your cat, it’s likely because it finds it fun! Ensure your dog gets adequate exercise and rest, along with breed-specific games that fulfill its natural instincts. Terriers and Dachshunds usually love to chase, enjoying games like flirt pole. Herding breeds, like Collies, will want to control movement, so let them stalk and play with a football.”
- “Use play to teach commands like ‘leave it’ or ‘enough.’ Fulfilling play makes dogs more receptive to training because the reward is their favorite activity! If you can control their natural impulses in a simulated game, you’ll stand a much better chance of positively interrupting any undesirable behavior around the cat.”
Newsweek reached out to @greg.and.layla for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
A stock image of a dog and a kitten sitting on the sofa. Dog owners have commented to say their dog acts similar to the Layla, an Australian Shepherd.
Mateusz Borek/iStock/Getty Images Plus
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