"-Lost" wrote in message
...
the kitty hops up to go and play
so naturally she takes off running or something similarly silly and I
caught Demon after about 2 fast steps after the kitty.

I do not currently use leashes, because my dogs listen to me.

........look, it doesn't matter if your dogs were there first. To have a cat
live with dogs, you must make sure the cat is safe. This means never giving
the dogs a chance to chase the cat - ever. Put collars and leashes on your
dogs the whole time they're in the same room with the kitten. If your dogs
are so well trained they'll stay on a down/stay while the cat is in the
room, fine, you can do it that way. Are your dogs trained to never break a
down/stay? I doubt it. I know mine sure aren't.

it is most definitely a constant "no" or "sit down" battle with Demon.

..........are you giving treats for rewards? It won't be a battle forever.
If you do not - ever - give them a chance to chase the cat, and treat for
ignoring the cat, it will be virtually over in a couple of weeks - at least
for staying in the same room while you're present - not leaving them
together when you're gone. It is work, yes, but if you really want a cat in
your house, and for the cat to be safe, work is what it takes.

Also something else that is worrying me is Demon constantly panting.
.......he's stressed out perhaps. Maybe he'd like clearer rules and a collar
and a leash. Or perhaps he's ill. Keep an eye on him.

The kitty is not running from
her, just playing in her own little world and that seems to set Demon
off on the "chase the cat" trail.

........that's what you have to stop. Some dogs do play safely with cats,
some carry them around by their necks, but since this whole experience is
new to your dogs, you do not know how it will end up. Demon sees this cat
as something to play with. Keep him on a leash, reward him.

.......it's not a punishment to put your dogs on a leash. It's not unfair to
them just because they were there first. Although your other dog seems
fine, if Demon starts something when you're not home and the cat doesn't
have a safe place to go, usually another dog will join in. And you don't
know what could happen.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

"-Lost" wrote in message
...
I just
immediately assumed it must be a good idea because I have heard so
often of people using those collars.

.......you don't need a prong collar. A regular collar is fine - or a
harness. Put them on when the cat is in the room. If you don't want to use
leashes, keep your hand on the collar or harness. At the first sign of
physical tension, leaning, etc. say leave it, ignore, or whatever you want
to use. Dog relaxes, or looks at you, give a treat......good dog.
Repeat......repeat......repeat. It's not complicated. You don't need a
book. Just be consistent.....and never - ever - allow the dog to chase the
cat - especially in the house. The house is a safe zone for all.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Response from "buglady" :

it is most definitely a constant "no" or "sit down" battle with
Demon.

.........are you giving treats for rewards?

Yes. And so far Pudge is the only one getting rewards. The lack
thereof does not seem to bother Demon in the least.

I am going to go ahead and run with the leash training and see how it
works out. Is it OK to try Demon on the leash only, since Pudge is
dealing with kitty much better than Demon? Or should they both be
leashed?

Also something else that is worrying me is Demon constantly
panting.
......he's stressed out perhaps. Maybe he'd like clearer rules
and a collar and a leash. Or perhaps he's ill. Keep an eye on
him.

She. : ) Demon and Pudge are sisters.

I think the collar may be the ticket. In fact, from what little bit
I have been able to gather about the panting, she is getting really
excited. Whether it is good or bad excitement, well...

Thanks for all of the information and advice. I appreciate it.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.

Response from "buglady" :

"-Lost" wrote in message
...
I just
immediately assumed it must be a good idea because I have heard
so often of people using those collars.

......you don't need a prong collar. A regular collar is fine -
or a harness. Put them on when the cat is in the room. If you
don't want to use leashes, keep your hand on the collar or
harness. At the first sign of physical tension, leaning, etc. say
leave it, ignore, or whatever you want to use. Dog relaxes, or
looks at you, give a treat......good dog.
Repeat......repeat......repeat. It's not complicated. You don't
need a book. Just be consistent.....and never - ever - allow the
dog to chase the cat - especially in the house. The house is a
safe zone for all.

Gotcha!

Thanks again for all of the information, your patience, and advice.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.

"-Lost" wrote in message
...
I am going to go ahead and run with the leash training and see how it
works out. Is it OK to try Demon on the leash only, since Pudge is
dealing with kitty much better than Demon? Or should they both be
leashed?

.........since it's Demon that's having a bigger problem, I'd not have Pudge
in the room at all for a while while you're working with Demon and the cat.
It may get her to focus on you more. Is Demon part terrier? They have one
track minds.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Response from "buglady" :

"-Lost" wrote in message
...
I am going to go ahead and run with the leash training and see
how it works out. Is it OK to try Demon on the leash only, since
Pudge is dealing with kitty much better than Demon? Or should
they both be leashed?

........since it's Demon that's having a bigger problem, I'd not
have Pudge in the room at all for a while while you're working
with Demon and the cat. It may get her to focus on you more. Is
Demon part terrier? They have one track minds.

OK. Nope, neither Demon or Pudge are terrier mixes. Demon does indeed
have a one track mind though.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.