Confusing behavior from our new dog

[vanallen25]

Now we don't know if it is play or not. Boots can be laying down asleep on the floor and then freaks out when the cat walks into the room. But when one of us brings the cat into a room, Boots just continues doing whatever it is that she is doing and ignores the cat. The vet ensured us that the two will get along and once the cat grows a spine and claws Boots once, he will run the roost again. We have been bringing the cat in and letting him walk/run back to the room he was hiding in while correcting Boots if she starts to get into that zone. Hopefully that works. We start beginner puppy classes on Tuesday so lets pray that works too.

Thanks again for all your advice. I will keep you informed as to Boots progress.

[Cinder & Smoke]

"New Dogs" and "I was here First Kats" can be a rowdy combination!

My Boots, da Kat (RB ) survived a LOT of new and permanent doggy house mates,
as well as more "visiting dogs" than one cat should ever have had to suffer through.

He always put on his "game face" and did his best to 'show no fear' ...
and I tried to help him out when the 'no fear' attitude failed him.
Our solution for overly 'friendly' or downright aggressive dogs was to tether the
offending mutt to my belt with a 5-6 foot leash at ALL times when the mutt was
inside the "Kat's House". Leash corrections to the dog are always possible;
and the Kat develops a bit of confidence to approach (or tease, if we're being realistic)
the dog without fear of great bodily harm.

It may take some time to knock the rough edges off the dog, but you owe it to the Kat
to restore his confidence to where he can once again stroll around HIS house without
having to constantly look over his shoulder for "That Darn DOG".

[Giselle]

If the dog is indeed fear aggressive, leash corrections will only increase the fear and resulting aggression.

If the dog is naturally timid and shy and rather undersocialized, corrections are not necessary and not recommended. Rather than correcting the dog, find a way to make it a positive experience. It's harder, but it's better in the long run. For example, I could smack my dog every time he peed in the house or I can teach him to sit by the door and ring a bell. I wonder which option would make both of us happier...