Oh no! Now what do I do?

[kittycats_delight]

Vixen used to have outdoor time on leash on in arms. She never door darted. She got out once cause someone (not sure who) didn't make sure the door was locked and Artica opened the door. When the guy upstairs seen the door open he closed it so Vixen got locked outside. Vixen was outside about a half hour. When we got home there she was sitting on the step waiting for us. She raced me to the door to get back in.

Phoenix is an occasional door darter. She has a curiosity about outside. She doesn't wander further than around the steps though.

None of the others have any interest at all.

I am with Karen on trying the 'restrained' outdoor time. If he knows he can go out with you then maybe he will be satisfied as he is getting what he wants. The baby gate idea is good too. At least it gives you a chance to see if he is lurking. My suggestion for Bruce...stick to his butt like white on rice and keep at him about watching. He will get tired of you telling him and will be more attentive.

[Freedom]

Water squirt bottles, set handy at all the doors, to stop him the moment he approaches.

My first cat, Amber, was a stray I brought inside. He was not pleased at this. SO we compromised. I got him a leash and harness, got him used to that, and out we went. I was living in the apartment complex back then. We HAD to walk around the building, every day: sun, rain, snow, ice, cold, heat, did not matter. When it was time (which varied day to day), he would stand at the door to the hall and MEOW! MEOW!

I had an extension leash, and it had to be fully out, so he was 10 foot from me. When we walked through the parking lot side of the building, sometimes my sneakers would make a noise on the gravel. HE would stop and look at me over his shoulder: QUIET BACK THERE! I ended up calling our walks his "jungle cat in the wild" time, lol. He'd pretend I wasn't there, and poke about, checking under bushes and shrubs, peering around things, having a grand ole time. LOL

[catmandu]

My Found Cats would be door darters if I had not enclosed the front and back porches!!!

Juke Joint Joseph was especially good at escape, but then he would want back in in an hour or so.

[Taz_Zoee]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I'll respond to each without quoting them.

Tracey, the only thing about putting something by the doors is that is a pain when we let the dogs in and out so much. Plus that would be another thing I'd have to teach Bruce to deal with.

Karen, a baby gate wouldn't work on the sliding glass doors. PLUS he could jump over that. And again, it would be a hassle with the dogs. He does wear a collar. He was afraid of the bell when he was a baby. I do have his name tag and another Harley tag that clink together, but not like a bell would. I could try that. I also do have a harness and leash for him. I've put it on him a couple of times but we've never ventured outside with it. My only concern there is he will ALWAYS want to go out if I begin to let him have outside time. I don't think I want to do that. I think Bruce might agree with me on that one too.

Jennie, that is an idea. Get something that would startle him and keep him away from the door. Although, I thought the dogs would do that last night. This boy isn't afraid of much. The vacuum, the whole house fan and when I turn the shower on are all that I've noticed startles him.

Michelle, luckily when he does get out he doesn't dash away. He calmly walks and the first time I was able to catch him before he got under the bushes. The second time he was a little faster. But he leisurely strolled under the bushes sniffing and meowing. And luckily when I did approach him he didn't run. He let me pick him up. However, I'm afraid if this happens too many times he'll realize that when I go to pick him up that I'll take him back inside and he'll start to run from me. Oh, and I will (and did last night) talk to Bruce about Jax. Told him to be EXTRA careful when going in and out and letting the dogs in/out. I will continue to do this everyday!! In fact, I think I'll call him later to remind him.

Sandie, we tried squirt bottles to keep him off the kitchen counter. It worked the first couple of times. After that he would just stand there and squint his eyes while we squirted him. GOOFY cat!!

Gary, I wish we had enclosed porches. That would be soooo nice!!!

Again, I am concerned about the outside time. I'll discuss it with Bruce and see what he thinks. I mean, it is why I got the leash and harness in the first place. For now, I will try stomping my feet at him to get him away from the door. Last night I just picked him up when I let the dogs in.

Thank you all so much for the ideas. I will discuss all of them with Bruce and see what we can agree on.