This is going to be harder than it sounds because he is really gets all worked up, especially when a cat enters this side of the house. That would be on this side of the gate, which is Herkimer's side vs. the other side which is the cat's side. Of course anyone with any experience with cat's knows that they not only ignore all sense of boundaries - they relish the chance to push or just ignore them completely!!!
Dexter is our big challenge - but he actually is working out to be our opportunity for training. Dexter adopted us the previous winter when he got stuck on our porch in-between the 2 big snowstorms we got. The deep snow coupled with the snow from the roof blocked off any exit from the porch - so we fed him, kept him warm and naturally grew attached to him. Being an outside cat, he decided to stay around - so we eventually had him neutered (hubby calls it 'Brain Removal Surgery) and let him move in. Dexter still likes being outside, and every day (once or twice) he comes to the kitchen door to be let out. He used to come to the same door to be let back in, but with the dogs (we've been fostering at least one dog since December) he now goes to the front door and knocks.... yes knocks on the door. Quite insistently, I must add.
This is Dexter:
Despite the fact that Dexter is not real amused at being a doggie chase toy, he still insists on being let out from the kitchen door (which is on Herkimer's side). And as soon as Herkimer here's the telltale ka-thunk of Dexter jumping the gate, Herk runs to find him and Dexter runs to find a hiding spot. Either Dexter is better at blending in than I can tell or Herkimer isn't that great at locating him... but if/when Herk spots Dexter it's chaos! Poor Herkimer's nose has been beaten up so many times, you'd think he would have gotten the idea -- but NOOOOOO...
So Dexter makes it to either the dining room table or the cat-tree, where he may or may not be found -- then to the table and frog tank next to the door - where is almost definitely seen.
With the help of Aja, my trainer and a borrowed E-Collar, this pattern has made it helpful to set up a training action. It does go a bit off if I don't quite move fast enough when Dexter jumps the gate and Herk finds him right away. But mostly (so far) we have it down. As soon as Herkimer moves to look or go toward Dexter I call "HEIR" (come) and unless he immediately turns toward me, I give him a zap (it is not set high - don't worry, just enough for him to feel it, not cause a shriek or yelp). So far, we are pretty successful at getting him to follow the command and he comes to me right away. I've also used the 'nick' button (a nano-second of zap) with the "Leave it" command if he alerts to the cats either through the gate or he has just seen Dexter in the kitchen. He has that one almost down. His attention to "Leave it" at all times has now improved ten-fold. (I only use the E-collar when working/dealing with the cats).
There has been one time, so far, that I was able to get Herkimer into a Sitz(sit) and he stayed focused on me (or at least didn't budge from his sit) while Dexter walked by and went outside. That only happened once, but we always have good days and bad days during training and I've only been at it formally with the E-Collar for less than a week. I did also get Herkimer to follow me back and forth in front of the dining room table, with Dexter on it, while using the Heir command. That was impressive.
I see improvements everyday (and a few back steps) - but there is no doubt this is the path to correcting the "Cat Issue". Since it also seems to strengthen the Leave It command, and seems to make the Heir command better too - that's a nice plus during our other training. Time will tell.
I just know that it will be SOOO nice to be able to (one day) remove that gate and let Herkimer have access to the living room. He gets so upset when we sit in there to watch TV, sit in the massage chair or read, and he can't! But I do need to give the cats some chance of having time with us as well. The two other cats (who grew up with dogs) are totally peeved at this new dog thing and won't even show their faces anymore on the Herkimer side. They used to sneak down at night, when Herk is in his kennel and snuggle with me on the bed, but they don't anymore... (pout).
Here is a picture of Herkimer sporting his new borrowed E-Collar:
And here is a picture of Herkimer being... well a puppy!
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