Heather, I would make the cats "off limits" period. It is going to be very, very difficult (imho) for your dog to understand "the cats are okay if I just do this but if I do "this" I get zapped". It may all be play in his mind, the mouthing, pawing and chasing, so how do you correct for one type of playing but not the other? I hope that makes sense... I know what I'm trying to say and hope it comes across.

Plain and simple, since his attention toward the cats is ramping up, teach him "leave it" and include the cats.

It's a nice picture, competing preditors laying in quiet repose together.
Aaaah, isn't that nice.

Slap!
Oh yeah this is the real world.
I agree with Barbara. Either let the dog eat the cat for dinner, or teach avoidence.
See, you do have a chioce.

That can be done as well.

And what should I correct him for, exactly? He is always watching the cats..and in like the second clip when he can't see them he is watching FOR them. Should he be not allowed to keep surveillance for them or should I only teach him 'leave it' when he physically tries to approach? I want to teach him clearly and I don't know if being able to watch them is rewarding for him and building up the problem.

Will he eventually settle into the mentality that they are not for play? Someday I'd like to let him have some freedom in the house..

It depends on how a dog is looking at a cat. You know the difference when you see it. Is it an intense stare which blocks out everything else going on or is it natural curiosity and just seeing what they are doing? Falcon has yet to relax completely around the cats, but if he is on his place, in the afternoon after a day of exercise and play, and they come in the room, he is far more able to watch them walk across the room without looking like he is itching to give them a run for their money (although I always have his remote in my hand when the cats come out). Early in the day, prior to burning off energy, all bets are off and if he sees them, it is with a very intense look... which is why I don't trust him with the cats. With that said, six months ago I held very little, almost no hope that we would be where we are today, so who knows how much better we will be in six months... meaning I have no idea where your dog will be a year from now, but it could be exactly what you want. Or not.

I would try to provide some other activity for him when he is looking for them... that is just going to build his drive and anticipation. Plan some marker training you can do to provide him some other mental stimulation at those times and make sure he is getting enough exercise! If Falcon isn't tired and worked, he is a completely different dog... For those times you can't stop what you are doing and work with him, a kong, a rmb, something... The more he fixates on them the more he will fixate on them.

Now I can't help but wonder if Dennis or Randy will follow up with a two sentence response that says all this in a far more clear, concise manner.

Nothing to add to that Barbara,
The cat is either off limits or fair game.

Of course what's fair for one is only fair for the other, if the cat wants to take it's life in it's own hands...shrug, the rest probably belongs in the thread about the dog's first raw meal.

No cats in my house.
Randy

Edited by randy allen (02/10/2010 07:29 PM)
Edit reason: stupid apostrophe

The only time I've ever seen him get the 'prey stare' and freeze up is occasionally when the less tolerant cat stalks by real slowly to avoid him. He will get very still, stop panting and his head will lower until the moment passes.

Any other time it's just watching them. He pants, he'll glance away occasionally, his ears will swivel around, listening, so he's not so fixated nothing else matters..it's just...well, that he watches constantly, especially so if they're moving around. If they're laying around sleeping for long periods he'll lose interest but get up randomly to check on them.

What's annoying is back when the cats were off limits the friendly one will come up and actively seek him as a playmate, I'm sure that'll make things much easier...

Maybe I'll have to stay armed with a squirt bottle in one hand, e-collar remote in the other.