I am a new member looking for some advice or training tips for a Black and Tan Coonhound. We adopted our dog when he was eight months old from a shelter. At that time he had no basic training, he did not know his name or how to sit on command. The previous owners decided he was not the breed for them because of his loud baying bark, and that he was not trained. That was seven months ago, today he has come along way with training. He is very loving and a great part of our family. The only thing that we have been having trouble with is his reaction to our neighbours cat. If Monty catches site of the cat he goes balistic, tring to get out of the house at it through the glass sliding door. I've read that it is a natural reaction for most hounds. I was hoping someone maybe able to give me some advice on what I might try to do to let him know that it is alright. I'm afraid that he is going to hurt himself. If this is not the site I should be looking on I aploigize and ask that you guide me to a site you may know of. I tried a coonhound site but received a very negative response because we do not use Monty for hunting. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I would think this is a natural response for a hound. I would desensitize him to cats, if possible get one that tolerates dogs well, put your B&T in a crate and let the cat run around the house so the dog gets used to the sight of a cat. If this is not possible, I would talk to a professional trainer or behaviorist about this. I have the same problem with my Dobes.

It's tough with hunting dogs and any other pet. I have 2 redbone coonhounds and they have a flexible agreement not to chase the cat when I'm looking. They chase my ducks, my songbirds, and anything smaller than them. I am looking for an alterative activity as a forum to teach him about good interaction with "prey" so I have an opportunity to reward him when he obeys his hunting nature and disuade him when he hunts in inappropriate situations. Any ideas? For your dog, I would try a loud "no" when he first goes to the window and starts barking, then re-direct his attention (take him for a walk in the back yard, play with him in another room where he can't see the cat, engage him in some way that is a stronger pull for him). Try to catch him doing something right and reward him - even if it's just watching another dog or bird calmly, reward him and give it a name. Maybe you say "good quiet" and he learns that sitting quietly is the behavior you want, not just what you don't want. It may also be not just a hunting instinct reaction, it may be territorial. Try letting him bark two or three times to let you know there's a nasty bad cat getting close to your yard, reward him for telling you, then re-direct his attention. Hope this helps!

Was the dogs reaction to the cat the same right from day one?
What would happen if the dog had contact to a cat?
Is there any way to keep the cat out of your yard?
Is there anything that the dog would want more then to act that way when he sees the cat, like a bone or treat or toy?
Have you tried the pennies in the can to distract the dog when hes going balistic.