The key to the introduction was actually given to me by Zeeke. We’ve been keeping them completely seperated, so I went in to say hi to Joey for a while, which of course causes Zeeke to get upset. So I took a few pictures and came out shortly. When I was loading the pictures onto my computer, Zeeke walked in the room and looked at the screen, then promptly started barking and doing his “THERE’S THE CAT!” act. I had to close the picture to make him stop.
So then I started using that - giving Zeeke treats for looking at the pictures quietly, praising him, alternating “good kitty!” and “good doggy!” It was small, but it was something.
By the way, after I had closed out the pictures I looked up other cat pictures online to see what Zeeke would do - absolutely nothing. No reaction at all. Only pictures of Joey.
After I took Zeeke for a walk today I put up the baby-gate in the bathroom doorway, got Zeeke on his training collar, then opened the door so they could see each other. MUCH better reactions from Zeeke. Working with the picture really helped. After watching the cat for a bit, getting treats for being quiet and sitting/downing on command, he was able to just walk past the bathroom with barely a glance inside. And Joey reacted much better to the non-barking, only puffing up a bit when Zeeke did start his vocalizations.
I think the “introduction” helped a lot. Now Zeeke is able to rest without searching for the kitty, as he’s seen it and seems to be okay with it now. I knew he just needed to check it out for himself, but I couldn’t let him do that because it would terribly frighten Joey. I’ll just keep working short intervals like this, treating and praising and keeping them both calm as I can.
