raybear | Animal Farm like George Orwell

I'm "working late" tonight, which basically means I'm doing what I usually do at work all day except it's after 5 pm, because my class is at 6:30 pm right off the brown line Armitage stop, so it's easier to just hang out a bit here. So far I've read some articles on introducing dogs and cats into living spaces and the two most important things I've learned is 1) don't let them just fight it out because it will more likely end up in vet bills than a truce; and 2) Sophie could stand to be a bit more better trained. She knows the basic commands, just does not follow them well when excited or agitated which is generally her state of mind around the cats. She can be sooo spastic, and I don't really know what to do about that since it's a personality trait, not just a badly trained habit (though I know more consistent training would help). I know part of the problem is she needs more intensive stimulation and play on a daily basis, possibly in the form of an afternoon dog-walker. Why can't she just be lazy like her dad when it comes to exercising?

Right now the plan consists of supervised interactions and during the day while at work, the cats will get free roam of the house while Sophie is crated. I know it will just take time -- that's the one thing everybody says and so far they just haven't had it. Coming over once a week for a couple hours doesn't breed consistency. But hopefully a week or two of being in each others' faces will show some progress, possibly without killing anyone else in the household in the process.