Aggressive behavior toward cats/other dogs

Question
I recently adopted a pit bull mix from a no kill shelter in Ohio.  Tobey was found by the humane society at 2 days old abandoned, and he was bottle fed by the foster family he has lived with off and on for 2 years now.  Upon bringing the dog home, we took him on a walk and had to end it ubruptly because a neighbor was out with his dog and my dog went wild, snarling, barking, growling and pulling.  When he came into the house he chased every cat under one of the beds.  When we adopted him, the shelter informed us that he lived in a foster home with other dogs and four or five cats, and that he does well with animals.  We know this to be true, because we have been dealing with the foster mom, keeping in contact regularly.  But, we have learned the opposite to be true, and even last night he chased one of my cats around the entire house, opening his mouth and putting it on her midsection, but drawing no blood.  I know if he wanted to kill her, he would have, but she was so terrified she urinated all over herself.  Aside from these issues, he will only listen to "sit" and "stay" if you are offering him a treat.  I try to make him sit before putting the leash on him to go outside, but he gets up right away and gets very excited.  I don't know what to do, and if I can't find a solution he will end up back in a shelter, possibly never finding a home.  Please help, I'm not willing to sacrifice my cats for this dog, and I'd really like a second opinion on this just to be sure.  Thank you.

Answer
Of course, animals aren't interchangable. He might be fine with the dogs and cats he was raised with and had a established relationship with, but not see "new" animals in the same way. Plus, a lot of cats in foster homes are pretty blase about dogs and won't run. If your cat does run, that can trigger prey drive. Your best bet for a second opinion would be an in-person professional who can observe this dog's intensity, body posture, etc. for a better idea of whether or not this is "fixable" in your home. Almost impossible to say over the internet, and I would not want to risk your cats by venturing an opinion on a situation I had not seen.  So, I would suggest you ask your vet for a recommendation of a good trainer. Look on the internet - check out CCPDT.com, karen pryor academy, NADOI.org and IAABC.org for certified trainers in your area. In the meantime, I would keep the dog strictly managed (on leash, at the very least) in presence of the cats. It may be that this dog would be safer and better in a home without other animals. And those homes do exist. And since you got him from a no-kill shelter, sending him back is not a death sentence. Sandy Case BFA MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com