dog and new kitten

Question
I recently got a new kitten. We have a 10 year old cocker Spaniel. He is a happy dog but has had the run of the house. When he sees the kitten he starts barking, whining and scrathing. when he is near he jumps at the kitten. I have tried keeping him on a leash and slowly letting him near. Nothing is working. He is getting more and more agitated with the situation as am I . Please give me some ideas to try. Thanks Laurie

Answer
Laurie,  Wow I guess it's time to teach an old dog new tricks!  This is my best advice from experience.  And keep in mind that whatever advice you hear, never put the kitten in danger.  You know your dog better than anyone.  IN most cases when an older animal is put with a younger one, the older animal is let's say annoyed, for many reasons he's probably used to be an only dog, and he now has to establish terriority,top dog and all that, and a young kitten is very playful and can be aggravating to say the least.  Putting him on the leash is only a good idea if you think he will really harm the kitten, more than just using jumping scare tactics. Sometimes putting him on a leash and holding the leash tight gives him a warning body language that something is going to be amiss, for instance, if your dog lunges at a passerby when walking.  And you see a person approaching and immediately tighten up on the leash, which is what you do when he lunges, the body language tells him oh somethings coming and he get's preped for it.  Instead you would see the person coming and with a relaxed leash give him verbal warning in the most soothing friendly voice say something like oh look someones coming it's ok and hopefully he will learn to be more relaxed when people walk by especially if you are too.  So long story short, don't leash him around the kitten and hold a tight leash because you are probably tense and restraining the leash thus making him tense.  Most of the time if you allow them to just work it out, in a week maybe 3 or 4 weeks in difficult cases they will.  Especially if the kitten gives him a good wack on the nose, funny how dogs earn a new respect for claws.  Give him reassuring talks whenever the kitten is around like this is a good thing and reward him for it.  In our home we have 3 dogs, 2 poodles and 1 very large lab.  And they all live together just fine.  Now the fun starts when a cat takes off and runs.  A dog will only chase a running cat, the dog runs when a cat stands up to him.  Especially if he has been introduced to the claw.  Give them time and reassure both.  If you are nervous then give them seperate space when you are not around.  And open space when you are.  Try not to yell everytime he starts to approach the kitten. just kindly say easy, If he gets in trouble every time the kitten is around he may associate your bad mood and him getting yelled at is only because the kitten is in the room.  Play with both and above all be reassureing and reward good behaivor.  Good luck! Cindy lou :)