So I am quickly learning that the "death stare" misplaced focus is completely a Husky trait - and Kairo has it. I can do NOTHING to get her to look at me short of having food (and I cannot hand back a fattened husky at the end of two months).

I know what games I played to get Ember's attention on me, and it took time but it was easy.

These games do not work for Kairo. They work as long as the food exists, but once they are gone, she will not look at me or react to any sound I make. She spends hours staring over the baby gate (usually at nothing, it would seem) and the rest of the time pacing inconsolably.

I am working on her exercise to stop the pacing, but I am not seeing any shift in focus. If anything, I am finding her LESS willing to look or work with me. I am hoping this is a time issue, but I need to know if not, how to stop it and redirect her focus.

To be honest, it sounds like she is missing her dad. Keep working with her and hopefully you won't get her trained right before your brother gets home! lol

To keep her from becoming a porker try using her kibble as her treats and factor in how much you've used and subtract it from her main meals.

Chances are she has seen or can hear your cat beyond the gate. My girl is hard to break as well. I push her. If she gets focused in I give her shove that throws her off balance and I follow it with a verbal queue. With time she will learn what is expected of her. Right now it's like you are working with a dog that has had zero training.

All of this makes sense. I will keep working with her. Today she seems a little more settled even though we haven't worked as much. Maybe I jumped in a little too fast.