Training Idea's for introducing GSD to cats. - Page 1

I am looking for training idea's for introducing a 2 year-old male Gsd into our home.  We have 2 inside fully clawed cats.  Thank you for any wisdom you may have. 

Tammy Jo

Make sure the dog knows what "leave it" means.

I don't know much except for personal experience on my part.

Don't introduce them while the dog is in the crate. I always had better luck if the dog wasn't behind a barrier like that. I agree with policemom,...must know leave it or some type of command meaning the same.

John

My best success always came from introducing a kitten to adult dogs or puppy's to adult cats.

Adult to adult is kinda like bringing to strange adult dogs together, I think they have maybe territorial issues.

Absolute obedience with adults helps but I've never owned a cat that obeyed very well....:)

JMO

I might also add that by the time animals mature certain instincts are in place, predator prey instincts.

policemom says it all, your dog has to know what "leave-it" means,

and also words like:, "I'm watching you!" and "Don't eat the cat!"  "HEY!!!"

After awhile your dog will actually get bored with trying to chase the cat!

Although, every once in a while, my girl Sam grabs the cat's head like she's going to
swallow him, and I'm like, WOW.... Hopefully, she respects me enough to know that
if she ate my cat, she would then be on the sh_ _ list!

It also helps to have a big 2x4 in your hand when first introducing them.  It re-enforces the "leave it" command.

The last time I had to deal with this I just let the fur fly, they got along out of respect for each others ability to inflict damage.

Thats not what you want for sure.  How ever you do it sooner or later they will all get along, maybe...:)

I would be sure to have exercised your dog and have him very tired before trying this...and when introducing any new animals to another I always like to have one of them in a safe place...either in a crate or in a secure place where they can just smell each other and no one can get hurt...

~Bob~

A very good "leave it" is definitely a good thing. 

Two of my three are not good with cats, though one can be easily controlled around a cat.  But still do not trust her alone to not not a taste of cat.    My older female is truly cat keen, though if a cat really really stood up to her she would back down.  I've been told that if she was going to kill the cat, she would have done so already.  But, because she is so bad, the cat has a suite in the basement.  Where he will proceed to torture her from the steps.  There have been a couple of times where, there's been malay when we are not home and the cat has just gone and hid.  He's smart enough to do that.  He also knows which dog he get "play" with and which he can't.  Wish I could trust them together, but it's really bad.  Funny thing is that she's great with small dogs.  LOL   She'll literally quiver while staring at a cat.