Or at least play with it's head.

The players:

Male intact GSD, 3yrs old. Good behaviour, not an alpha.

Male tomcat, 3 yrs old, rescued from pound 1 yr ago.

So, the tom comes into our home when the dog was 2. Cat was traumatized from pound / stray status. Hid under bed for 6 months.

Now he comes out, but the dog pounces him when he can. Very interested in the cat, sniffs around the bed when the cat is under there. Dog has gotten scratched a couple of times (the cat has all his claws), and while it puts him off for a time, he always comes back.

Thoughts, ideas?

Thanks!

Here is an article about properly introducing your dog and cat.
You should not be letting the dog just sniff around the bed as he pleases while the already terrified cat is hiding under there.

I normally have a state of constant 'flux' in my household dynamics. Dogs come and go, puppies come & go, cats come & go. Currently I have 7 indoor/outdoor cats and 3 indoor only unspayed females. I have 3 Shih Tzus and Bogie.

Some cats never get used to the dogs. Some cats LOVE the dogs and will actually wrestle with them. Some cats -- depends on the moon.

Key is to have a 'safe place' for the cat. If he prefers under your bed -- get a baby gate and keep the dog out. IF the cat ever wants to come out -- he can get over the baby gate. My cats have 2 cat trees, a tall chiffarobe, and shelves where they can 'get away from' obnoxious dogs.

If the cats run, the dogs will chase them. It's programmed. To some of the cats it's a game, to some they are convinced the dogs will eat them alive. My oldest male cat (neutered) has raised MANY puppies and taught them respect of cats and claws. He does NOT run, no matter what the dog does. He will sit and stare them down until they sheepishly apologize and turn tail. "Oh, sorry man. I thought you were another cat. I'll be going now."

Your cat may never LIKE the dog (& vice versa) but they can learn to tolerate each other pretty easily -- IF the cat can always escape to a safe place.

 Quote: Mitchell Tracy

Or at least play with it's head.

The players:

Male intact GSD, 3yrs old. Good behaviour, not an alpha.

Good that you realize that this isn't a dominance issue.

Now he comes out, but the dog pounces him when he can. Very interested in the cat, sniffs around the bed when the cat is under there. Dog has gotten scratched a couple of times (the cat has all his claws), and while it puts him off for a time, he always comes back.

Read the articles already linked, and just let me say, don't declaw the cat to fix this problem. It's unspeakably cruel. The dog's interactions with the cat should be 100% managed. If you don't have a crate, time to start scouring Craig's List.

 Quote: deb collier

Key is to have a 'safe place' for the cat. If he prefers under your bed -- get a baby gate and keep the dog out. IF the cat ever wants to come out -- he can get over the baby gate. My cats have 2 cat trees, a tall chiffarobe, and shelves where they can 'get away from' obnoxious dogs.

Yes, although I'm not a cat owner, every successful "mixed" household I know has high places for the cat(s) as well as gates.

Our bedroom is off limits to the dogs. We have an "attractive" (less ugly than the plastic ones) wooden pet gate from which we removed two of the middle spindles. Cats can fit through; dogs can't. Getting Falcon was stressful enough to the cats - let alone him poking his big nose under the bed at them! They absolutely need a safe, quiet place.

You don't want the dog injured by the cat and the cat should not lose its claws to protect the dog from injury...

Thanks, All, will read the linked article.

The cat's not losing his claws, never fear!

The dog, however, may lose some fur if he keeps this up. The cat already nicked him once!

Fur is the least of the worries, deffinitly get to work on this you dont want your dog to loose an eye which could happen with one claw swipe so fast before you have time to react not worth it. I worked for a vet for 7 years and I have seen that a couple times its not pretty. Keep the cat nails as short as possible just as a precaution. I have 4 cats and our 11 month GSD 3 of the 4 cats are approchable by the dog the other is not eveyone knows their place and limits and yes give the cat a place to be free from the dog.

I am on board with everyone's suggestions, but I would like to address:

 Quote: deb collier

If the cats run, the dogs will chase them. It's programmed.

Chasing cats should be controlled the same as chasing wildlife. I have 4 dogs and three cats. Our youngest dog (high drive F Shepherd) would gladly chase the cats, but she knows darn well she is not allowed. Because of this, all of our animals can peacefully co-exist because they know their boundaries.

I would give the cat it's space - but start now teaching your dog that when the cat is out to leave the cat alone. If he approaches your dog, teach your dog the "leave it" command and have him ignore the cat.

This way no one is chased. It sounds like your cat is really coming along well and he may become more affectionate and confident once he sees that he can come out of the room and be with you and the dog without any stress.

Although some of my cats LIKE to play with the dogs and will *intentionally* lead them on a game of 'chase' -- just running fast enough to taunt the dog! It is hilarious to see!

Deb C.