I'm sorry for being so general. Ok getting back to the cats. One of our cats is 10 years old, slow moving and who has no problem with our GS. In fact he hangs with us when we are out of doors. The other cat is 1-1/2 years old. He is the one who occasionally plays with the dog's ball and has once or twice nibbled on his food. I know that the previous owner also had a cat who ate the GS's food, so his behaviour is a carry-over from that time.
When I said he "lunges" at the cat, he moves maybe four inches towards the cat... doesn't really growl, instead makes a high pitched "woof" to startle the cat and warn the cat that whatever it is is off limits.
We tell the dog to "knock it off" or "NO" at these moments also if he's being territorial about his sleeping area, which can often be on the floor at the foot of my bed, or in the hallway. On the other hand, if it's about his ball, well he's right to take it away from the cat.
I don't mean to sound so naive, but it seems I am. We found our "Max" to be exceptionally well trained and responsive. So up to this point we haven't felt a need for further training. Max doesn't have a crate.
Thanks for your input Connie

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also if he's being territorial about his sleeping area

Could you please elaborate on this?

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We found our "Max" to be exceptionally well trained and responsive.

Different people, different standards. From what I've read, I wouldn't consider the dog "well" trained. Perhaps trained, but there is plenty of slack to tighten up.

Hi Mike, thanks for posting.

I've taken your suggestions to heart.
After this incident with the neighbour I've begun to take a good hard look at how we respond to Max. Let's just say we have alot of learning to do. My eldest son (the one who brought the dog home) knows the dog best and I suppose HE would be the pack leader, then myself, then my sister and then our youngest son. We are all adults in the family. I spend the most time with Max, I'm guessing I should be the pack leader. In hindsight, I know the three of us (my sister and I as well as my younger son have coddled him a bit too much, mostly at home.) We take him with us as much as we can and he's great in the car except for the time he went berserk over a skateboarder.
Funny thing, yesterday morning I took the dog for a quick walk on a short leash, my whole demeanor was different. Giving out instructions, not giving him freedom to investigate his surroundings etc.
He looked up at me with this strange expression on his face... almost a hurt confused look, asking.."why the change...you aren't the freedom loving Mistress I knew a few days ago...what's up with that?
In the winter I was able to let him run loose with me supervising. If I saw people approaching in the distance, I immediately called him back and put his leash on. He has one of those automatic extension leashes. (I have the feeling I should get another kind.)

Yes we all know what the truth is, thanks for clarifying that fact.

Glad you are willing to learn and improve

Also remember, there is a difference between being dominant over a dog, and being a drill sergent. The dog is still a family companion, your buddy to hang out with and have fun with. But its like kids, there is a time and a place to goof off, but when you say something they need to listen. The dog can sniff around and pee, but when you say heel it means heel. If you call the dog to come, he has to come, but he is free to do what he was doing before you said come, and he is free to go back to doing what he wants to do when you release him from the command.

Just gotta find that balance, you have to demand respect without being resented for taking away all the joys in life.

One thing I find with many people is that they take their dogs too personally. Like, if the dog ignores you or does something wrong, people tend to feel like the dog is doing this to them, as if intentional. They get mad at the dog, and they stay mad at the dog for a period of time. When working with your dog you need to be able to turn it off like a switch. You can say "No," but don't dwell on it, you need to be equally quick to be happy and fun right away when the dog IS doing something he's allowed to do, or performing the command he was given. This lets the dog know "oh, mom says No when I do this, but as soon as I stop she's happy as ever!"

You need to find your balance between letting the dog enjoy life, enjoying the dog as a family companion, and still getting the respect from the dog as a person that outranks him. Being too much of a drill sergent will make him resent you, there also needs to be a positive motivation for him, whether you are rewarding his obedience with food or a ball, or praising him for ignoring the mailman. Too little and the dog will walk all over you.

Hope that makes sense Good luck!

Hi MIke, I will try to elaborate.

It has more to do with him and "this particular" cat. Nine times out of ten, Max is sleeping on the floor at the foot of my bed. The cats might sleep on any of the beds in the house. If the cat approaches my bedroom while Max is there on the floor, he will let out that warning "woof" to run the cat off...saying "this is my place and you can bugger off."
Note: Max does not growl at any of our family members...ever. We can do whatever we like with/to him, around him and he won't bat an eye., no, I take that back, he will get anxious if there is a loud argument, raised voices, sorta thing.

"Different people, different standards" so very true. Thus far, we have had nothing to compare his training to. I meant "his being responsive to our directions" umm isn't that what we want.....

Our neighbour to the left trains Canada Customs "drug sniffing" labs. He is the fella who said Max was incredible and that whoever trained him did an excellent job.
So I guess he should know a little something about dog training eh?

Smiles, I understand what you mean. I wasn't being a "drill sargeant" by any means... that's not me at all. I suppose you'd get that impression from my post. I only wanted to see how quick he would be in responding to my directives on that day.
...and to answer your question, no, I am not "trained" to handle this type of dog.
I'm here to learn and understand what has to be done to make him the best that he can be.

Once again, Max is the most intelligent, responsive dog "I" have ever come across. He is a real pleasure to own and I want to do what's best for him as a member of our "pack" family.

Just as you said... you have little to add, so why add anything?

I hate to sound defensive but, there is something about the tone of your post MA, that causes me to defend myself. If you had read my earlier remarks, you might have read that this neighbour and I discussed having a fence erected (in the spring already) it has nothing to do with our dog. She begged off, letting me know that she couldn't afford having it done just now. I sincerely hope she isn't taking advantage of the situation.
I also said there was nothing in the dog's body language to alert me to a possible attack. I am in tune to what is going on around us and his response to people, sounds etc.
Max was lying in the shade of the apple tree, I was adjusting the lawn sprinkler and the neighbour lady was hunched behind the hedge. I don't want to "rationalize the event" I want to understand the animal's behaviour., Was he provoked by "something", was it an instinctive response what have you...and YES learn what do I need to do as the dog's owner to ensure it never happens again.

The only way I would ever let the dog run free in the back yard is if it were made secure on all sides with locked entry gates. As it is I am always with him.

Our dog will "never" go after me and what a ridiculous thing to say.

What exactly is your problem anyway?
PS. You need more than coffee my friend..

and you know what? I'll admit it...this is all my fault... not the dog's nor the neighbours....mine and I will and can own up to it.

Heidi, in the meantime, before you get the permanent fence up, have you considered an 'invisible' fence?

They aren't foolproof, but might give you some added assurance that your dog would not try to cross into the neighbor's yard again, especially if you use in conjunction with a long line.