Ok...so I've been trying to get my dog and cat acclimated to each other for the past several weeks. I read Ed's article on the subject (thanks Ed) and have been putting his methods to application.

My dog gets very excited when he sees the cat. Maybe a few barks, but mostly whining and seems to get really hyper. It almost seems like nervous energy. I am having trouble distinguishing if he would be aggressive or if it's merely excitement. I am correcting him with a simple "no" everytime I see him paying any kind of attention to her (whining etc), if he barks the correction gets knocked up a notch. I've found that if I catch him at the whining / interested stage, it rarely elevates past that so usually a "no" is all that is required.

I'm not to the muzzle part yet...but I think I will be soon. I guess the question is, how do you interpret aggression (or something that could turn into aggression) vs. simple curiousity and excitement. The same question applies to other dogs. He gets really excited and whiny, and it doesn't seem like he would do anything to endanger himself or another dog...but I'm too afraid to find out.

Your suggestions and insight please...

I would not gamble. The cat runs the dog can chase and bite it. I saw one kill a cat years ago.

Use a remote collar and cut the chances.

100% agree. Also, ensure the dog is exercised *thoroughly*, in other words work the dog hard so that it's practically dragging its tongue on the ground. It will be less hyper and more attentive to direction and correction.

Simple curiosity- calmly walking up and sniffing. Excitement can easily turn into aggression by means of prey or other ways. Don't forget, a tired dog is a good dog so make sure to implement lots of mental exercise as well as physical exercise. Below are a couple resources off the top of my head for e-collar training, the video comes highly recommended by many.

http://www.leerburg.com/318.htm Leerburg video on e-collar training
http://www.loucastle.com/critter.htm Article on using the e-collar for halting "crittering," the act of unwanted chasing of animals.

Some dogs may never be fully trusted with cats. Be prepared for that.

My dog did the same thing you are talking about--it was excitement and very extreme interest, until the time he let his desire get the best of him and on into the cat he ran, nose a sniffin (of course I'm on the side saying NO, but it happens fast) and WHAP, on the nose with the claws is about all it took for my young dog to learn to stay back and have a bit of respect for the cat already. SO glad he didn't have any serious injuries (ie: eyes, etc) But at the same time am glad he learned through natural consequence to "ignore" the cat.

He still has curiousity, but appears to honor her boundaries.

Is your cat de-clawed? If so, is there anyway to get the claws re-inserted? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Previous posts are good ones...good luck.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Yep...She's declawed in the front, but not in the back. My boy (intact GSD) is about 10 months old now, so I'm not dealing with a smaller puppy (got him when he was about 9 months old).

I'm planning on buying a few DVDs from Ed on the subject, remote collar included very soon (as soon as I get my bonus check for the quarter). I have some other uses for it beyond the cat...like the fact that he's 100% perfect on lead and won't listen to ANYTHING I say when he's off it and in the yard. Run away from Nate seems to be his favorite game. I correct him hard when I get him and drag him back to the point I commanded "hier", but he doesn't seem to give a damn. Hopefully the e collar will help in the process w/ the cat and everything else.

 Quote:

........I'm planning on buying a few DVDs from Ed on the subject, remote collar included very soon (as soon as I get my bonus check for the quarter). ..... he's 100% perfect on lead and won't listen to ANYTHING I say when he's off it and in the yard. Run away from Nate seems to be his favorite game. I correct him hard when I get him and drag him back to the point I commanded "hier", but he doesn't seem to give a damn. Hopefully the e collar will help in the process w/ the cat and everything else.

This is aside from the e-collar and the cat (which is a great plan).

The way you're trying to train the recall isn't working for you. If you can get the Basic Obedience (#302) DVD as well, you'll see a very effective way to train the recall. You have an older pup who (sounds like) has not been trained effectively, and I would start over with the recall if this were my dog....... especially if he has been called to be corrected. JMO.

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4179753

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4179368

Good luck! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> You are making a wise decision to get the DVDs.

Have you ever tried work with a long line? It's possible your dog has realized he cannot goof around when on lead. The long line would help reinforce commands at a distance. So would the e-collar, of course! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Front declawed doesn't help the cat much, but at least the rear claws and teeth are still there. Just remember, her first line of defense has been taken so she may be even more on edge around the dog.