Hi everyone, I've found this board very helpful in the past, so I have a few more questions for you....
Our 18 week old GSD is a lovely dog, but there is a couple of things I would like some advice on. We have a cat who is also male and 18 months old, they used to tolerate each other and often almost play together. (They were so cute!) However just lately they have been getting more aggressive with each other, which worries me as the dog is about 4 times the size of the cat and often almost squashes him with a paw. The cat we thought, would get fed up with him and run off, but no the little b*gger just keeps going back for more, and I'm worried that one of them is going to get seriously hurt! Doesn't matter how often we separate them, they just keep going! They just seem to be constantly nipping (litterally) at each other, and its getting me down, as I don't want to lose either one of them.
Any advice?

My dogs have all been brought up with cats(until this year when I lost my last cat)The cat will dicate the play & if he decides enough is enough it will end believe me. I rescued a very large GSD 31+ inches at the shoulder & my cat weighed in at least that 6 lbs & was the size of the shepherds head. They played on the cats terms from the outset & I often found the cat with his front legs wrapped round Dessie's head & neck when the were playing. When Mouse had had enough he ended the play & slept in Dessie's bed until the day Dessie died. He was bereft for months afterwards too & never really got over losing his best friend

Your puppy is learning to interact with your cat & the cat is old enough to be boss, don't worry if cats don't eant to play they won't & I love to see them in good relationships

Thanks Moonmaiden, its a relief to know its not just my two! They are worse than the kids sometimes! Well almost....
I saw on your profile that you are a professional dog trainer, is it too late, or is it never too late to start classes with him? We'd been putting it off as we have a lot on at the moment, but I realise he will become a better dog with training now. He's not an aggressive dog, only barks at others when we're out, but its more out of fear I think than anything. Also how many and what lenghts of walks should we be taking him on? And one more thing he has a habit of biting his toes on his back feet when he's lying down at night, we think it might be his claws but are unsure of clipping etc....we will be taking him to the vet next week for his wormers and stuff, so we're hoping the vet will do his claws for us....
Thanks in advance

As hes 18 weeks old he's the right age to start basic training & going to training classes is a big part of socilization, your vet or library will have contact numbers I'm sure

I personally do not roadwalk puppies as I have the room for free running for my dogs, but no more that 20 minuntes or 5 minutes walk per month of age is what a lot of people go by

I had a GSD who trimmed his own nails & I never trimmed them in his 15 years, he had front dew claws that were never ever trimmed either. I have one collie now whos nails I trim & the other i dont & they both have the same exercise lol

A lot of non GSD people see the barking as fear or aggression when in fact it is part of their makeup they are a vocal breed(you should hear the GSD playing with the collie-she is all noise they are silent lol)They bark as part of play-literally hiya I'm here lets play bark & that is were the training clubs come in & they learn they don't have to bark to be friendly

I've just thought of another question (last one I promise) We haven't let him off the lead yet, to have a run around, partly because I'm not sure if I trust him to come back...lol, but mainly that I've heard its not good to let GSD's run and jump around when they are puppies because of their hips, although he does his share of jumping and running around our garden! He's also taken to removing the plants from their plantpots so he can play with the pots (some days I despair...lol)
Many thanks for your help though, Moonmaiden

Actually free running is the best exercise but only were he cannot get into trouble or danger open parks are not a good idea & you have to know he will come back & leave other dogs alone, which is were the training clubs come in

If your dog has bad hips they can be affected by over exercise like long walks too early.

As too the gardening par for the course with most puppies :) ?& they usually grow out of it