I just took my GSD pup Max into the garden and he saw a cat...he didn't like it one bit.  He growled and jumped up at the fence the cat was on.  Now i know it is possible for a GSD to live in harmony with a cat as the breeder had several GSD's and cats.  I know socialisation is very important in this breed so i want to do it right first time round.

Cruel as it may sound but i was kind of hoping for cat to take a swipe and it may have calmed him down but it had the opposite effect and he went for the cat even more.

I will sometimes need to take Max to my mum's house that has 2 cats and so this is vital that i get him used to a cat.

regards

Graham and Maximus

the last thing you want is a swipe from the cat, you cold end up with horrible eye injuries, maybe even at its worst blinding the pup.

i dont have much experience on cats and dogs, but maybe have him on lead, when he goes mad try and get his attension with a toy or treat, then praise? im sure someone will be able to give more detailed advice.

Good luck
Gem + SJ

how old is your pup?
When we had a cat her was first in the house even though he just turned up at our day one day. We then got a pup (GSD) and they just got on like a house on fire, they had a fight every day but a play fight and loved it, do not know how they got on they just did.
my neigbour has just been through this, and this is what she done and belive me it worked wonders. the best thing to do is bring your cat in a cage and leave it in the kitchen for a while to investigate then pop her back in the cage and take her off some where, where the dog is not allowed (you could say the cats own space), then let the dog in to sniff in the kitchen oh and maybe a rag that the cat has been sat on. Then slowley bring the cat into the room (in cage) and all the time treat the dog whilst he is sitting and sniffing. It may take a few weeks for them to get used to each other and you may find the cat will not want to come downn stairs for a while but at least your dog will no there is another animal in the house and over time they will meet each other and learn to live with on another and possibly be best freinds.

Good luck
Cordelia

Pups should be a bit easier but if you don't have a cat yourself then you are going to have to visit your mum's often to get him used to the idea that the cats live there too.  You don't want a cat to attack your dog as they can cause serious damage.  Copper and Harley live together in disharmony although it has improved a lot.  I have to say the cat is tolerated in the house but outside the house its a bit of a free for all.  I keep the dog on the lead when the cat is wanting to wander around the house and treat him when he doesn't pounce/lunge/freak out etc.  It's a hell of a slow process but it is beginning to happen.  I, however, would never leave them alone together as I just don't trust my dog (4 yr terrier - had him 6 mths).  Keep persevering, let the dog keep seeing the cats, keep it low key, don't make a fuss if dog goes mad and hopefully it will work out.  My mum had a lab pup for a little while and he couldn't have cared less about the cat, sniffed it all and played with it etc.  I honestly think though that some dogs just hate cats and that's that!

CG

hi i have been brought up with gshepherds if introduced to cats from a puppie they can live in harmony as life long companions as one of mine did they would cuddle up and sleep together. even so cats outside your home beware as with many dogs cats are fair game. i have also had a neo mastiff who loved my 4 cats if anything he was scared of them. now i have just bought a american bulldog puppy he will learn to tolerate my cats but outsiders beware. so my point is any breed is able to tolerate cats if introduced early but more likely to tolerate them if you have them in your own houseold and they are part of his family.
all the best

Ive got a 7 year old male german shepherd and 2 years ago brought a kitten...the dog didnt bat an eyelid infact the kitten would curl up against the dogs stomach on the dogs bed...the dog even tolerated the padding bit that cats do against his tummy...
obviously when they were first introduced the kitten was never left alone with the dog and whilst we were out the kitten was in a pen...never had a problem...
whats laughable is that my dog when out off the lead even in our garden if he sees an another cat he will chase it but has never chased our cat....

Totally agree
we already had a cat in the house when we brought Gus home (staffordshire terrier) and he has been totally fine with her - never been aggressive or worrying in any way .
The amount of people I have heard say that you cant have a cat with a Staffy as well
There are others I know of that live in harmony too :)

My dog and cat would be lost without each other.