How Can I Properly Introduce My Male Cat to my German Shepherd puppy?

[faithless edition]

I plan to get a male pure bred GSD pup sometime next month and I'd like him to live inside. But the problem is, we have 2 cats (an older female and a younger male) in the home with us already. It's a pretty large house so space is not an issue, but my male cat is. I've noticed that he is quite dominant, especially around the older female that generally doesn't wish to be bothered. He will pee on things sometimes (I assume to mark his territory) and I just dont know how a male dog will be able to live with a dominant male cat. I know male dogs will pee on things too. How can I prevent BOTH my cat and dog from doing this?

My cat is also known to 'pick fights' with other dogs by hissing and growling at them and we've had an incident where he was seriously hurt because of him instigating a fight. I want my pup and my cat to get along, but how can I do that when my cat is so possessive? My female cat won't be a problem at all. She would probably take a few whiffs of the dog and go about her day

 

[Brian]

To keep your dogs and cats from spraying get em nuetered. They will not mark anything afterwards. As for dog versus cat. Let em at it. They will find a winner.

 

[jewyou420]

Try out a Darwinian solution. Put them all in a room, close the door, and come back in an hour. Survival of the fittest should solve all your problems.

 

[Shelter dog's rule]

1.Let the dog and cat smell each other's bedding or other items before doing an in person introduction. You can also put the dog and the cat on separate sides of a door for a period of time so that they can get used to each other's smell before being in the same room together. Put a baby gate up with the door closed and gradually open the door a little for short periods of time so that the dog and cat can see each other.

2.2
Master basic training with your dog. Proper dog training will make the introduction much smoother and safer.

3.3
Give your dog a "sit" or "down" command and a "stay" command. Reinforce this with treats or other rewards. With a dog in a collar and leash, have another person enter the room with the cat and quietly sit with the cat on the other side of the room. Repeat this step until both the dog and the cat are tolerating each other's presence without signs of fear or aggression.

4.4
Move the dog and the cat closer together. The dog should still be on a leash and the cat can be held quietly or placed in a crate or carrier. Reward the dog for remaining in a "stay" position and put him back into the position if he moves. If the cat seems scared, increase the distance between them.

5.5
Stop any of the dog's attempts to bark at or chase the cat. This is easiest if you leave the training collar and leash on the dog for their initial times together unrestrained. Praise the dog and give her treats when she is calm and obedient in the cat's presence.

6.6
Keep the dog and the cat separated when they are not being supervised. Some animals will eventually be able to be left alone together, but the cat should always have a place to go to get away from the dog.

7.7
Feed the pets in separate areas which will ensure that they are each getting the food designed for them and that there are no issues with food. If possible, put the cat's food and litter box in either an elevated place away from the dog or in a separate room that the dog can't get into. A baby gate can be placed in a doorway so that the cat can enter but the dog cannot.



Read more: How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2053587_introduce-dog-cat.html#ixzz15EBmcijd

 

[awesomeness23]

Mmkay imma give u some advice...german shepards and cats dont mix.ive learned from experience.german shepards have a natural instinct to attack especially cats but yeaa idk wat to tell u .maybe just keep the cat away from the dog