I adopted a 6 year old GSD, she wants to sniff the cats and they don't want to be sniffed. So they run and of course she chases. If they are on the sofa and they let her get close she seems ok with them till they swipe at her then she has to stick her nose back in for more. Any ideas on trying to make us all one big happy family or at least a tolerable one?

I know when I adopted my GSD's I introduced each one to each of the cats in a quiet atmosphere and held the cats on my lap. I had the dogs sit next to me and slowly let the dogs get a few sniffs. If the dog got too excited, the intro was over. Taking it slow was best. Give them each a few days of intro's and don't let the dog and cats interact alone until you are certain the dog is cat safe.

I was told my boy was not cat safe but adopted him anyway, despite having 2 cats at home. After a week of careful introductions, they were good to go. Same with my girl when I adopted her. They WILL chase my male cat but he usually instigates a game of chase and I think it has a lot to do with their prey drive. My female cat is older - like about 12 and she comes out to love on Nadia every morning.

The cat is an exciting thing in an exciting new home. Even more fun when they run!

Like Bev said, take it slow, a few minutes at a time. Let your new dog get a sniff of the cat. Let your established in the home cats know you'll keep them safe.

Give them a dog free place they can be, their favorite spot where the dog is NOT allowed to go. That way interaction is on the cats' terms. Cats like things on their terms.

I used to do foster care and had an old Siamese tabby cross. Romeo had lived with many german shepherds. He was a dog cat, very savy about how to get a dog to respect a cat. He still ran away from the dogs.

Until the dog learned to respect the cat, we'd leash the dog when the cat was around. Which was all of a couple hours a day since the cat preferred to sleep all day and come out about 9pm. Dog tries to chase cat, step on leash, say leave it.

Oh and congrats on your new girl. Wonderful to take in a mature lady. I'm sure once she knows what your rules are, the house will be peaceful.

Thank you for the info. They are doing better, we have been taking it slow. Our oldest cat, will let the dog sniff him while I hold him or am on the sofa with him. The younger one growls, hisses, and swats, when he spies Rosie. He is doing a bit better, he doesn't puff up as much now.

Thank you for your reply, We are working at it everyday. If they don't run from her she won't chase. I think she just wants to play, but you never know.