Do German Shepherds Get Along With Cats? 12-Step Training Guide
Do German Shepherds get along with Cats?
If you are thinking of adopting a cat but you have a German Shepherd, you might have wondered do German Shepherds get along with cats. We will answer that and give a 12-step training guide to socialize your German Shepherd around a cat.
Although most German Shepherds are intuitively friendly to cats, some may be wary of them or even hostile. On the other hand, German Shepherds may and frequently do get along well with cats, given the correct upbringing and socialization.
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German Shepherd and Cats
If you adopted a German Shepherd and you want to adopt a cat or vice versa, you’re going to need to understand how German Shepherds see small animals and how to train your German Shepherd to behave around a cat.
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Are German Shepherds good with cats?
Yes and no, a lot of it comes down to training your German Shepherd. Some German Shepherds will be great around cats and others will always let their prey drive get the best of them.
Why do German Shepherds chase Cats?
The explanation for this is that German Shepherds have an excellent hunting natural inclination which drives them to pursue small animals.
Cats also enjoy running, which makes German Shepherds excited to chase them. It would be good to train your German Shepherd not to chase cats.
How to Introduce a German Shepherd to a Cat
The following are the steps to introduce a German Shepherd to a cat. Follow them step-by-step. This guide is to help train a german shepherd not to chase cats.
1. German Shepherd Personality
First, you need to understand the behavior of a German Shepherd. The GSD is a prey-driven stampeding dog, herding, chasing, and protecting are all-natural instincts for it.
Even when the GSD is just experiencing amusement, even if they don’t mean any serious harm, this may be highly intimidating and worrisome to the animal being pursued.
It does not entail that a German Shepherd will pursue every cat in the neighborhood. Still, it is vital to be cognizant that this is a German Shepherd trait.
2. Cat’s demeanor
Certain cats, like people, are assertive while others are apprehensive. This parameter has a broad array, but generally, cats are more exhausted than dogs when confronted with a new conceivable scenario.
When contemplating introducing your German Shepherd to a cat, take this into consideration.
3. Cat’s and Dog’s Age
A puppy will have an easier time becoming friends with a cat. This is not always the situation.
A kitten and a puppy will have an easier time forming a bond long-term.
4. Previous Socialization
If your German Shepherd has been socialized around cats and other dogs that will influence if they would get along with a feline.
It simply implies that the more your Germand Sheperd has been socialized with other animals in the past and had pleasant encounters with them, the more likely they are to get along with a cat.
If your German Shepherd has had previous poor relationships with other animals. You may need to be very careful introducing them to a cat.
5. Supervised Play
You may get tempted to allow your German Shepherd and cat to sort things out on their own. Make sure you supervise them when they are in a room together for the safety of both pets.
6. Bracing Cat Inclusion
If you’re adopting a new cat, please ensure he or she has enough room to adjust. It could be a separate room such as an additional bedroom.
Also, make sure the room has everything the cat requires, such as a litter container, water, and toys.
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7. German Shepherd Mentoring
You must first ensure that your German Shepherd is appropriately trained before actually introducing it to a cat.
You should always train your German Shepherd to sit and stay on command. Your German Shepherd may need to be desensitized to cats.
8. Odor Flipping
It is the most crucial aspect of the introductory procedure. Grab one cleaning cloth for your German Shepherd and one for your cat to start this section of the procedure.
The term “clean” refers to the absence of any preexisting animal odor on the cloth. The cloth must next be massaged against the animals’ odor sensors.
The fragrance receptors on a cat’s cheeks and chin, as well as on their foreheads, are positioned around their cheeks and chin (that’s why cats grind these areas against you – they’re not adorable, they’re distinguishing you with their fragrance).
Scent glands can be observed in the armpits and on the flanks of a dog. After that, you must place each cloth in the surroundings of the other animal.
You should not compel either animal to sniff the cloth; rather, you should let them confront the cloth and smell it if they so desire.
You must then evaluate your German Shepherd and your cat’s behavior to determine how well the adoption is progressing. Keep an eye on whether your GSD becomes belligerent or inquisitive, as well as whether your cat seems anxious or hesitant.
You’ll also be required to maintain a consistent fragrance. Merely massage the towel over the dog and cat’s smell glands once a day to achieve this. The other animal’s fragrance will remain fresh as a result of this.
9. Visual from Glass
Giving your German Shepherd and your cat some quality time is the next stage in the process of socializing them.
This can be accomplished by placing your cat inside and your dog outside, separated by a sliding door.
This provides your cat and dogs the option of approaching or not pursuing each other. This is significant since you don’t want to encourage an engagement because it can make either of them feel uncomfortable and apprehensive.
Try this out for several days, taking around 5 minutes every time.
10. House Visualization
After you’ve completed this, repeat the process within your home, but with less of a barricade between the cat and the dog.
Using a dog barrier or an infant fence and having the animals kneel on either end of it is an excellent way to do this.
It enables both to visualize one another and make mild touch, but it prevents either animal from becoming confrontational.
Do this regularly, and offer the animals snacks while you’re at it.
11. Bodily Meeting
It’s a moment for some more chat, but this time there’s no obstacle separating your dog and cat. During this time, please ensure your German Shepherd is restrained.
This allows your cat to depart if it is scared. Gradually increase the amount of leash you provide your dog.
It will be capable of interacting with the cat relatively freely while remaining in your control. Encourage your German Shepherd when it interacts pleasantly with your cat.
12. Unhooked Meeting
The next step is to allow your dog to socialize with the cat without a harness or a leash. Only do this if you are convinced that your German Shepherd will stay relaxed and not endanger the cat.
It’s also necessary that you get a good sense of how your cat is coping. If you have any uncertainties about whether or not your cat is prepared for this interaction, keep your dog on a harness. Keep in mind that cats’ gestures aren’t as lively as dogs’.
Their psychological markers are a little more ambiguous. Assess that your cat’s ears are oriented upward and that its pupils aren’t too little or too huge to see if it’s peaceful and contented.
