How can I teach my dog to leave our cat alone? Please help!?

Question

We adopted a dog from a bad situation ( he was kept outside and didn't seem to have much contact with people). He's 8 years old, and overall, he's a really sweet, good natured dog who loves people. The only problem is that we have a cat who is 15. She is able to warm up to dogs, but this one doesn't seem to be working out. He will lunge at her and try to chase her in efforts to "play". She is terrified and runs and hides. We now have to separate them for a few hours a day so she can eat and use her litter box. It's just a mess. Whenever he goes after her, we firmly tell him to " leave it". If he continues, we put him in a separate room for a little while as a punishment, but he doesn't seem to be catching on to leave her alone. Is it possible to teach this dog to leave the cat alone? Any ways I could discipline him better? Or is it possible he will never be able to learn that? Any advice is welcome. We really want to keep him, but we can't have our cat stressed out like this. Thanks in advance.

? · Accepted Answer

This dog is not trying to play.  The dog may be a nice dog with people but it has high prey drive toward cats.  Prey drive is instinct and can't be fixed.  Your cat could be seriously injured or killed.  You have to respect that your cat was your first pet and find this dog a new home and keep them apart in the meantime.  Unfortunately, you can't train away instincts and your cat is in danger.  Even if the dog became better, the situation would never be 100% safe.

? · Answer

Set up training sessions rather than just react when something happens.  There are two ways to go: positive or negative.  
Positive training will be with your dog on a leash and a bag of high value treats, such as diced cheese or diced turkey.  Have the cat sit with someone soothing.  Bring the leashed dog into the room.  When the dog notices Cat, call him to you, "Dog, Come", pull him to you and treat him.  Let him start towards Cat again and call him then treat.
Negative training will also be with Dog on a leash.  Walk him into the room with Cat.  When he charges Cat you'll correct the behavior with a firm, "No" or "Ack" or "Leave It", and a pop on the leash.  Then call Dog to you and have him Sit.  Praise him for a good Sit.  You can add a tiny treat to really reinforce the good behavior.  
I wouldn't leave the new dog with the old cat until the day when he barely notices that Cat has walked into the room.

? · Answer

How long have you had both the cat and the German Shepard. Probably the dog is trying to make friends with the cat if the cat stands up to the dog it will let it know when it has had enough. If like my three cats and five dogs they will soon be fast friends and laying and playing together.

DesertPiksy · Answer

We have 3 dogs, Boxers.  They have a high prey drive.  What we did with our first Boxer was to have the cats up high on their cat tree, called the dog over.  Told him to sit and both cats and dog were treated.  Now, the cats jump up on the bed with dogs sitting on the floor and be treated.  Works well.

angeloneus · Answer

That dog is pretty old to be learning something so basic. It may be impossible to teach him to leave the cat alone. Usually the cat has to train the dog, and in this instance it just isn't happening. I would sseriously think about rehoming the dog.

Anonymous · Answer

every time your dog does something bad, tell him he's a bad dog and he'll understand

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How can I teach my dog to leave our cat alone? Please help!?

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