Dog going after cats

[Toonces]

We got our new foster a 7 yr old male gsd, his name is Wally and he is a wonderful sweet boy, will lick your whole face and then some. He walks nice on a lead, knows sit and down and my 2 females have no problem with him and he loves all other dogs but he hates the cats and I know by the way he acts he would hurt them givin the chance. I am making him sit for everything, meals walks, treats, toys ect and he does very nicely.

Any suggestions on how to get him used to the cats.

[StaceyB]

Can you describe what he is doing when he sees them.

[Toonces]

He lunges, snaps and growls, he has put his head right through the screen door trying to get them, I tried him with a muzzle on and he was on lead and we let them out just so he could see them and they could walk around but he didn't care that he was muzzled he wanted those kitties, I tried telling him no and get him in a sit but no way was he going to do that, I am going to have to make him understand that I am the most important thing to him and he needs to ignore everything else so we are doing the nothing in life is free approach with him. I know some dogs just have a very high prey drive and he may never like them but we are willing to try whatever it takes.

[StaceyB]

It is quite possible that he has never been around them. The more focus you put on this the worse he may be. How well does he get along with other animals.
If you have a cat carrier or a crate, I would start by putting the crate in the middle of a room with the cats inside. Let the dog check them out. You may need to do this several times until the cats are not as much of an interest to him.

[chico2]

WoW,Toonces you already have another foster??I suppose there are tons to go around,never a short supply of needy dogs :sad:
I certainly have no expertise introducing dogs to cats,but if a dog is very aggressive towards cats,I don't think that will change very easily.
If you put the cats in a crate,for him to sniff them,it might scare the beejesus out of the cats,as he would more than likely grab for the crate...I would not take that chance with my cats.
But then again you are a foster and you can probably work this out somehow,I hope,seeing this dog needs to be looked after.
Just please,be very,very careful...
Hopefully someone else can jump in here and give you some more advice.

[Toonces]

He gets along great with my 2 girls and male dogs too, he loves all people and so far has not barked at anyone who comes over but he has only been here a few days so he probably dosn't feel the need to protect the house, my 2 do enough barking. We have some guys working out back today and he has paid no mind to them what so ever .

It's just the cats but they are safe from harm just a bit confused