Hi. I have a 3 1/2 months old GSD puppy and two cats. One of the cats still won't let him come too close without hissing and giving him a good wack on the nose, then he'd back off. The other cat, however, seems to have trusted him too soon...
It really does look like they're becoming friends, but whenever Argus (the GSD) comes to play with George (the cat) he uses his mouth. Sometimes it looks gentele, and other times George starts complaining but doesn't really fight back. Even when he does get at a higher ground, and it's time for george to swing his paws at Argus, it's really very gentle...eventhough it gets argus to back off, it doesn't really seem to have much effect.
Now it doesn't seem like Argus is trying ot hurt the cat, but what worries me is that sometimes the nipping is on the back of George's neck, and I don't know how hard he's biting, because George complains even when Argus is just gently rubbing his teeth on him. Many people tell me that I shouldn't interfer, and that if he's not trying to kill him when he's this big (he's a very big puppy) then he probably won't try to kill him when he's old. Is Argus bullying George? or is he just being overly playful? How do I determine how hard he's biting? and when/how should I interfer? please help!
It really does look like they're becoming friends, but whenever Argus (the GSD) comes to play with George (the cat) he uses his mouth. Sometimes it looks gentele, and other times George starts complaining but doesn't really fight back. Even when he does get at a higher ground, and it's time for george to swing his paws at Argus, it's really very gentle...eventhough it gets argus to back off, it doesn't really seem to have much effect.
Now it doesn't seem like Argus is trying ot hurt the cat, but what worries me is that sometimes the nipping is on the back of George's neck, and I don't know how hard he's biting, because George complains even when Argus is just gently rubbing his teeth on him. Many people tell me that I shouldn't interfer, and that if he's not trying to kill him when he's this big (he's a very big puppy) then he probably won't try to kill him when he's old. Is Argus bullying George? or is he just being overly playful? How do I determine how hard he's biting? and when/how should I interfer? please help!