[legoac]

So I may be moving to a place with a nice communal courtyard for the pup to hang out and run around in. The thing is, other residents have cats which are allowed there as well. The pup has minimal exposure to cats, we have seen a few on walks but they obviously clear out before we can approach. He seems alert and curious when he sees them but not overly obsessed. He is good around other dogs, big and small, if that makes any difference. Does anyone have tips on how to train him to learn to be calm and gentle around cats? I would be sad to have to keep him on leash all the time.

[Elana55]

Leave him on leash until you know for sure he will not chase the cats. Some cats will run and this can (usually does) excite the dog's prey drive. You want to prevent the dog from EVER chasing the cats. I mean EVER. One time can lead to disaster for the cats and once that has happened you can NEVER let him around cats again unless leashed.

If the dog shows interest, you need to get between the dog and the cat(s) and lean over the dog, cha cha quickly into the dog's space and tell him, "MY cats" (even tho they are not your cats).

NEVER allow him to be around cats unsuprvised. My dog is very much "cat broke" and LOVES cats but I still never allow her to be loose with the cats unsupervised. It is too risky for the cats.