GS & cat

Question
Hi Cindi,  I need some help introducing my german shepherd to a cat.  I have a 4 & 1/2 year old GS who is a great dog - very friendly, protective, loving, etc and has always been the only pet in the house.  She is also very, very inquisitive.  My fiancee is moving in and she has a cat who is about 9 years old.  We've tried introducing the two of them and the GS has chased the cat into a corner twice where fights broke out (the cat has been declawed so no damage there but I did have to step in and pull the GS out by her collar to break up the fight at the point where I felt the cat was in danger).  If we put the cat in another room and close the door, the GS paces back and forth in front of the door and whines.  Any suggestions on how to make these two tolerate each other?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Brian
Put your kitty in a crate in the room with your dog and use some behavior modification on the dog. It's a cycle, dog chases cat runs dog chases cat runs. One of them has to stop. Don't let your dog even LOOK at your kitty in an intense way. If necessary keep her on  lead and give a sharp sideways tug on the leash with a  loud NO if she starts it and as SOON as she starts it. Dont' wait until she is really wound up.  They will eventually get over it and you can let kitty out of the crate You can also switch and put the dog in the crate and kitty out to keep them on a level playing field now and again.
Also, what do you do to exercise your dog? She needs a LONG , brisk walk at heel every morning and evening. She also needs wearing OUT at least three times a week. Play fetch until her tongue hangs out, get her a treadmill and teach her to use it (yes they work) Get her some kong toys stuffed with treats. Take her to the dog park. RUN her until she's tired several times a week and walk her twice a day with a pack if necessary. She needs a job :)
Cindi