I got my rescue GSD at 1 1/2 yrs and I supervised her with the cat while the cat had the run of the house. I always made sure the cat had someplace to go like under the couch or behind it, that the dog couldn't get to. Rosie would retaliate if the cat tried to scratch her so I had to make sure nothing happened. It is now 1 1/2 yrs later and Rosie and the cat get along really well, but the cat still instigates things and it always looks like Rosie is trying to kill her but she also lets the cat rub up on her face when she is just laying there.
The cat still sits under a chair and waits while Rosie lays there wagging her tail, waiting for the cat to run, when she could easily get under the chair - just a dining room type. But she waits until the cat runs before she does anything.
I just started out with the cat shut out until I was there with Rosie on a leash. I would tell her to 'be nice' and it did take a number of months, but when the cat was under the couch I let Rosie drag the leash instead of keeping her with me. They kind of worked it out on their own once Rosie learned she couldn't attack the cat. The cat started taking liberties then and testing the waters.
I still don't know how she would be with other cats though because she still gets all wound up when the neighbor's cats are hunting on our place.
Good luck with your two, and it probably won't take you as long as it did Rosie. She had lots of lack of training to overcome.
The cat still sits under a chair and waits while Rosie lays there wagging her tail, waiting for the cat to run, when she could easily get under the chair - just a dining room type. But she waits until the cat runs before she does anything.
I just started out with the cat shut out until I was there with Rosie on a leash. I would tell her to 'be nice' and it did take a number of months, but when the cat was under the couch I let Rosie drag the leash instead of keeping her with me. They kind of worked it out on their own once Rosie learned she couldn't attack the cat. The cat started taking liberties then and testing the waters.
I still don't know how she would be with other cats though because she still gets all wound up when the neighbor's cats are hunting on our place.
Good luck with your two, and it probably won't take you as long as it did Rosie. She had lots of lack of training to overcome.