How do get your dog and cats to get along.. Sorry for how long it is

This isn't really a cat question but I feel a lot of people have dogs and cats so hopefully someone can help. My dog is a 10 month old German Shepherd mix she is about 70 lbs so not very small. We got her and my cat Oliver within a month or so of each other so they grew up together when they were both they would cuddle on the couch and play together but once she got big all the sudden he wants nothing to do with her and she is very rough now when she does try to play.  I dont force them to play or be in the same room but my cats like being a part of everything as well. My oldest Tyson screams like he is dying even if she just looks at him from across the room. He has done this since day one and she has never hurt him before. No dog has ever hurt him before. Ellie my middle cat wont come down stairs when she is out or really out of the room we have blocked off for them if the dog is out which is all the time we are at home. Again the dog has never done anything to her and she has never had a ad experience with dogs but every time she comes near she fluffs up and hisses at her. Oliver how use to love the dog runs away from her or will just freeze while she trys to play and will bring him all her favorite toys trying to get him to play with her. Oliver over the last few days has been trying to lay with me on the couch but she always starts messing with him and normally I get his back claws in my stomach while he swipes at her to go away (no front claws). I really just want them all to get along it was hard enough for the three cats to get along with out hating the dog now. I dont know what to do anymore. My house is loud and crazy and its just the animals my fiance and I so it shouldnt be as loud as it is. My fiance and I want kids in the next few years so dont want her going crazy chasing the cats knocking things down and breaking things with a little one in the house. Does anyone have any advice? I will take anything at this point? 

Do the cats have places they can "escape" to but still be in the room?  Such as tall sturdy cat trees, shelves or tall pieces of furniture?  That might help. Especially if you can arrange it so the cats can go from one thing to the other without touching the floor or getting so close to the dog.

I wonder if your dog would benefit from classes.  Not basic obedience classes; but something to take it further.  Agility type classes or something to help focus her energy on something other than the cats.  

Yes my bedroom is blocked off from the dog but they are able to get in. The dog is not allowed in there. They also have a very very large cat tree in the living room that is at least 7ft tall. They also have the table (we never eat at it since its just the fiance and me). We have tried tiring her out she also has some psychological issues so runs, walks, anything to get her really going and tired but no matter how tired she is she still manages to chase the cats off then goes and crashes. 

German shepherds are working dogs so it take a lot to tire them out. They also have a high prey drive, so they are not known for being great with cats. Still you can work with it. Getting her really good obedience training and teaching her a leave it command is probably your best bet at this point. The cats are nervous due to her behavior- so its likely this behavior that is causing there issues with the dog. 

Yes it defiantly does take a lot to tire her out. She doesn't attack them and have never hurt them besides once she was running and didn't see the cat jumping and they collided but that wasn't her fault. She really just plays she will lick them push them around with her nose bring her toys to them she tries to lay with them on the other side of the gate blocking the cat area. She does chase them but never in an aggressive way. Her and Oliver use to get along very well they would play and cuddle and do everything together till she got big

animallover9 said:

 
Yes it defiantly does take a lot to tire her out. She doesn't attack them and have never hurt them besides once she was running and didn't see the cat jumping and they collided but that wasn't her fault. She really just plays she will lick them push them around with her nose bring her toys to them she tries to lay with them on the other side of the gate blocking the cat area. She does chase them but never in an aggressive way. Her and Oliver use to get along very well they would play and cuddle and do everything together till she got big

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My guess is that the cats see what she is doing as aggressive. I have a malamute that likes to lick cats. For my first cat, this wasn't a problem, but my second cat is shy of her and runs away when she sees her. Cats see chasing as scary because she is so big and they are small. They have a natural instinct that tells them she's dangerous (although it sounds like she's a sweet dog that just wants to play and be near them). The best thing to do is to stop the chasing. Problem is this is a dog that was bred to chase so it can be very difficult to train her out of it. 

Yes it very difficult I have been trying to stop her from messing with them. I also try to get Tyson from spitting in her face every time she looks at him even if she doesn't move. I would help a lot of Tyson didn't scream when she is near. She will completely ignore them sometimes till her screams and gets her excited. Since she is a German Shepherd mix with lab she likes to chase and tries sometimes to retrieve the cats which she did when Oliver was little she cant as easily now and gets him all wet than he gets mad and bites her. 

Yes the dog absolutely needs obedience training. The training is essential for dogs because it gives them structure and a pack leader - dogs are pack animals and they need a leader. Especially, a German shepherd. Without structure they can become neurotic and develop all sorts of issues. Your dog needs you to lead and guide, and that's what training will provide. Especially, if you plan on having children -,your dog absolutely needs the training, for its peace of mind as well as yours.

Over all she is a pretty good dog and listens really well over the last week or two she has gotten so much better with the cats she will chase them out of the room but is getting better about leaving Oliver alone when he is in the room trying to lay with us on the couch. Tyson is another story since he screams and spits and it gets her excited. We are getting there but since I am back from my vacation obedience training is next on the list. 

belochka said:

Yes the dog absolutely needs obedience training. The training is essential for dogs because it gives them structure and a pack leader - dogs are pack animals and they need a leader. Especially, a German shepherd. Without structure they can become neurotic and develop all sorts of issues. Your dog needs you to lead and guide, and that's what training will provide. Especially, if you plan on having children -,your dog absolutely needs the training, for its peace of mind as well as yours.

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I am pretty much always in a rush when commenting, so after I re-read my comment, I got concerned that it sounded like I was a C. Millan's follower, which I am not .

What I meant that dogs do tend to be in packs (I have seen packs of stray dogs myself) because that's what is in their genes, and they need someone to lead and guide them.

All animals (and humans, too ) need structure and that's what training provides.

There are tons of books on training and there are different approaches, but I think it might be better at least for a start and because it looks like you do not have experience with it - to splurge on a good trainer and at least get the basics trained by an experienced trainer. Once you have a foundation, maybe you will be able to maintain it and even add something using books and videos.