Looking for some help with our 3 ½ year old German Shepherd who has been absolutely obsessed with a kitten we brought home September of 2025 (7 months ago now).
We already had 2 cats in the house that she would only chase if it was extremely convenient (she's laying down and they walk up to her). The 2 adult cats existed before we adopted the dog. We had the dog about 3 years before getting this 3rd cat.
This 3rd cat is the dog's entire life now. If she cannot see him, she's lost. She will see him and immediately sprint after him (never bit or snarled). If he escapes to a counter or cat tree, she'll just sit or lay next to it and whimper while watching him. In the middle of the night she wakes us up jumping off the bed or running into the wall trying to chase him but the door is latched so only cats can move through it.
We've tried exposure training, just putting them together for long periods, we've tried using treats and her crate to break the habbit, verbal commands, physical redirection by taking her collar and moving her away. We've given her toys to take her attention away.
Nothing works. Any insight or experience would be so greatly appreciated.
submitted by /u/Intelligent_Invite79
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