children are often boisterous and excitable and inconsistent with their behaviors. Often, their exuberance for the newest canine member can end up frightening rather than welcoming him. Many breeds, especially herding and terrier breeds, are excited by movement and like to chase and nip the legs of fleeing children. A natural doggie behavior, it’s a common reason herding breeds are surrendered to shelters and rescue groups. Allowing these behaviors to be reinforced means you will end up with a dog who sees no harm in chasing, jumping up, or nipping. Also, like young dogs, children have short attention spans and easily lose their patience with a rambunctious, seemingly uncooperative dog, especially if that dog is jumping and nipping. Supervise your newest canine addition and young children to discourage unwanted behaviors and create an environment of safe play.
To prevent your dog from being overwhelmed, introduce family members one or two at a time in a calm, quiet manner. No yelling, squealing, screaming, or sudden movements. For puppies or small dogs, try having your children (as well as adults) sit or kneel on the floor, which is less intimidating. Otherwise, have them turn slightly sideway, avoid making direct eye contact, and let the dog approach on his terms.
Despite popular opinion, most dogs dislike hugging and petting on the head, which they often find annoying or frightening. Until you know how your dog will react, teach your children to scratch or pat his chest instead. Teach your children early on that your puppy or adult dog is not a toy but a living animal who must be handled properly and treated gently, kindly, and respectfully. Never allow children to overwhelm any dog or put him in a position where he can be bullied or frightened. Depending on your dog’s temperament and personality, he may lash out and bite, and no one wants that.
Equally important, show older children how to properly pick up a small-breed dog or young puppy. For very young kids, do not allow them to pick up the dog without supervision. They can inadvertently hurt him should they pick him up by his ears or legs or, heaven forbid, drop him.
Keep in mind that most puppies and adult dogs have tons of energy, but they tire easily and need plenty of quiet time to recuperate from the demands of being a dog. Provide your new dog with a comfortable bed, crate, or ex-pen of his own for sleeping, recuperating, and escaping the domestic hustle and bustle. Everyone, especially children, should understand that all dogs need to be left alone while they are sleeping. No one wants a grumpy dog!
Supervise your newest canine addition and young children to discourage unwanted behaviors and create an environment of safe play.
Introducing Cats
Chances are your existing dog and cat can learn to live harmoniously—even if they dislike each other. Your new dog also needs to learn that chasing, eating, or terrorizing the cat is unacceptable behavior that should be dropped immediately. To help set a positive relationship, provide your cat with plenty of escape routes. Cats like being up high, so provide plenty of access to countertops, furniture, and so forth. Also, provide your cat with a room of his own, such as a spare room, office, or den, so he can escape canine antics and not be bothered. For the first introduction, keep your new dog on leash so he can’t chase or harass your cat (an ex-pen or baby gates also work well). You don’t want your dog’s first introduction to be a scratched nose! Depending on your dog’s history, you will need to determine if he stands a chance of being safe around cats. The more dogs you keep together, the greater the chance they will switch to a pack mentality if they become overly excited. Some herding breeds, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Belgian Tervurens like to stalk cats. So you’ll want to be on the lookout for signs of this behavior and keep it under control. Allowing your dog to harass a cat or other animal is neither fair nor funny and should never be encouraged or tolerated. Always reward dogs and cats for behaving calmly in each other’s presence.
Must Love Dogs…And Birds, Rabbits, Hamsters, and Other Critters
Some dogs are naturally gentle and calm around other animals, be they birds, rabbits, chickens, horses, or other companion animals. Stories have been told of dogs who developed the most unlikely best-friend relationships with horses, goats, sheep, chickens, and so forth. How your dog reacts around non-dog animals will greatly depend on his history, age, and whether or not his previous owner allowed him to develop unwanted habits. Chasing livestock is an instinctive behaviors for many dogs. In many areas, livestock owners are legally allowed to shoot a dog caught harassing their livestock. So taking the time to make your household a peaceable kingdom is well worth the effort. Follow these doable tips for keeping your animals safe:
•Make introductions slowly to allow plenty of time for your dog and the other animal to get used to each other. This may take several days or weeks.
•Keep your dog leashed and your bird, rabbit, hamster, or the like caged until you are absolutely certain they are both comfortable. Otherwise, depending on your dog’s breed, history, instinct, and prey drive, the outcome may be disastrous.
•Choose a neutral area for introductions. For example, a room where your bird’s cage is not normally located.
•Reward both dog and bird (or rabbit, ferret, etc.) for good behavior. (Be sure to have plenty of treats on hand before beginning your introductions.)
•Once your dog and other small pet become comfortable in the same room together, begin allowing your dog off leash as long as he continues to behave himself! Never leave your bird, rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, ferret in the same room unattended. Dogs are easily stimulated, and accidents can happen with even the most well-trained dog.
Dogs and cats can learn to live together harmoniously.
Horses
What’s more fun than a trail ride with your best canine friend running alongside? While plenty of dogs do chase horses, and plenty of horses are fearful of dogs, in many cases, when precautions are taken, dogs and horses can learn to tolerate and even care for each other. Clashes between dogs and horses can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation for dog, horse, and rider. Therefore, a few doable precautions will keep everyone safe.
•Introduce your dog to horses at an early age and train/reward him for being calm. Ideally, this is easiest when puppies are young and impressionable. Depending on your dog’s age and history and how he responds (i.e., fear or aggression), you may need to invest extra time and effort.
•Horses with positive experiences around dogs are ideal for introductions and socialization because they minimize the risk to dogs—especially puppies.
•If either animal is nervous, always work within their threshold by starting with enough distance between them so they can see each other, yet still take treats and respond to commands.
•Obedience train your dog—Come, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait—so you can preempt a chase or keep your dog safe should a horse panic, bolt, or become unruly.
•Keep your dog leashed and under control when around horses—especially if he lacks a solid, reliable recall (Come) command.
•Do not allow your dog to practice unwanted behaviors, such as barking or chasing horses. Some breeds are easily stimulated by movement (think herding dogs!), and a moving horse can easily excite a dog’s natural prey or chase instinct.
Rescue Tip:
Commit to a Few Days
Ideally, you will want to bring your newest addition home when you have a few days to spend together, such as the weekend.
