Skip
to content

Skip
to main navigation

Skip
to 1st column

Skip
to 2nd column

Cliffview Pilot

Home

News

Bergen

Hudson

Beyond

Public Safety

Opinion

Editorials

Op-ed

The Good
Life

Beauty

Being Well

MOMIC RELIEF

Here's Johnny

Journeys

Shout
Outs

About
Us

Jerry DeMarco

Contact Us

Advertise

News Tips

Pets

Deborah Jack

The Woof Gang

Pet News

Home Pets The Woof
Gang The
WOOF Gang: Keeping the peace in a multi-pet household

The

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:57
Laura Garber

Dyed-in-the-wool animal lovers seem to have a
great deal of trouble limiting the nest to just a single animal. So when
deciding whether to open your heart and your home to another pet, make sure to
consider your current furry family member’s perspective.

While many will thrive having the company
of another, especially if they’re left alone for long hours at a time, others
prefer being the only pet, either because they’re not particularly good players
with other animals or because they don’t want to share your attention.  If
this is the case, then your current animal should have the deciding vote; after
all, he’ll be the one living day in and day out with the newbie.  Imagine
if someone were to thrust a new housemate on you against your will!

Laura
Garber

A Multi-Dog
Household

If your pup seems a good candidate for a canine
sibling, the next step is to find a love match for him.  Consider the types
of dogs that your dog gravitates toward in the dog run.  Does he prefer
playful partners or more laid back types?  Males or females?  While a
younger dog can sometimes bring out the inner pup in your older dog, she can
also prove to be a constant annoyance.

Also consider size.  A large
disparity is undesirable.  How frustrating for a little terrier to be
consistently manhandled by a pit bull playmate, even if both dogs have a similar
play style.  It’s like a feather-weight sparring with a
super-heavyweight!  An equally serious concern inherent in size disparities
is that of predatory drift, in which a smaller dog (or cat) moves in a prey-like
way that triggers a sudden predatory response from a larger dog or a group of
dogs.  And this is a recipe for potentially deadly disaster that does not
go away with time; even after years of living together peacefully, a tragic
incident can still occur.

“Howdy Do!”

Initial
introductions are so important in starting the relationship out right.
Having several short interactions is a good way of acquainting the dogs.
Always do these on neutral territory.  Walk the dogs past one another or
take them on parallel walks to see if they look playful and interested in one
another.  Allow a polite head-to-tail sniff between them, fostering greater
familiarity while still avoiding any direct eye contact.  Given all this
goes swimmingly, allow for some playful interaction, keeping leashes on but
slack.  Any tension in the leashes can thwart natural movement and thus
increase the likelihood of defensive behavior.  Still, the leash will allow
you to easily separate the two dogs should things go south.

When entering
your home, take the newcomer in first to avoid territorial behavior from the
resident dog.  Keep leashes on but dragging for these early moments.

Avoid fights at all costs, as a fight early on can diminish the
likelihood of success. Be aware that aroused play, when allowed to continue for
too long, can spiral into a fight.  Dogs will often take short breaks from
play, giving themselves a chance for a breather.  If they are not doing it
voluntarily, you must step in and impose a short break every few minutes.
Call each dog away or go get him; then ask for a “sit” or “down” for 30 seconds
before releasing them back to play.

Life
Together

As successful an
arranged marriage as it may be, make sure that some of their day includes
private time away from each other, especially at the start.  Introducing
the new dog to a crate can help achieve this.  Also make sure that each dog
gets time alone with you, time in which you can work on some training as well as
share affection.

Training is the best way to assert yourself
as leader.  So, as important as training is with a single dog, it is
absolutely critical in a multi-dog household.

Inter-dog status is not
important to all dogs, so establishing hierarchy between dogs is often not
necessary.  In fact, supporting status can sometimes do more harm than
good, as it can result in bullying behavior.  It is better to impress upon
each dog the importance of polite behavior to gain his life rewards (treats,
toys, walks, attention, etc).  And since doorways and narrow passages can
provoke friction, having well-trained dogs can help establish orderliness in
these situations.

Pay attention to the dogs’ behavior around resources
such as toys and food.  Be aware if one of the dogs stiffens, shows his eye
whites, or lifts a lip when the other dog gets near him with the prized
possession.  Until each dog has had some training so that you can assert
some obedience control, separate them for feeding and remove any resources that
might cause fights.  Possessions such as rawhides may prove too valuable;
either the dogs will have to live without them or they should only have them
when they’re apart.

The time spent carefully establishing the
relationship will be richly rewarded with years of companionship and
harmony.  In their earliest interactions, make sure that good and rewarding
things happen in each other’s company so that their being together is not simply
about sharing their favorite resource – you!  Play with one while the other
enjoys a puzzle toy filled with treats in his crate, for instance.

A
final caveat: Remember that having more pets means more of your time, not less;
so, if you are pressed for time with the family you have, be grateful for the
love you already share and leave it at that.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Dogs With
Cats

Dog trainer Laura Garber of Hoboken regards training
as an exercise in building relationships rather than obedience. She believes
such an approach promises greater understanding and symbiosis within our family
packs. Laura works with private clients in Hudson County and beyond. For
information, go to myWoofGang.com or contact
her directly at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript
enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

You must be logged in to post a
comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

Search

Search

Move

Close

Connect

Site design by the special services division
of Jaffe
Communications, 200 North Avenue East, Westfield, NJ