Households with a Dog

First of all, you need to realize that your dog will not always get along with every other dog. Dogs are like people; they are drawn to some, while others may take some getting used to, and still others may not ever get along (they may tolerate each other but won’t be the best of friends)Also, prior to introducing a new dog into your family, you need to be ready to accept changes in your current dog. As hard as it may be to watch an animal you thought of as dominant take a lesser position in the household, it is vital that you step back and let the animals determine their social status. Your current dog may be quite relieved to relinquish the stressful position of leader to a new dog. Unless you believe that one of the animals may be inured, let them work things out and then accept the structure they establish. Here is how you should introduce them:

• Make sure you pick a neutral, quiet place, where there are not toys or treats, to introduce them
• Feed and exercise both dogs and allow them each to go to the bathroom prior to the introduction
• Make sure both dogs are leashed and both handlers have a tight grip on the leashes
• Slowly allow the dogs to approach each other
• Let the two dogs sniff each other for several minutes while that handlers observe the body language
• Interrupt any signs of aggression with a spritz of water, a loud noise, or by pulling the dogs away from each other by the leashes. NEVER attempt to separate the dogs with your hands. This is how a lot of people get bit.
• If the dogs seem to enjoy each other, let them play together for a while.
• Take the dogs on a long walk together
• Eventually, bring them both back to your home. Keep them on the leashes until you are comfortable with their behavior. Make sure there are no toys or treats on the floor.
• Gradually introduce toys to both of the dogs, making sure there are plenty around (not just one).
• If you are confident that the dogs are getting along, allow the dogs to be off leash but supervised.
• Increase the time they are together until they are fully trusted to be unleashed together- it can take days, weeks, or even months until you feel comfortable.
• Keep the dogs separated when you are unable to supervise, until you are confident that no harm will be done.

Advantages of a Multi Dog Household

There are many advantages of having a multiple dog household. Two or more dogs that are compatible can provide exercise for each other. This works best when they are of similar size and activity level (a puppy will only annoy a laid back adult dog – not “pep him up”), and are free of physical problems that could cause pain or irritability. Two or more dogs can also provide each other with dog-to-dog social interaction. This daily contact with their own species tends to keep their ability to communicate with other dogs in good shape. It also keeps away boredom. Finally, humans who enjoy watching dog behavior will enjoy seeing the family dogs interact. Since you also get to see the dog-to-dog relationships develop over time, your understanding of your dogs can grow by watching how they react to each other. Your ability to read canine body language can be enhanced.
 

Households with a Cat

Introducing a dog to a cat is a much slower process then introducing a dog to another dog. There is a serious risk involved if you introduce these two animals incorrectly. Be sure that you go slow, and follow all the steps outlined below. The ultimate goal is to have your cat be confident that the dog does not pose a threat. Once this is established, the opportunity for a wonderful friendship can begin. Here is a how you should introduce them:

• Keep them separated for a week or so– when you bring your new dog home, have a separate space set up for the cat with a litter box, toys, water, bed and a scratching post. A spare bedroom would be perfect.
• Scent is the all-important factor in cat to dog introductions. Before letting the pets have visual contact with each other, let them smell each other’s bedding.
• Encourage interaction through the door – Place your cat’s food near the door of her room so she stays near the door. Your dog will smell and hear her through the door. Give your dog treats near the door of the new cat’s room so that he associates it with good things.
• Let the cat roam alone – Put your dog in the bedroom, and let the cat roam around the house. This lets your cat explore and get exercise. Then put your cat back in her room and let the dog walk around and smell her without having to see the new cat. This is a great way to get them used to each other’s scent.
• Reward obedience on the dog’s part with a treat.
• Now it is time for the introduction. Make sure your dog is wearing a properly fit collar and leash. Have another family member bring in the cat and have them sit down with the cat on their lap at an opposite end of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and the dog are tolerating each other without signs of fear or aggression.
• Next move the animals closer with the dog still on the leash and the cat gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held use a crate or carrier. If the cat becomes frightened, increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly.
• Initially, the dog should be wearing a collar and a leash when the cat is present so that any attempt to bark at or chase can be stopped instantly. Praise and treats should be lavished on the dog when he is calm and obedient in the cat’s presence.

Keep the dog and cat separated when you are not home until you are certain that the animals are safe around each other unsupervised. Be sure the cat does not have to pass through or by the dog’s area to get to his food, water, or litter box. If your dog enjoys raiding the litter box, place a gate across the entrance of the room where the litter box is kept to allow the cat to pass through but not the dog.
 

Households with Children

From the start, children should be taught how to properly approach a dog. The child should be taught some basic dog body language so that they will know to leave the dog alone when his fur is raised, he is barring his teeth, his tail is between his legs, or he is growling. Your child should be taught how to properly pet a dog, not to pull its tail or ears, not to run away screaming from a dog, not to try to play with a sleeping, eating, or nursing dog, or try to take his toys or food or treats away. A child should also not play with a dog unsupervised. The key to a harmonious household is to supervise the interactions between the dog and the young child. Children can share in the responsibility of caring for your dog; just make sure that an adult is ultimately responsible for the care of the dog.
 

Households with Senior Citizens

Dogs can make great companions for senior citizens. The most important thing for seniors is to make sure they can provide the care and support required in owning a dog. This includes being able to walk and manage the dog. The temperament and size of the dog needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a dog for a senior. Also, it is important for a senior citizen to establish who will take care of the dog if they become unable to do so themselves.
 

Allergies

Controlling allergies takes some work, but it is definitely doable if someone is committed to it. The allergens your pet carries are associated with its skin, hair follicles, and saliva. Dander, a naturally occurring combination of skin cells and saliva, is most often the cause of pet allergies. Dander is shed from your dog and embeds itself in carpeting, furniture, and draperies and stays in the environment for a long time causing allergic reactions. It is the protein in this dander that causes the reactions. Some dogs shed more of this dander then others, making them less tolerable then other dogs.
The problem of allergies can be solved by making some minor adjustments to your environment. People who have allergies are rarely allergic to just one particular thing. Since the allergic person is sensitive to more than one thing, it is the “Total Allergen Level” that causes a reaction. Whether or not a person has symptoms depends on how many allergens are in the environment. An individual who is allergic to animals may exhibit no noticeable symptoms when the total exposure is below his allergy threshold level. The goal should be to minimize exposure to allergens that exceed your tolerance threshold and trigger attacks. Air purifiers, vacuums with air filters, and keeping your environment clean and free of dust and hair are important in controlling your allergies. If you have allergies, you might want to consider not letting your dog sleep on your pillows or bed.
Feeding a high quality diet greatly reduces dander production due to the dog’s skin being healthier. There are food, treats, and shampoos on the market that reduce shedding, thus reducing dander production. There are also de-shedding tools such as the Furminator that can reduce the allergic reactions as well.
Talk to your physician about medications that are available to help with allergies.
 

Dog Proof your House

Make sure your house does not have any items that are harmful to your dogs. This can include poisonous plants, plastic bags, and chemical cleaners. Chemicals in household cleaners can be dangerous to your dog. Please check the labels. The ASPCA Poison Control Hotline (888.426.4435) can provide pet owners with additional and valuable information about household chemicals and plants that can be harmful to your pets. If you have a puppy, you will want to make sure that all your valuables and small items that the puppy could get into are off the floor.
 

In Case of Emergency

Make sure you have the following phone numbers in an easily visible and accessible place:

• The name, number and address of your vet – If you are on vacation, call before you leave to authorize treatment and payment in case something happens while you are gone.
• The name, number and address of the closest emergency vet (24 hour).
• Important medical information – Medications, allergies, etc.
• The person’s information (name, number) of who to call in case something happens to you.