The holiday season is among us and with holidays comes visits from friends and family. Recently someone asked me what to do about family coming to stay with them and they had no choice but to bring their dog as all the dog kennels were booked. She was wondering what to do with her dog as there was some concern that the two may not get along. She didn’t want to spend the holidays separating and isolating the dogs or worse having dog fights resulting in injuries. Anytime there is a visiting canine friend, it is always important to maintain your house rules at all time. It is never fair to isolate your dog to make room for a visiting dog. So the best way to introduce a new visiting canine companion is to take the two dogs for a structured controlled walk FIRST. Before you bring the new dog into the house, before you let them meet and sniff. Take your dog out and join the visiting dog in a walk. If there is a lot of tension keep dogs apart (ie dog/person/person/dog) keep walking until the dogs are calming down and not focusing on each other. When they are calm move one dog in (ie dog/person/dog/person) keep walking until you can walk the two dogs together and everyone is calm and relaxed. The walk does a couple of things. First and foremost it re-establishes your relationship as pack leader. Secondly it gets rid of excess energy and thirdly it allows the dogs to ‘meet‘ on neutral territory. Always remember a controlled walk is one where you walk with calm purpose and the dogs walk beside or slightly behind you. It gets your dog in the natural frame of mind of following. Something they were born to do. It also helps to calm down the brain which is excited due to the new guests. Moving forward with purpose prevents the dogs from focusing on each other which may build tension between the two of them. Instead the walk gets them working together as a ‘pack‘. The exercise is also critical to relieve pent up energy especially if your visiting guest has traveled a long way and probably needs to stretch his legs. And finally the worst thing you can do is introduce the new dog into your dogs territory especially if your dog ( or more importantly you) are unsure or apprehensive of the new arrival. During the walk make sure you remain calm and in control. Keep walking till both dogs are calm and there is no longer any tension between them. When returning home make sure YOU go through the doorway first and the dogs wait patiently until invited in. Maintain routines as usual. Both dogs should wait and be calm before being fed. All house rules about sleeping arrangements, furniture, dog toys etc should also be set and controlled. And everyone should be on board with the rules. Remember it shouldn’t matter that if the dogs aren't the best of buddies, as long as they both understand that the humans are in charge at all times. And lastly try to remember to maintain your dogs daily routines especially exercise. Routine is always important as your dog relies on this structure to find security, safety and over all well being. Have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.
Walk on
Tracy
No comments:
Post a Comment