Featured Adoption

A lot of people think that getting their dog a puppy or another adult dog for companionship is a terrific idea, and it IS! But then it seems like fights break out, or the two dogs together seem to feed off each other's misbehavior. Or even worse, the initial meeting goes awry and you end up with one very angry and territorial established pet.

In an effort to help smooth things out for you, here are a list of Do's and Don'ts for that first meeting. The very first thing you should do, is make sure that the established dog is at least somewhat agreeable to other dogs. If however, he tries to annihilate every dog he meets, maybe getting him a canine playmate is not such a good idea. It is also recommended that you get a dog of similar energy and in some cases, temperament. Two easy-going, hyper dogs will co-exist better than a somewhat sour, couch-potato dog and a hyper dog combination.

Always take both the established dog and the new dog to a neutral setting. A parking lot, a park, down the street, a friend's house. This will circumvent the first territorial instincts. Keep both dogs on leashes and approach slowly. You'll need a friend, or keep one dog confined in a car or crate. If all is going well, bring the dogs home, but leave them outside for a while and keep an eye on their interaction. This will help reduce the chance of any territorial marking that may happen indoors. Allow the dogs to establish their pack order, do not attempt to intervene if male posturing occurs. One dog will most likely back down, and it will be up to you to reinforce that order. Do NOT try to force sharing of toys, beds, or dishes. Each dog should have his own, and the dominant dog should be fed first. Hopefully all goes well during these critical first few days and dog number two becomes a permanent and welcome fixture in the family. Just remember patience, patience - Rome was not built in a day!

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Dogs and Children

The thought of children and dogs together conjures up warm thoughts in most people, and brings a smile to the face. The reality can be just as wonderful....or it can be disastrous. In order for it to become a joyous thing, knowledge and preparation must be put into the endeavor.

If you already have children and now want a dog or other companion animal, your first question is usually if the dog will be gentle with the kids, but thought must be given to whether the kids will be gentle and respectful to the animal. Children must be taught to respect the puppy's rights. Some children are naturally gentle, but others are not. However, most can be taught. Never leave young children and puppies together unattended. A puppy has only its teeth to protect it from rough handling and squeezing. Many small breeds are easily hurt by well-intentioned but clumsy youngsters, and tiny bones can be broken if the puppy is dropped or stepped on. Large breeds can inadvertently knock young children sprawling. Even giant breeds can be injured by children whose parents allow them to ride the dog. NO DOG'S BACK IS STABLE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF EVEN THE SMALLEST CHILD.

If the dog was in the home before the arrival of the new baby, there may be different issues to deal with. Some dogs are naturally nurturing and protective of all children, especially those in their own family. Others might be suspicious or frightened of the new baby at first. These dogs need to be watched, encouraged and included in the events. Occasionally, there may be an element of "sibling rivalry" that comes with the new addition to the family. With the help of your vet or other dog professional, this can usually be overcome.

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Thunderstorm Phobias

Do you have a dog that hides, barks or acts out during thunderstorms? This is one of the most common phobias in dogs. A fear of thunderstorms can cause petrified pets to tremble, whine, drool, hide - even destroy their surroundings or hurt themselves. While behaviourists have not yet been able to determine what it is about a storm that strikes fear in the canine heart, some veterinarians now think there may be inherited reasons for the phobia. Results of a recent survey discovered some interesting trends among "thunder-phobia dogs". Herding dogs and hounds were most likely to develop a fear of storms, followed by Sporting and Working breeds. This may suggest that the tendency may be influenced by characteristics for which the dogs are selectively bred. Herding dogs are bred for quick reaction to stimuli without aggression - by repressing their reaction to strong stimuli, they may cause themselves higher anxiety. Rescued and shelter dogs also scored high on the list, suggesting that traumatic experiences or under socialization can also contribute to the fear.

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