All Creatures Great and Small, Does Your Dog Respect Them All?
Does your dog chase your cat, bully your bunny or pester your parrot?
Dogs are naturally predatory animals and so it can be difficult for them to understand that other pets which they may normally consider prey, are actually part of their pack and must be treated as such. There are, however, a number of things you can do to make it clear to your dog that other pets are not dinner!
Safe meet and greets
Whether you are introducing a new pet or trying to remedy your dog’s relationship with an existing pet the method is the same. Have your dog on a lead and head collar or muzzle, and normal collar if you prefer. Also, have your pocket full of highly prized treats or a very special toy.
Ask the dog to sit and then praise and treat him. Have someone else bring the other pet into the room but remain at a distance. With your dog safely on the leash ignore any inappropriate reaction to the other pet and wait for
your dog to calm down.
As soon as he is calm praise and treat, then ask him to do some basic commands praising and treating again. Once your dog is reliably focusing on you with the other pet in the room the other pet should be brought closer. Again everyone should ignore the dog until he is calm. Once he is calm, praise and treat then run through a few more commands.
The overall aim is for your dog to find listening to you more interesting than the other pet, in fact your dog should eventually find the other pet rather uninteresting once he is used to having it around a lot.
Using alpha training
Alpha training is a useful tool for helping your dog understand that not only is the other pet part of the pack but it is also a more dominant pack member than him. You can show your dog that the other pet is more dominant by giving the other pet first access to resources such as food, toys, sleeping places and your attention.
Things you can try:
- When you come home ignore all the pets for ten minutes and then greet the pet you want to be dominant first. After a few minutes greet your dog.
- Once you have eaten your meal, let your dog see you feed your other pets. Do not feed your dog until the other pets have finished.
- Allow your other pets to access prized areas such as the bed or couch but do not allow your dog the same privilege.
Set your dog up for success not failure
Especially while you are still training your dog make sure that you do not leave your dog in a situation where it can fail, for example do not leave your kitten and your dog alone in a room together where you cannot respond to your dogs behavior and where your kitten has no safe place to retreat to if necessary. Only allow your dog access to the other pet in a safe and controlled way until you are 100% sure they are safe together and that your dog understands the other pets place in the pack.
All the best,
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/
P.S. Forward this Newsletter to a friend
If you have a friend you think may be interested in training their dog or solving a particular dog behavior problem, please feel free to forward them this Newsletter.
P.P.S. Remember – you have full access to our Members’ Forum
Because you are a Member of ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ you have full access to our Members’ Forum. If you have a dog behavior question or a related problem, you are most welcome to bring it to the Forum. Post a detailed description for our trainers and fellow Members to read. Within 1-4 working days you will see recommendations on how to solve it once and for all.
If you haven’t already registered for the Forum, you can do this from the Members’ Area: http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/members/ or you can go straight there by clicking here – http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dog/forum/
Previous Newsletters
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27
28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48