By visiting this page you’ve taken your first step toward responsible pet ownership. Caring for an adopted pet goes far beyond providing food, water and shelter. It takes research and careful planning to bring the right dog into your home, and to make sure your lifestyle is the right one for your pet. Considering the following things will help get you started.
Dogs and cats have individual personalities, so finding the right match for both animals is essential to their future relationship. Things to ask yourself before searching for your new dog are: is my cat accustomed to dogs? Does my cat prefer to snuggle up to a dog or prefer to be left alone? Does my cat have a tendency to run away from dogs? All of these things will help determine if your cat is comfortable living with a dog and what canine personality would be the best match for them. If your cat is new to dogs, then it’s helpful to find out if the dog you’re interested in adding to your family has any experiences with cats. Regardless of past history, it’s essential that you take introductions of cats and dogs slowly and provide proper management. This is just as true for dogs that have previously lived with cats, as it is with dogs that have an unknown history living with cats.
Yes. The key to creating a happy multi-dog household is knowing your dog and finding the right match for them. All dogs are individuals. While some dogs will happily hang out with all dogs, there are a rare few that will not get along with any other dogs. The majority of adult dogs fall some where in between those two extremes. Some dogs prefer housemates of the opposite gender, while others are comfortable with the same gender. And some dogs like to play with other dogs, but would prefer not to live with them. With that in mind, it’s important to know the dog you currently have and understand what he likes in his friends, before you begin your search. Once you have chosen a dog, be sure to take your time with introductions.
Yes, kids and dogs are individuals. The best way to create a good match between a dog and your child is to know your children and understand what works best for them. Once you determine your child’s needs, you can search for a dog that would be a good match. Interactions between dogs and children should always be supervised, starting at day one.
Yes, if your landlord permits.
Yes. Everyone was a first time dog owner at some time in their lives! To find the right dog for your family, know what you want in a dog and seek out that personality. Look for a dog that suits your lifestyle as it is now, not as you might wish it to be. For example, if you already enjoy daily vigorous exercise, such as running, then find a dog that will enjoy that lifestyle with you. If you are a couch potato and love to stay home and watch movies, consider adopting a lower key dog. Be honest about what you like to do, then find the dog that matches your lifestyle.
Every dog will have different exercise needs, so you’ll be able to find a dog that fits your lifestyle. Talk to the people that work with the dogs at your shelter or rescue. Be honest about your lifestyle and let them help you find a “pit bull” dog that has a similar energy level.
All dogs will all have individual personalities and therefore their tolerance for other dogs will differ. If your dog is an adult, it helps to figure out his personal play style – does he like to wrestle or chase? Does he prefer gentle play or is he a rough and tumble guy? Matching dogs with similar play styles will help set up successful, fun friendships. If your dog is not comfortable playing with other dogs or needs more structure, consider socializing him in a more controlled setting, like a training class, a dog walking club, or on parallel leashed dog walks with friends. If your dog is a puppy, teach him to enjoy dogs of different sizes, shapes and styles. This can often be done through a puppy socialization class. Make sure you do not put your puppy with dogs that are not appropriate. Training also helps – Call us for info on dog training classes 516-308-6221
No, What you need to be is consistent with your dog, so that he knows what is expected of him. Ask him to earn things that are important to him by sitting and waiting patiently. Reinforce good behaviors and you will have a well balanced dog. 516-308-6221
Dogs scuffle for many different reasons. A negative interaction with another dog is in no way an accurate or reliable predictor for how dogs will react to people or even to other dogs. It’s important to try to understand what might have caused the altercation. To do this, make a list of what happened before and after the incident. To prevent it from happening again in the future, it’s a good idea to call a trainer or behaviorist to help you sort through this and set your dog up for future success. If the dogs in your home are not getting along, it’s important that they are managed properly (through crates, gates, and other space barriers) and you seek help from a professional.