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INTRODUCING PETS
Cats -
- Allow meeting to happen in a quiet relaxed atmosphere with an escape route for the cat if needed.
- Have dog on lead, wearing box muzzle, with handler sitting down.
- Bring cat into room – but do not pick up above ground level.
- If the dog lunges forward pull back sharply ( fingers under collar) whilst saying ‘NO’.
- Watch cat does not scratch the dogs’ face as it can cause eye damage.
- Do not allow either animal to become over excited or stressed. Have a break and try later. Make sure there is a safe place
for the cat apart from the dog.
- A toy WATER PISTOL can be used to discourage lunging.
Remember -
- A dog may treat a cat differently when it is curled up indoors to when it jumps off the fence or appears through the cat flap.
- Dogs who live quite happily with one or more cats may still regard a cat crossing the garden as fair game for chasing!
Persistent lunging with dog not responding to owners’ commands
will mean the dog is not suitable to live with a cat. THIS MUST BE TRIED BEFORE ADOPTION.
Dogs -
- You need 2 people.
- Remove toys/food etc.
- Use neutral territory or garden. Not in house to start.
- Put box muzzles and leads on dogs.
- Allow dogs to sniff each other on loose leads and just walk around.
- Leaving muzzled let off leads and allow dogs to sniff each other and move about freely.
- Give dogs separate beds etc to start – they may choose to sleep together later.
- Feed apart and don’t leave unattended to start with. Separate for bones and chews until you are confident.
Tail Position - tails give a clue to a dogs' feelings
- Wagging from side to side – dog feels happy and relaxed.
- Very stiff or tucked between legs – may feel frightened or apprehensive. May try to back away or be defensively aggressive.
- Exaggerated wagging and fixed stare – may view other dog as prey or feel very aggressive towards it.
Urination
When meeting both dogs must be allowed to urinate freely.
Urinating over each others’ urine is normal behaviour, as
is sniffing each other. One dog will always dominate to a greater
or lesser extent – they must be allowed to decide this for
themselves.
Remember
the majority of dogs are naturally sociable and want to be part of a pack.
Other Small Pets
There are those greyhounds who will learn to live with house rabbits/cats
and all manner of other animals. Much can be achieved with dedicated
training but you must decide how much time you can realistacally
give.. However, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens kept in hutches etc
will soon be ignored once the dog realises they are not available.
This is where the ‘NO’ training comes in. The same animal
running free may be seen as ‘fair game’. I have always
kept hens and none of my greyhounds have ever bothered with them
after the initial interest but my 17yr old Jack Russell has never
given up trying to get into their enclosure!
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