Puppies that live with me have to learn to get along with my
dogs, cats, chickens, goats and a ram and live in harmony (for the most part). I
want them to be able to socialise with other dogs when it’s appropriate to do
so and accept new dogs into our house. But I also want them to ignore other
dogs too, I don’t want them to run over to every dog they see on a walk or try
to pull towards dogs on lead. I definitely want them to ignore animals away from
home like cows, sheep and horses.
That’s quite a big ask! But here’s an idea of how I have achieved
it so far
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| Summer meets the chickens and Mr Goose |
My animals (dogs, cats, chickens, goats, ram)
My puppy is never left unattended with any of the other
animals. Initially there is lots of supervision any time my puppy is going to
be around any of my other animals. If I can’t supervise than the puppy is kept
separate from the others as I don’t want to risk anything going wrong when I’m
not there or can’t get there fast enough.
My dogs and cats are great teachers when it comes to helping
a puppy learn what’s appropriate and what’s not. All my animals are used to new
puppies coming into the home and generally tolerate them well, but I still
watch for signs from any of the animals, including the puppy, that they are
uncomfortable with an interaction or proximity from the other and respond
accordingly.
I spend time rewarding the puppy for stuff I like, the two
main ones are usually watching the other animals calmly and coming away when
called or asked to leave it. Because my puppy may not always get this bit right
straight away I might use a light trailing line so I can prevent the puppy
getting themselves into any trouble.
Other dogs
I hand-pick the dogs my puppy gets to spend time socialising
with, especially in the early days (first few weeks) when I want to make sure
they are having appropriate interactions with dogs and I know they aren’t going
to have a really scary experience.
When we’re out and about and likely to encounter dogs I don’t
know, I tend to hang back with my puppy and encourage them to stay with me,
rewarding them for making good choices like paying attention to me rather than
the random dog. Once my puppy is a bit older, gaining confidence and off lead*
on walks I’ll let them start to greet other dogs we might encounter where it’s appropriate
to do so (I don’t let my off lead dogs approach on lead dogs).
*puppy is only let off lead once I know they can reliably
come back when I call, even if they spot another dog, if they can’t the puppy
is on a long line until they can.
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| Summer meets adult dog Brian |
Other animals
I want my puppy to get used to and ignore other animals we
encounter on walks, I don’t want them to
try and make ‘friends’ like they may do with another dog or my animals at home,
nor do I want them to think chasing (or in Scout’s case herding!) them is great
fun!
When we encounter other animals on walks, where possible, I spend
time rewarding my puppy for checking in with me when we see potentially
exciting or scary looking animals. We may also practice some of our other training
exercises like loose lead walking or waits. We also work on lots of
self-control at home, in anticipation of those times an animal might take us by
surprise, like a pheasant hiding in the hedgerow that takes off suddenly!!
So, that’s how I introduce (or not) my puppy to other
animals. It seems like a lot of hard work in the beginning but the big pay-off
comes when I can reliably have my dogs be calm around my other animals, reliably
be off lead around other dogs and ignore livestock* or come away from a pheasant
they have just flushed.
*my dogs are always on lead where there is livestock or the
chance we may encounter it
If you need some extra help with you dog’s behaviour around
other animals, including other dogs, we can help.
For help with recall, manners or loose lead walking our
acuity sessions may be the best option
Happy Training
Clare and the Gang
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