Pets meeting pets can be a stressful time, especially if you have a dog or cat that isn’t very outgoing. During the holidays people often want to bring their pets with them to family gatherings. For some pets, this can be fun! For others, it can be stressful. So, here are some tips for introducing animals to other animals. Here I will describe the protocol for dogs, but the process is quite similar for other animals.
Neutral Zone and Useful Tools
A neutral zone, when working with animals, is essentially an environment that neither of the animals has an emotional link to. For example, dogs, or any type of animal, often develop a strong emotional link to their home and family and even develop certain forms of possessiveness over their home. Even if the animals are naturally calm and well behaved, they still might feel that their home belongs to them, and there is a possibility that they will become possessive in at least a minor way (e.g. jealousy). Thus, if possible, it is better to have animals meet in a neutral zone. An effective neutral zone depends on the animals. If the you have a calm and even-tempered social dog, the neutral zone might simply be outside, or even the living room. Places that often don’t work are the entryway and front door area of the house. If you have a dog that is not good with other animals, a better neutral zone might be somewhere completely off the property. You could try meeting in someone else’s house or outside on a walk.
Some useful tools to help can be barriers, a leash and harness, a crate, a mat, and treats and a clicker. Barriers can be useful for management. If you are concerned that one of the dogs will have trouble with the meeting process, you can place a barrier between the animals and reward them for being calm on either side of the barriers. You can also cover the barrier if this helps the dogs avoid staring at each other, which can increase tension. A leash and harness can be helpful when you are outside. However, these can sometimes increase tension, so if you have dogs who deal with dog on dog aggression, please get help from a positive reinforcement trainer to help you through this process. A crate and a mat are great for both management and training. Giving each dog their own space and teaching them to go there when they are stressed by the other dog, can help you know when they need space and you help them get that space. If you see one dog go to its crate or mat, you know they want their own space and you can then ask the other dog to do the same. With all of these tools, make sure you have treats available to reward wanted behaviors such as sitting and making eye contact when you are using a barrier and leash, laying down in their crate or on their mat when they want space, or during hands-on training when you have the clicker. This brings me to positive reinforcement.
Positive Reinforcement
Whether it is with dogs who love meeting other dogs, or with dogs who don’t enjoy meeting other dogs, any introduction needs positive reinforcement. If you have animals who do enjoy meeting other animals having treats can be great! Simply give treats to each animal as they meet and interact with each other. Give them treats for calmly sniffing each other, walking away from each other, and coming to you when you call (even if they are playing).
If you have dogs who are not always comfortable with other animals being around, grab your clicker. If you have never used a clicker, contact a positive reinforcement trainer to teach you how to use the clicker and how to work with animals who do not do well with other animals. If you have used a clicker before, now is a great time to grab the clicker and some treats! Pick a behavior, such as eye contact, and click and treat for that behavior. After a few minutes of working with both dogs, each at a comfortable distance from the other, end the session on a positive note and then give them both a break in separate, comfortable locations with something to fun to do (like a chew toy). Later that day, work with both dogs again, this time having them lay down at a comfortable distance from each other, then give them a break again. Make sure that they each get time with you without the other pet around. If they gradually get more comfortable with each other, you can reward them for being closer to each other and maybe even playing, but make sure to keep a close eye on them and if you need a break, separate them and give them something fun to do. Make sure to keep each animal within its comfort zone, you want them to succeed, rather than be challenged.
Closing Thoughts
Something to keep in mind is communication between animals. Some dogs have never learned how to read the signals of another dog, especially if they have only had play time with other animals. Please keep in mind that though dogs growling, lunging, and biting are not good behaviors, the dog is simply trying to communicate and should not be punished. Help both dogs learn to respond to the other dog’s communication strategy and how to communicate in a calm manner. For example, if you see one dog go stiff and stare at the other dog, call the other dog away. The stiff dog was asking for space, and if the other does not know that, the first dog will proceed to growl, bark, or even bite. If you have a dog that tends to think everything other animals do is a request to play, keep an eye on it and reward it for giving the other dog space. If the animals are not getting along, they are too stressed, or you are stressed, simply separate them and allow everyone to relax.
One last thing I must say is that animals meeting animals always involves some form of risk. Always get help from a professional, positive reinforcement trainer to make sure that you and your pets remain as safe as possible. If you have pets who you know have aggressive tendencies or dislike meeting other animals, please do not attempt to go through this process without help from a professional. You can give me a call and schedule lessons to learn how to use the clicker and how to help dogs meet each other safely. If you do not live within my service area, you can look here for a local, professional positive reinforcement trainer. Please stay safe and help your pets enjoy the holiday visits from both people and animals! Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!
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