Do Dogs Get Along With Other Pets?

Dog lovers are often animal people, meaning that you might want to have multiple pets in your home. Do dogs get along with other pets? Here’s what you need to know about introducing additional pets to your dog.

Dogs Do Get Along With Other Pets

In short, many dogs can get along with other pets just fine. Dogs have been known to cohabitate with cats, rabbits, other dogs, and even birds quite peacefully. However, a proper introduction and training needs to take place in order for a dog to live with other pets. It’s important to remember that, even with proper introduction and training, each dog is an individual. Some dogs simply may not get along with certain pets. If you’re bringing a new pet into a household where a dog is already present, then it’s best to do so on a trial basis, just to make sure that everything works out between your dog and your new pet.

Introducing Other Pets to Your Dog

When you bring a new pet into your home, you need to make its introduction to your dog a slow one. Keep the new pet in a separate room from your dog for a few days, and then start making short, supervised introductions. Make sure that your dog is securely leashed for these introductions, and have multiple family members available to help. Try to introduce the new pet during times when your dog is already relaxed, and have your dog sit to meet the new pet. If your dog gets too excited, end the meeting and try again later. With time, you can lengthen the duration of these introductions, and can begin to teach your dog about how to behave around your new pet. Much of your approach will depend on the type of pet that you’ve added to your home. Be sure to pay plenty of attention to your dog while the new pet is present so that he doesn’t feel left out or ignored.

Training Your Dog to Get Along with Other Pets

Even once your dog has gotten used to the new pet, you will need to train your dog about how to interact with your new pet. Dogs instinctively chase prey which runs from them, so you will need to teach your dog a cue for sit and stay. It may be a good idea to enlist the help of a dog trainer during this time.

Keeping Your Dog and Other Pets Safe

It’s important to always remember that your dog has natural instincts which can override his training in some instances. If you have small pets, like hamsters in the house, then it’s important to always be vigilant in supervising the pets when your dog is around. In the case of small pets, it may be simpler to not allow the dog in the room when the pets are out. Make sure that cages are securely closed and out of the dog’s reach.