January 15, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Blind Date

As I communicate with more and more members of the public, I am struck by the variety of individuals who contact us about meeting our sweet Georgia peach. Adopting a new family member can be such an exciting time, and we are so thankful for the many people who are considering her as the perfect addition. I wanted to take the opportunity to discuss not just the facts behind the adoption process, but also the perspective I hold as the foster.

The first step to adopting a dog from LCPO, is to fill out an adoption application. This is pretty standard stuff. The application includes questions about your family members (both two and four-legged!) as well as your daily routine (ie: how often will your pup be left alone?). It will request information about your living arrangements, such as whether you have access to a fenced-in yard, and whether you own your home or are renting from an agreeable landlord. The rescue will also want the contact information of your veterinary clinic, and a few other references. Please understand, these references will be contacted.

Once your application has been approved, the next step is typically to set up a home visit. This home visit simply serves to confirm that what you have listed on your application was honest and genuine. Trust me, as a foster, I was nervous for my home visit, even though I knew I had nothing to hide. I have told a few of our interested applicants that it is not much more than assurance that you are not a drug addict or an animal hoarder! However, it is the rescue’s first impression of you as an adopter, so it is important to put your best foot forward. They will want to meet any resident pets, as well.

The third step is, of course, to meet the prospective pooch and foster family! This is often called a meet-and-greet. It is about meeting the dog you have probably already fallen in love with, through pictures and stories, and assuring that it is a match made in heaven. Remember, for some rescue dogs, their first impression may not be the most realistic. In Georgia’s case, she often seems excitable when meeting new people, because new people are her FAVORITE! But through what you have read about her up to this point, you know that in the home, she is about as low-energy as it gets. It is important to remember that while the foster families have probably been working very hard to improve their temporary pup’s social skills, you should not expect an ‘insta-pet’. If you are applying to adopt this pup, it is important that you be committed to slowly assisting the dog in a proper integration into your family, and all of the additional training that may require.

The other part of the meet-and-greet, is for the dog to meet any resident pets. In Georgia’s case, I am pretty confident that she will do well with cats, but other dogs will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. What should a family’s expectations be for these introductions? With some dogs, particularly puppies and youngsters, it is absolutely realistic to expect play-time to ensue! This also may be realistic with dogs that have been well-socialized from a young age. However, with dogs like Georgia, that may not have always been properly socialized, a meet-and-greet should start slowly, similarly to the process we outlined on dog integration. If, by the end of the intros, the dogs are able to walk happily beside one another while leashed, with positive body language, then the meeting was successful! The two-week de-stress will take care of the rest (more on that later).

If the stars have all aligned up to this point, you and the rescue may decide that the pup is a perfect match for your family! In our rescue group, the adoption fee is $200. This may seem like a lot to the amateur owner, but those of us who are seasoned pet owners understand that this is truly a bargain! Georgia’s medical bills included all of her updated vaccinations, as well as her spay, heartworm treatment and monthly medication, medications for her skin allergy, and even the costs associated with all of her puppies! Whew! I can guarantee that this cost our rescue many times the $200 adoption fee. In addition to that, as her foster family, we have provided her with many toys, blankets, enrichment, and of course, her food. We have also donated the funds for her behavior and obedience training. If you truly analyze the costs and benefits, you are getting a true bargain! In Georgia’s case, she will also go to her new home with a Freedom No-Pull harness and leash (lifetime warranty!), cupcake martingale collar, medicated shampoo, her crate bed, special blanket, winter coat, and some of her favorite toys. While the adoption fee may not come close to covering the investments of the rescue or foster family, it does serve a few additional purposes. First of all, it prevents someone with less-than-honorable intentions from easily adopting a pup. Additionally, it suggests that the family is in a position to financially provide for the dog’s medical needs in the future

Finally, arrangements will be made for the dog to go home with you! Please understand what an emotional process this will probably be for your foster. They have loved and nurtured your family member for anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more! They have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with the dog. They have probably dealt with behavior issues, home destruction, medical problems, and doggie integration. They have also experienced late-night couch cuddles, outdoor adventures, and training breakthroughs. This dog has their heart as much as it might have yours, and they are trusting you with something they care deeply about. Respect their sacrifice, and see it as a show of trust!

While the dog coming home may seem like the light at the end of the tunnel, be aware that this is where your hard work truly begins. LCPO, and most other reputable rescues, requires that new adopters integrate the new dog by utilizing the two-week de-stress process that we outlined in last week’s posts (here and then part II here). You have made a commitment to loving and protecting this dog, and so that means that you are also committed to his or her training and integration.

Training session with Foster Dad

I want to keep this post positive, but I do have to touch on a few surprises I have learned as new people contact me. The vast majority of interested families have been kind and compassionate and all-around wonderful! However, we have been surprised by a few responses. We had one person complain that we hadn’t moved quickly enough, when three days after they sent their application to LCPO, they hadn’t yet been contacted for a home visit or meet-and-greet. Remember, our rescue is very thorough in checking references. This is a marathon, not a sprint! The process exists to protect the dogs, which should be everyone’s first priority. Secondly, there have been a few individuals who have insinuated that they are doing us a favor by expressing interest in our sweet Georgia girl. We need to get one thing straight with that. While we are endlessly greatful to anyone that chooses to adopt a needy pup, we are not interested in pawning her off on the first person that comes along. This is not about ‘first-come, first-served,’ but about making the best match for everyone involved. Along those lines, our rescue will always accept multiple applications on a dog. It is clear that only 1 out of about every 10 applications that they receive, will actually result in a successful adoption. If you look at bringing Georgia into your home, as a favor to us, or as a right because you are the first applicant, you are probably in the wrong place. The foster and adoptive families should approach this as a team, both looking for the ideal end result; a wonderful forever home for the pup, and a special new family member for the adopter. You should be willing to make an effort to achieve this goal. Remember, the rescue probably has any number of available dogs, and therefore many emails to answer, applications to review, and adoptions to process. You are not their only ‘customer’! Please be patient, and appreciative of the process they are trying to uphold. Of course, the foster family and rescue want to make you happy, but you should also be making an effort to show them why you are worthy of this dog, in whom they have invested so much of their hearts and effort. You should show them why you would be a great fit, how much you want to make the dog a part of your family, and how much effort you are willing to put into the process.

While there are many reasons to consider adoption in place of purchasing a dog from a breeder, one benefit our rescue offers is continued assistance to adopters. LCPO is always available to help with any issues you might face with your dog, from financial issues to housing situations, as well as any behavior problems that may develop, and training. They can even help with trouble-shooting medical problems and make recommendations for veterinary assistance. Finally, LCPO requires that if at any point, the dog is no longer able to remain in your capable care, he or she be returned to the rescue organization. Of course, as the foster family, I will always want to remain in contact with the adopters, and am willing to go to any lengths to help make sure the dog becomes a successful part of the family.

If you are interested in adding a new family member to your household, I highly recommend that you check out this post, written by my friend Morgan at Temporary Home, Permanent Love. She talks about the fact that while indiscriminate breeding is a problem facing the world of companion animals, the bigger problem facing this industry, and the world as a whole, is a lack of commitment upheld. While we welcome any interest in our sweet girl, please be sure that you are ready to commit to her for the rest of her life. She deserves nothing less than the best!

January 14, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Frogs, Snails, & Georgia Tails

One of the reasons that you may not have heard from us every day this past week, is because we got to spend a wonderful week with our nephews! While their mama was out of town, the boys, who are 5 and almost 3, taught me all about race cars, trucks, and hide-and-seek. Let’s just say, we were busy! (On that note, please excuse the mess that was our house! I promise, things are more tidy now. Who knew how difficult it would be to keep up with 2 kids, 3 dogs, a cat, and a husband?!)

Georgia has only had a little bit of experience around children. In one of her previous foster homes, there was a young member of the family, and we have also had her around children occasionally. However, since we don’t have any “two-legged puppies” in our household, it can be hard to find the opportunity to expose her to youngsters. (I’m not sure it would go over well to ask strangers if we could borrow their kids to be our potential chew-toys. 😉 KIDDING, of course!) Regardless of all of that, we can gather a lot about her potential compatibility with a busy family, just from her everyday personality. In our home, Georgia is about as quiet as a lamb, so we were pretty confident that she would do well around children. She is not a hyper-active dog, and has basic manners in place, including polite behavior around food and toys. She is also an absolute cuddlebug, that craves human attention. She has no problems with her face, tummy, ears, feet, etc being played with or touched, and she rides well in the car. There are certainly no red-flags that come up with her behavior that would make her automatically unsuitable for family living.

Even more applicable, is the behavior she shows us when out and about. Of course, Georgia loves everyone she meets, so she is excited when passing adults. However, if she sees a miniature human (or tricycle motor, as Foster Dad lovingly refers to them!) she becomes a wriggling ball of puppy happiness, and tries her best to get closer. Somewhere in her life, she has had really great experiences with kids. We wanted to make sure that in her excitement to be around children, she would keep her licking and jumping at bay. To keep everyone safe and happy, we employed a shortened version of the procedure we outlined last week, for introducing the dogs.

Our first step was to set up the baby gates, so that Georgia could see the boys playing or running or jumping, without having access to unlimited licks-a-lot. During this time, she offered plenty of adorableness to reassure us that she would love to join in on the fun! Lots of bottom-wiggling, tail-wriggling, and all around happy body language. We began the training process by asking her to sit, and then lay down, and giving her treats when appropriate. This was followed by what some trainers refer to as ‘posturing.’ This is where you wait for your dog to offer the appropriate behavior (calmly laying down, in this case) without specifically requesting or commanding it, and then rewarding them for making the right ‘choice’. The method behind this procedure, is that it teaches the dogs to use their canine noggins to choose positive behaviors when faced with new situations, without always needing to look to you for guidance.

“Pleeeease can I play?”

Once Georgia was consistently displaying calm body language at the gate when the boys were playing, it was time for the baby gates to come down. My next step was to keep Georgia on leash in the same room as the boys. While I was typing on the blog, to be honest, I kept her leash attached to me. She was not within reaching distance of the boys, and I had control of her if they chose to come near her. We repeated the above procedure, and I gave her treats or praise for sitting quietly. The boys eventually began approaching her, and I could easily use the leash to correct her if she tried to lick or got too excitable around them. She was rewarded for sitting quietly while they pet her, or laying beside them while they played. Eventually, we graduated with having Georgia loose, but with a leash still attached. This way, if her kisses got out of control, I was able to apply quick response, but still allow her to move freely around the room.

That’s not a dog, it is actually a mountain. For driving cars. Duh.

Obviously, the third and final step, was to allow Georgia to remain off-leash in the same room as myself and the boys. We started with a down-stay, a verbal command from me, where she had to stay laying in one spot while they played around her. Eventually, as her behavior was increasingly calm and quiet, I allowed her to wonder around the room while they played. It wasn’t long before they were laying on the floor together, or using her as the ‘mountain’ for their cars.

Partners in crime

As she is with almost every situation we have faced with her, Georgia was a total rock star. Of course, you could attribute this to her stellar personality (duh!) or you could blame it on Foster Mom’s ~~skills~~ luck. However, my personal reflection on Georgia’s success in all she does, is not just her attitude, but that we approach things very slowly, and constantly look to her for queues on when to proceed. We are careful to never set unrealistic expectations with our dogs, and always willing to slow down if things seem to be overwhelming them. I believe strongly that when dogs are approached as unique individuals, there is very little that cannot be achieved with most pups.

Wasting no time, snuggling commensed almost immediately.

Wasting no time, snuggling commenced almost immediately.

While corresponding with a potential adopter in regards to her young, active son, we came upon a topic that struck a nerve with me. I felt that it was something that was imperative to convey to Georgia’s audience, and particularly any other families that might be hoping to adopt our girl. While Georgia has a great personality, that should be a wonderful fit for any family, she is not a dog that comes with a ton of child experience. She has so many admirable qualities, but we are working on her licking and jumping. This should not disqualify her as a candidate for a family with children, but it just means that her adoptive family should be prepared to put in the effort it requires to make her a happy member of their household. Rescue dogs do not come as ‘insta-pets.’ Really, no dogs do. Sure, one perk of a foster dog, is that they have some basic training, and you are equipped with knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. However, every new family member deserves to be given understanding in the adjustment period, as well as a willingness to enhance their training.

In addition to that, as much as every parent adores their children, it is important that while being mindful of the child’s safety, it is also vital that we ‘protect’ the dog from the kids. If the child is playing too rough or is obviously overwhelming, they should be immediately corrected and removed. As ‘cute’ as it can be when a dog puts up with obnoxious behaviors from children, it is not fair to expect this out of our pups. While we might know that the kids are just trying to play, it can sometimes seem threatening to the dogs. Dogs should be rewarded for patient behavior, but not made to endure unnecessary poking, prodding, and/or riding. If the dog learns that the adults will ‘protect’ them from the kids, they will come to you if they are uncomfortable, rather than resorting to defending themselves by barking, growling, or biting – the only method of communication that they have! Furthermore, a dog should always be given a ‘safe’ place in the house, such as a private kennel or bed, where children are never permitted to play. This gives the dog a location that they can find peace if the children are overwhelming, rather than feeling obligated to defend themselves. Finally, it is just common sense to give a dog a private place, away from youngsters, to enjoy their meals and special treats.

*It is important to consider safety anytime you are introducing a dog to children. Of course, Georgia is not a dog that has issues with guarding her food or toys, but it is important to take these factors into account when considering introductions. However, because she can be wary of other dogs, we were sure not to overwhelm anyone, and kept the dogs separate around the children. Also, particularly in our situation, when dealing with children that are not our own, at NO POINT were the children and Georgia unsupervised. When it is your own child, and a dog you have owned for many years, you may feel more comfortable leaving them unattended. Regardless, in our home, none of the dogs were in the same room as the boys unless I was right there to supervise. This is not because I have any reason to think that there would be an issue, but because I believe that this is the role of a responsible pet owner and child guardian.*

Dogs can be an incredibly special part of a family unit. For many of us, our favorite childhood memories often highlight a particular dog. Perhaps they were our pillow for late-night TV watching, our companion for outdoor adventures, or the willing friend while we dried our tears in their fur. Do you have a pet that is an integral part of your childrens’ lives, or of your own childhood? If so, were they added as a pup or an adult? How did you manage the introductions and adjustment? We’d love to hear you stories!

In the meantime, we are happy to report that Georgia has a few qualified, interested applicants, and we are very hopeful that among them will be someone who is a worthy match for her love and devotion. We fall more in love with her every day, and know she will make a perfect addition to the right family.

January 11, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Three’s a Crowd… Or Not!

(See yesterday’s post for Part One of this series regarding Multi-Dog Households and integration.)

INTEGRATING INDOORS

Once your dogs have been successful with outdoor introductions, they may be ready to begin introductions to the indoor environment together. Not all dogs will initially be playful together, so you know that you have been successful if the dogs display positive and relaxed body language. This varies between dogs, but most dogs will be calm, with a slow wag. Their bodies should not stiffen when in the presence of other dogs. Hard stares and drawn back ears are not good signals.

We got this!

It is also important that while you work on indoor introductions, you are continuing the outdoor time spent together! For our dogs, this was a great way to burn energy as a group, and then the dogs weren’t entirely surprised to see the others in the house. It was fun and enjoyable to be outside on walks together, so why shouldn’t they assume that it would be the same indoors?

Group walk times are everyone’s favorite!

Finally, remember to continue positive reinforcement throughout all of these steps! Every dog is different, so find what works best for them… playing, toys, attention, or food. Just make sure that if one dog is being rewarded, the others are as well, so that jealousy issues do not develop.

Our first step with indoor introductions, was to use a tethering, or tie-down, system. You can read more about it here, but you are essentially securing your pooches to an immovable object. Some big-time rescuers and foster families go so far as to drill holes and harnesses into their walls, but we haven’t gotten quite so fancy around these parts. We simply place the dogs’ leashes around the leg of each couch (Tonka and Gaige) and put Georgia’s around the leg of the kitchen table. The trick is to keep them a safe distance from one another (at least 6 feet apart, at the full distance of their leashes). You don’t want the distance to be close enough that they can taunt one another. Then each dog is hooked to their leash, and we bring a blanket or bed out for them to lay on. Once they have settled down and are displaying calm, positive behavior, we choose to give each of our dogs a high-value treat, such as a bully stick. This is rewarding their calm presence around the other dogs, making it a positive experience, and also shows them that the other dogs are not able to steal their bone or their special space. Start with short amounts of time, then work towards longer durations. We would do this while cooking dinner, and graduated to TV or movie time at night. This step can go on for days or even weeks… until all dogs are calm around one another, and basically willing to ignore the others! They should be bored with this step… that is your goal, before proceeding.

Tonka is not so sure how he feels about all of this

The next step for our family, was to use baby gates in the house. We would begin with the dogs tethered, and then put up two baby gates, in two separate doorways. We would let them off of their tethers, but keep the baby gates in place. The gates were set up so that the dogs could see one another, but not touch, even when off-leash. This allowed the dogs to be loose in the house together, to see that the other dogs were loose, yet not be able to directly interact.
The next step is where things can get ugly, if you aren’t careful. You will be releasing all dogs from their tethers, while keeping just one of the baby gates in place. Someone with authority over the dogs should be placed at the gate/doorway. The dogs will, inevitably, all rush to the gate. Again, lots of love and attention (simultaneously, if possible!) should be lavished on dogs with waggly tails and smiley faces. Any negative body language should be redirected. For us, this worked well by stepping in between the dogs in standard ‘Mom Pose’: arms crossed, feet apart, grumpy stare. This shows the dogs that you are in charge, and also protective. It would also help to have the dogs each interested in something in their own room (toy, bone, etc), so that they are not too concerned about the other dog. Eventually, you will notice them walking casually over to the gate to sniff one another. Place yourself nearby, in case you need to step in to redirect their attention, but if the dogs have all been successful through the previous steps, particularly off-leash interactions outdoors, and you have taken things very slowly, there is no reason you should have any issues by this step. I know I am getting repetitive here, but again, the dogs should be bored before you proceed to the next step.
At some point, when dogs were calm, quiet, and happy around one another, we chose to work on simple obedience with dogs on either side of the gate. For example, we would ask all dogs to sit, regardless of which side they sat on, and give them treats for good behavior. It is important that your dogs not be too food-aggressive, and very responsive, for this step. Your dogs should have their “sit-stay” down, before you proceed. This is rewarding positive behavior, as well as obedience, and reminding them that time together is fun!

Finally, your goal is obviously for the baby gates to come down! This step will need to be approached differently for each group of dogs. For example, with excitable dogs like Gaige and nonchalant dogs like Georgia, we let Georgia loose in the house, but kept Gaige leashed. This way, we could control/monitor Gaige’s behavior, and we knew Georgia would not approach her unless she wanted to be friendly. We also worked on group obedience, with sit-stay or down-stay, and giving treats. This allowed us to be in control of the dogs’ bodies, and make it a positive experience. Approach this step at your own discretion, and use your own good judgement. By this point in your experience, you should be experts at reading your own dogs’ body language, and so they will be your best advisors on how to proceed, and at what pace.

A successful multi-dog (and cat-dog?) household

Enjoy!

It was often difficult to take things so slowly, and put off integrating Georgia into our lives fully – she has the ‘poor weedle peeble’ face down, and it was hard to resist! However, the success we have seen in the slow intro method is undeniable. At no point in time did we feel like we were faced with a situation we couldn’t handle. Because each stage builds on the previous one, and we didn’t move on to the next step until we felt confident in the dogs’ security, it was a series of successful and positive interactions for both ourselves, and our pups!

In Case of Emergency

Throughout this process, you may experience some squabbles. That is okay! And probably normal, particularly with adult pups. Remember, a dog growling is not a bad thing, in and of itself. A growl should not necessarily be reprimanded, as this is a dog’s way of warning other dogs that they are reaching the limits of their personal boundaries. If a dog isn’t given permission to growl, they will often be pressured to snap or bite without warning. If your dog growls, evaluate the situation. Are they protecting a toy? Remember, toys should be put up when new dogs are interacting! Are they growling at a puppy that is climbing all over them, or playing too rough? You are the pack leader, and need to help teach younger dogs to respect the other pup’s body language, as well as showing the older dog that you will “protect” them from the unruly youngster! Use your dog’s growling as a signal to you that you need to work on being more observant, and prevent problems before they begin. Responsible dog owners need to become dedicated students of canine body language, and be diligent about preventing the types of triggers that can spark tensions. (Jonathan calls this my super power: my doggie mind-reading ability!) Otherwise, issues will escalate. Sometimes, the dog that is showing these signals may not intend for an argument to ensue, but those body signals could trigger negative consequences in the other animals. If things get out of hand, it works well to ‘discipline’ both dogs involved, by putting them in isolation, such as their kennel or room. They should not be harshly scolded, but the message you are intending to send is that the fun and social time ends when disagreements begin. Because the steps above build upon one another, it can work very well to return back to a previous step if you start noticing problems building with your pups.

Common Triggers:

Body language: raised hackles, hard stares, stiffening of the body, low growls. Keep a close eye out for body language signs that can signal trouble. If you see any of these, call your dogs away to redirect their attention, or step in between their stares with the ‘mom-stance’. It is important to keep in mind that this body language may escalate to a bite, but it can also simply instigate a reaction on the part of another pup.
Competition: Prized chew toys, food and even attention from you or company, can send arousal levels up and spark conflicts in some dogs. Don’t overlook the leftovers in the trash or the piece of hot dog that fell just out of reach under the counter.
Excitement: Play sessions and tug games that get too exciting can cause problems. Charging to the door for a walk or chasing a squirrel in the yard can amp two dogs up to the point where they may clash and redirect on each other. If you see your dogs getting overly aroused, and especially, if they stop listening to you, it’s time to step in and make everybody settle down, using a verbal command or a time out in the crate or on tie-down.

Separate Dogs before Leaving the House

The best of friends!

You have followed all of our ~~expert~~ advice, and have found peace, tranquility, and happiness in a multi-dog household. Woo-hoo! Now, you might find yourself growing complacent with your dogs’ newfound companionship, and convincing yourself that they would be happiest to be left loose together while you are away from the home. This is one of the hardest things for new multi-pit owners to accept: Our dogs can be the best of friends BUT they may still find something, someday, that will cause an argument. When you’re home, a small spat can often be stopped fast with a loud shout. But if you’re not home, this same argument can escalate, drag on and cause injury. Avoid this terrible possibility by crating them when you are away, or at least placing them in separate rooms, behind closed doors. Remember to exercise the dogs before you confine them so they can rest and enjoy a chew toy while you’re away. By following this standard protocol employed by owners of many dog breeds, including and especially the terrier breeds, you can leave the house knowing that you’ve done everything possible to ensure the well being of your pets. Remember, crates also ensure that when your pups aren’t supervised, they are confined and out of mischief like going potty in the house or chewing on your brand new boots.

Summary:

Maintain a strong leadership role so the dogs respect your house rules.
Especially while dogs are getting to know each other, separate before you leave the house.
Know the most common fight triggers and work to prevent them.
Understand that dog dynamics can and do shift along with life changes.
Give your dogs individual attention to strengthen bonds.
Take the steps slowly, as they build on one another. If you or the dogs seem stressed, go back to the previous step.
Become a doggie mind-reader… or at least, educate yourself about canine body language! Use their cues to help you determine how quickly to proceed.
Learn more about tie-downs from the BAD RAP website.

Much of this information was adapted from other sources, including our rescue, LCPO, and BAD RAP. Thank you!

Thank you for following along with our two-part series! We hope it has been a little bit helpful to some of you. Is there anything that was particularly applicable to your situation, or that you plan to try? Do you have any pointers that you can add to ours? We’d love to hear from you! Have a great weekend, friends. 🙂

January 10, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Three’s a Crowd… Or is It?

We are lucky to be involved with LCPO, the rescue that saved Miss Gia from certain death. We foster through their organization, and they in turn offer us endless training advice, in addition to other crucial resources. LCPO brings a lot of experience to the table, and therefore they require that each dog placed into a new home, whether as a foster or a permanent family member, completes the two-week de-stress upon entering the new home. To put it simply, this is a process in which the new pet is kept separate from any other pets for at least two weeks. Sounds fun, huh? It may not be easy, but this is to help ensure success and happiness for all family-members; both two and four-legged! Utilizing the advice from LCPO, as well as tips we’ve picked up along the way, we wanted to share our experiences in achieving peaceful interactions in a multi-dog household.

1. The first step to happy interactions in a multi-dog household is to understand your dogs’ personality and tolerance levels. Every dog is different! It is vital that we be receptive to our dogs’ reactions around other animals, even when it comes to the most subtle body language! This bell curve, designed and described by BAD RAP, is used to show the varying tolerance levels of the pit bulls that they encounter while rescuing. However, in truth, it can apply to many breeds of dog.

“dog-social” : These are dogs that truly enjoy and seek-out the company of other dogs, including housemate dogs. These pups are very easy-going, willing to forgive even the rudest of dog manners, and are often happiest when in the company of other dogs. This category would include most puppies, and a smaller percentage of socially mature dogs (14 months+).

My sweet boy Tonka falls into this category

My sweet boy Tonka falls into the first category

“dog-tolerant”: These dogs are typically non-reactive on leash, and either indifferent or friendly to other dogs. They show relaxed, easy body language in the presence of new dogs. While these pups may not ‘love’ dogs that they don’t know, they would have decent tolerance for rude behavior (a long fuse). It can be gathered that these types of dogs enjoy known dog friends when properly introduced, and in general, succeed with housemate dogs.

Gaige’s designation can vary, but she is mostly dog-tolerant.

“dog-reactive”: In this case, the dog would likely have some dog friends, but be more selective in their pairings. He or she may dislike certain ‘types’ of dogs (male/female, large/small, hyper/mellow) and be easily offended by rude dog manners. Can be described as grumpy or sassy, dominant. This dog likes to be in charge and dictate the rules during playtime, and must be reminded by their human to use good manners during play. This dog can succeed with housemate dogs, with supervision.

Because we manage Georgia carefully, she probably can also be placed in the same category as Gaige. However, without careful training, she could fall into one of the latter categories.

“dog-aggressive”: These pooches may have a limited number of dog friends, or even none. They may be leash reactive if the opportunity arises (weak handler, no training). This dog may have a short fuse during play, even with dogs that it knows. This dog requires heavy supervision during player, and a good leader when out on leash. Many live successfully with housemate dogs (typically opposite sex) with proper supervision and management.

It can be easy to read these descriptions, and draw hard conclusions. However, it is important to note that with proper training and management, which includes structured and slow introductions, most dogs can still be safe members of multi-dog households; it just requires more knowledge and effort on the part of the owner. A dog that has been dog-aggressive, may be managed to be dog-selective. Also, as dogs age and their environments change, so to may their tolerance classifications. Additionally, these traits only apply to interactions with other canines, and in NO WAY guarantee a dog’s attitude toward children, small animals, or people. Those are all separate traits, and must be evaluated separately, in order to set the dog up for success. It cannot be assumed that a dog that is aggressive with dogs will also be that way towards children, and likewise, a dog that behaves well with other dogs should not be guaranteed to be gentle with small animals.

When looking at our own dogs, it can be difficult to place labels on them, but it is imperative for the sake of peace. For example, I would probably put Tonka in the first category. He enjoys the presence of other dogs, has excellent manners around them, and is willing to overlook almost all negative behavior. However, there was a period of time where he was twice attacked by a male labrador. It took many months and positive experiences before we were able to build his confidence back to a friendly level.

Gaige and Georgia (typical women!) can be a bit more difficult to categorize. Gaige enjoys other dogs, but has terrible manners with them. She likes to be in charge, but is submissive to Georgia. While she treats Tonka like she rules the roost, often stealing his toys or chewing on his limbs, she defers to him when he does stand his ground. I would probably consider her to be dog-tolerant. Georgia, on the other hand, is even more of a challenge to define. She is not aggressive, but has a low-tolerance for lack of manners (ahem, Gaige!) She is happy to be around other dogs, and cries when separated from ours, but doesn’t seek out the company of new animals. She is not leash-reactive, yet will defend herself if she feels particularly threatened. However, when she ‘defends’ herself, it is nothing more than a retreat, loud growl or snap… she never tries to bite or fight.

2. The next step in dog-integration is a slow introduction. In the case of multiple puppies, this may be as slow as a few minutes, but when it comes to mature dogs, it may take months! We are in the latter category. Why so slow? When integrating dogs, prevention is key. What I mean by that, is that once dogs have had a serious altercation, it can be very difficult to repair the relationship. Most pups aren’t big on ‘forgive and forget’. If two dogs have had a rough introduction, you may not be able to achieve successful interactions without lots more effort, and perhaps some professional intervention. For us, we decided that it was better to be safe than sorry, and have decided to take things as slowly as possible.

The first step to dog introductions is for each dog to have a ‘safe’ place. For most homes, this is a room or secluded kennel. It should be comfortable, and free from many distractions (a sheet or blanket over the top works well). Most importantly, the dog should be allowed to be somewhat protective over this space… it is theirs, after all. Children and other animals should never be allowed play near or inside your dog’s kennel. When not together, the dogs should be placed in their respective kennels. This shows them that while their crate is safe and comfortable, it is not as much ‘fun’ as being social around the other animals.

OUTDOOR INTRODUCTIONS

The next step to the introductions, occurring once the dog has begun to feel comfortable in the new environment, would be group walks. These walks should begin by walking the dogs parallel, with humans and a significant distance, placed in between. This allows the dogs to get used to the sight and scent of one another, without the pressure to interact. As the dogs become more comfortable, the distance between them will decrease. Any positive behavior, such as calm tail wags, should be praised by the handler. It is important to be aware of subtle cues of stress, such as yawning. These signs can vary between dogs, but a low tail with a steady stare can indicate aggression. In this instance, you should redirect the dog without rewarding their behavior, perhaps by turning them in a circle, or stepping in front of their stare. These walks may need to continue for a few days or a few weeks. They can be considered successful when neither dog is overly-excited at the presence of the other, nor aggressive or fearful.
Following the group walks, it is important to again evaluate your dogs’ comfort levels around other animals, before proceeding. At this point, we had learned that Georgia liked other dogs. She was not aggressive with them, but was also not completely comfortable. We knew that if she was faced with an uncomfortable situation, she would first try to flee (the term fight or flight is important here!). Gaige had no discomfort with other dogs, but lacked proper manners. Therefore, we decided to keep Gaige leashed while walking, but allow Georgia to be loose. If the dogs were to get stressed, Georgia could retreat, while we retained control of Gaige’s behavior, and could correct her whenever necessary. (Of course, evaluate this step at your own discretion. It is ideal to be in a fenced area for this step, or at least to have a strong recall cue on both dogs.)

All three pups collaborate for group ‘hunting’ in the bushes.

Once you can be sure that all dogs are comfortable in the presence of the others, and that you also have retained control over the animals, it may be time to graduate to off-leash interactions outdoors. During this time, it is important to watch for warning signs, and manage triggers. For example, many dogs will display issues when another dog tries to take their toy, eat something yummy, or approach their favorite person. You can manage these interactions to avoid confrontation (hello, put the toys away!). We know that Georgia becomes uncomfortable when Gaige rushes toward her, and so we try to manage Gaige’s behavior in approaching Georgia. Not only does this show Georgia that we will protect her, allowing her to let her guard down and not stand in defense of herself, but it also is teaching Gaige how to have more polite interactions with other dogs.

We will be back to continue this subject, and discuss integrating dogs indoors! If you this subject is interesting to you, check out the blog written by Debby McMullen. She is a positive-reinforcement dog trainer who specializes in multi-dog interactions, and has given us a lot of insight and tips toward integrating our household.

A successful multi-dog (and cat-dog?) household

January 8, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Enriching our Animals!

The new hot-button word in the world of dog rescue and training is ‘enrichment’. It is a tool that has so many applications and approaches, but is endlessly beneficial in the world of animal behavior.

Animal enrichment first originated in the world of laboratory animals, particularly of the primate variety. It was soon apparent that the primates housed in the laboratories needed more than just the typical food, water, and shelter to contribute to their well-being. Not only did a lack of socialization and stimulation obviously contribute to their mental and emotional decline, but these issues also appeared dramatically in their physical health. It soon became common practice to provide mental stimulation to many animals housed in laboratory settings, and researchers now even go so far as to house most primates with other animals. This realization has spread to zoos and most recently, animal shelters.

The blogger that I consider to be the ‘queen’ of doggie enrichment is essentially a hero to shelter dogs, and pit bulls to be precise. Not only is she a blogger, photographer, and foster, but she herself works in a shelter! You can learn more about Juliana and her enrichment pointers here. It is certainly worth the read, and is where I’ve learned some of the information I will share with you!

Why is enrichment so important to a dog’s well-being? A dog, or wolf, in the wild is constantly searching for food, water, and shelter. They are probably interacting with their pack. Their senses are on overload. Compare that to a dog in a small, bland ‘jail cell’ for 23.5 hours a day, in many shelters across the US, and it is easy to see why behavior issues may quickly develop. Oftentimes, these negative behaviors, such as jumping or barking, are not indicative of the dog’s true personality, but simply a product of boredom, stress, and monotony. Enrichment activities are essential to a dog’s happiness and physical health, because they allow the dog to exercise their minds and their senses, and provide an outlet for excess energy. Not only does it make the dog happy, and keep their mind healthy, but it also improves the behaviors that they display to potential adopters. Win-win-win!

How does this apply to those of us that don’t work in shelters? Very well, in fact! Enrichment can be great for puppies, or any dogs with higher activity levels, as well as foster or adopted dogs that may be learning to adapt to a new environment.

First of all, giving a pup toys or puzzles to chew on means that what they are NOT chewing on are your shoes, couches, walls, etc. You may have heard the training tip, that if you find your pup chewing something that they should not have in their mouths, you take that object away, and replace it with something more appropriate. While that is great advice, and a good example of positive reinforcement, what would be even better is to prevent that behavior before it starts! One way I approach training with my dogs is by not giving them an opportunity to make bad decisions. If, for example, your rescue puppy is working on a toy or puzzle, they are not going to be interested in going for Dad’s brand new, $400, insulated, steel-toe work boots. 😉 Not that we speak from experience, or anything.

Georgia already has a bone to pick…

Another great benefit to enrichment, is that it actually serves to tucker out your dog! Believe it or not, a great session with a puzzle oftentimes serves to make our pups just as tired as a long hike on the farm! Their brains are so busy concentrating on just how to destroy or discover or dismantle their toys. One of Juliana’s foster dogs stated it perfectly when he explained that he will, “lie there for hours, meticulously ripping and pulling at my toys, planning exactly which piece of string to pick apart next. I work really hard to be the best Captain Destructo I can be.” In most cases, once the puzzle is complete, your pup will pass out on the spot from the shear mental exhaustion!

Now that we know about some of the applications of enrichment, what are some ways we can provide it to our dogs? Well, from the most basic of standpoints, a simple toy that your dog wants to chew on can be enrichment. The way they tear at it provides an outlet for their energy. But for dogs that have not been exposed to toys very much, or for dogs in a more stressful environment such as a shelter, we need to find more high-value benefits. In addition, heading to your local pet store and buying toys that you know your dog is just going to destroy, can really add up! Especially on the budget of a shelter or rescue. Therefore, we get creative.

One common form of enrichment is frozen kongs. Kongs can be stuffed with anything; vegetables, fruits, peanut butter, meat, dog food (wet or dry!), cheese, or just about anything else! What is most important is that it is stuffed in tightly, and that there is a good ratio of liquid to solid, so that the contents will freeze inside. It helps to place a little bit of peanut butter around the openings, to lead the dog into the interior contents, and then place in the freezer for at least a few hours. Some shelters will use pvc pipes with various sized holes, in place of the kongs. Just a cheaper option! A simple google search for kong ‘recipes’ can give you some creative stuffing suggestions.

“Ok now Foster Dad, heavy on the cheese, light on those crunchy orange carrot thingies.”

A fun summer-time enrichment for dogs is to fill a bucket with hard toys, like nylabones, treats, etc. This bucket can then be filled with water, and frozen. Talk about a puppy popsicle!! A cold weather version of this game can be to stuff a bucket VERY tightly with various toys, ranging in size, shape, and texture. It can be a fun game for your dogs to work on pulling the toys from the bucket. This game can occupy hours of your dog’s time and energy, because each toy they pull from the bucket will require a good chew or sniff!

Some pet stores are getting on board with enrichment activities, and providing puzzles for your dog. You may remember that I told you yesterday about a fun outdoor toy that our dogs ADORE. It is the only toy that hasn’t resulted in boredom or complete destruction! It is a large plastic ball, with holes, and a smaller plastic ball inside. It is just the right size for two dogs to play tug-of-war, but also allows the dogs to spend hours trying to free the inside ball from the trap! You can find it here.

Gaige playing with their Paw-zzle ball.

Another great pet store find was actually a gift to the pups from my own mom! It is a three-tiered star, with pockets for treats or dog food. A dog has to figure out how to move the star around with their paws or nose, in order to gobble up the treats! Not only is it an enrichment activity, but it also helps with a dog who eats their food too quickly. To learn more, it is sold here, but there are many variations in most pet stores.

Georgia working hard for her dinner!

(It is important to remember that when it comes to food-based enrichment, we don’t want to be adding unnecessary calories to our dog’s diet! Unless your dog is underweight, be sure to decrease the size of their meals, in relation to the amount of food they’ve received from their kongs or other food-related puzzles.)

Enrichment is one of the greatest ways to stimulate our dogs, and exercise their minds. Not only that, but it can be a wonderful way for our dogs to bond with us, and feel more comfortable in their environment. What enrichment activities have you tried with your pets? Which ones have worked for you, and which haven’t? We’d love to hear your ideas!

January 7, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

The Holiday Season

Does anyone else out there feel like they are just now recovering from the hectic holidays? Or is it just me… NOT that I am complaining, however. To be honest, I basically threw a full blown temper tantrum when taking down our Christmas decorations last week. I love the way the twinkling lights emit a soft glow throughout our home. And while I’m being honest, I may as well just admit that while the ornaments are stowed safely away, the strands of lights have been carefully wrapped and stored, and the stockings folded together, our Christmas Tree still stands in all its glory… dripping needles need not be mentioned.

In case any of you are feeling the same post-holiday depression that I am, I thought I would share some details of Georgia’s first Christmas! You heard yesterday how perfectly she behaved with all of the activity, and many people entering and exiting our home. I thought I would share some of what I would imagine to be Georgia’s best memories!

I may or may not have spent a night in the hospital just before my family arrived for the holidays. All I wanted was to be home & healthy; baking, cooking, cleaning, and preparing for our first Christmas as newlyweds. When I finally got back, the dogs were on hand to spoil me with cuddles and kisses. I’m telling you, at this point, whomever adopts our girl is not just getting a great family dog, but pretty much a registered nurse as well.

Who needs a blanket?

Once I was home and on my way to recovery, we were able to enjoy the family that was in town, and include the pups in our celebrations.

Sleeping while we open presents

Opening her first stocking gift, from her family in VA ! This may have been her favorite.

🙂

PLEASE tell me… does it get any cuter than this??

What I really wanted to share with all of you is a fun video of the pups playing in the snow! Be prepared to watch Georgia get super adorable.

Interested in adopting our precious girl Gia? Of course you are!

Read more about her here, or check out our facebook page here.

If you are already in love, you can email Stephanie (Foster Mom) at sel1490@gmail.com, or you can talk with the rescue president Christine, at nepabullies@gmail.com.

Finally, you can check out her Petfinder profile, where you will find adoption applications and additional information.

January 6, 2013 by And Foster Makes 5

Holiday Blues

Woo! It has been almost a month since we have updated this blog. Not that there are any excuses that are really acceptable, but we have had some family emergencies, health scares, and travel plans that have set our household into a tizzy. I have made an effort to keep updating our facebook page whenever possible, so feel free to head over there for more regular news.

As always, Georgia has maintained her low-maintenance attitude, flowing easily from one activity to the next, and was equally happy to cuddle our sickies away as she was to play outside in the snow.

She makes a great pillow!

Just hanging out

This month served as the first time Georgia really had an opportunity to meet lots of new people, and deal with strangers in the house. You may remember that we have been working on Georgia’s introductions to people, as she has some tendency to jump. Because of this, I was a little bit nervous. I wanted to be sure that everyone who met our girl, walked away with a true impression of her personality and heart. The last thing I wanted was for her to be a poor ambassador of the breed, to some individuals that had never met a bully breed in person before!

Joining the guys to play cards

I couldn’t have been more needlessly concerned. Georgia absolutely blew me away with her fabulous manners with new people in the house. I am not sure if she understood the differences, and was on her best behavior, or if she is just growing up, but we were so proud of our girl. She greeted guests with little to no jumping, and once everyone entered the house, she found a quiet spot to lay down and chew her toys. She would get up occasionally to find someone who might want to rub her tummy or caress her ears, but she stayed out from underfoot, and acted like a seasoned professional doggy greeter. To her, guests in the house were not much different from her family in the house, and so her behavior was much the same as when it’s just the five of us. She was calm, cool, and collected. I hate to say it, but she was honestly about 1,000 times better than our own perma-dogs, whom I would consider to be Very Good Dogs. If her behavior was better than theirs, what does that make her? I’m not sure, but at the very least, let’s hope it makes her a Very Adoptable Dog. 😉

Kisses for one of our dog-loving guests!

The next month will prove to be almost as hectic as the last. Georgia has two interested applicants, and we are crossing our fingers that one turns out to be her perfect family! She will also be starting obedience classes next week. I am especially excited for these, as I hope it will help to increase her confidence around other dogs, and give us an opportunity to meet some new people!

We hope that the holidays were good to all of you. Thank you for understanding our absence, and sticking with us anyways! Please wish us luck in the coming adventures. Also, we have printed some fun “Adopt Me!” flyers and cards to hang locally. If you would be interested in helping our cause by hanging some in local businesses, we would greatly appreciate it!

And Foster Makes Five

"All you need is love… and a dog." (Or three!)

Month: January 2013