When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.
caring for an elderly dog
Visiting Friends With Your Dog? Know How To Keep All Pets Safe By Proper Introductions
Lucy Grant
Taking your dog with you to visit friends in another area can be a little stressful for your dog, the people you are visiting and their dogs as well. It is important to understand that the people you are visiting probably treat their dogs like family, just as you do. Everyone wants the dogs to get along and to be safe during the trip. With this in mind, use this guide to properly introduce your dog to the environment, the people and their dogs.
Control the Environment
Ask the people that you are visiting to choose an area of their home, preferably in the backyard, where proper introductions can be made. Let your friends know that you are nearby so that they can take their dog outside to await your arrival. This lets the dog that lives in the home establish territory and not feel threatened when you bring your dog into the area.
Both dogs should be on a leash at first. Allow the dogs to sniff each other, but look for signs of aggression. The dogs' tails should be wagging as they get to know their new friend. If the ears are pinned back and tails are straight up, calm them down by speaking gently and carefully petting them until they are reassured that everything is okay.
Make Introductions to People One at a Time
If you have a traveling partner, introduce each person to the dog in the home one at a time. The same goes for your dog. Each person in the home should be introduced to the dog one at the time, so that they can get used to the fact that they will be sharing their space, not only with a different dog, but with other people as well.
Stay Nearby When Pets Are Getting to Know One Another
When you notice that the dogs seem to be getting comfortable with each other and the new people, remove the leash from each dog and let them play. However, stay near them in the event that they begin to display signs of aggression. If this happens, restrain the dogs again until they understand that this is unacceptable behavior.
Once the dogs are content with all that is happening around them, take them inside. But remain near the dogs until you are sure that they will not fight with each other.
Perhaps the most important thing about introducing a dog to those who live in the home that you are visiting is to remain calm. Dogs can sense when humans are nervous or agitated, so make your introductions calmly and carefully. Ask your vet for more ideas on how to properly set up a visit with friends who have dogs so that no injuries occur. For more tips on socializing your pet, contact a company like Apple Valley Animal Hospital.
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