Dog Training in Newtown – Your Local Dog Trainer

How to Introduce Other Animals to Your Dog – Dog Training in Newtown

Your Local Newtown Dog Trainer Giving Advice on Introducing Other Pets to Your Dog

We recently got a bunny, which is something I’ve always wanted. But I got to say that dogs and rabbits really are two different animals. Rabbits are prey animals and get scared easily. So introducing a dog to them must be done slowly and gently. This is advice from you dog trainer in Newtown on how to introduce another animal to your dog.

Start Slowly

Keep the animals separate for the first few weeks, letting them get used to each other. If you have a small animal, like a guinea pig or rabbit, place their cage in an area where they can be part of the family and therefore see the dog as well. But make sure to keep them safe and comfortable. If your dog is too interested in the other animal, use puppy gates etc. to restrict their access to them and create safe places for your new family member to hide and to get away from the dog if they choose to.

Supervise Interactions

When the animals have had a few weeks apart and they seem calm and comfortable around each other, you can start introducing them in the same space. Focus on keeping them both calm. Use treats for both animals to make the interaction positive. Do not leave the animals without supervision. If you’re dog seems too excited, keep them focused on you with treats. You can even practise your basic obedience commands, like sitting and lying down. Start having these kind of supervised meetings every day for next few weeks. Then if the animals seem calm and comfortable, you can allow them to even sniff each other and start moving around in the same space.