A Successful Adoption Depends on You

Is he/she good with other dogs? That’s a question I hear very often, being that I volunteer at a local shelter. Does it really matter if the dog you are looking to adopt gets along with other dogs? Isn’t it more important to know whether or not he/she will get along with YOUR dog(s). Just because a dog is good with other dogs doesn't automatically mean that dog will be good with your dog.

As you probably know by now, I have a Lab mix and a Husky/Shepherd mix and they are both good with other dogs, but there are some dogs that either Roxy or Duncan, or both, don’t like. Roxy is pretty easy going but Duncan can be a bit picky at times and doesn’t like certain things. He doesn’t like dogs that are high energy or dogs that will jump on him. Duncan has had issues with males in the house, but will play, at times, with male dogs outside the house.  If we end up adopting another dog or foster a dog, as we do, I would never think of trying a high energy, playful male dog with my little man.

I’ve been at shelters where 2 dogs were picked up together or turned in together. They live together in the same kennel and they get along very well. You would assume, as many would, that they are good with other dogs. In one instance I took out one of the two dogs kenneled together to meet another dog. Of course it’ll work out just great because she’s great with dogs, she’s lived with one and there’s never been an issue with them together in their kennel. WRONG! She’s not great with dogs, she doesn’t particularly like other dogs that she’s met. She likes the one dog that she’s lived with and grown up to know. If that family had adopted her without doing a “meet and greet” they would have had a serious problem which may have resulted in one of both dogs getting injured.

In order to answer the more important question…Will the dog you are looking to adopt get along with YOUR dog(s)…the best thing to do is bring your dog to the shelter to do a proper meet and greet. A proper meet and greet will usually consist of a walk together in order to see any reactions or potential issues. If the walk goes well, then the dogs will typically be brought together in a play yard with an experienced staff member (or volunteer in some cases). The dogs are allowed to get to know each other, sniff each other and play together for a while. If all goes well then that dog will most likely get along with your dog. If you have another dog (s), I would never suggest or advocate adopting a dog unless a proper meet and greet has been done with your dog(s) and with your entire family.

A proper meet and greet at a shelter will greatly improve the chances of the dogs getting along, once you bring your adopted dog home, but it is not a 100% guarantee. You still have some work to do to make the dogs feel comfortable. Remember, you are bringing someone in your dog’s space and you need to reassure your dog that it’s going to be OK. First, don’t just bring your adopted dog in to your house. Take your dog outside and let them meet again. Let them sniff each other and get to know each other again for a little bit. You can take them in the back yard and let them explore it together and play, if they want. If you have a garden hose, make sure you have it hooked up and turned on. If things get out of hand with either dog, spray them with the hose. Spraying them in the face from a distance will not hurt them but it will get their attention. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water or, if you don’t have either, then 2 metal bowls or pennies in a can may be used to defuse a fight. In most cases, they will hear the noise you make and will focus on that, rather than each other.

Now it’s time to bring your new dog in the house and let him/her explore but BEFORE doing that, make sure you have picked up any toys, treats and food bowls. You don’t want them fighting over any of these. After all, you’re dog thinks that is his/her stuff and may not like another dog trying to take it. Also, when bringing your new dog into the house...put the other dog away (in a room, kennel, leave in your fenced in yard) and allow the new dog to explore his new surroundings, on leash, with you close behind. Once the new dog has sniffed everything, take your dogs out to potty and then allow all dogs to come into the house together. If possible, make sure you have a couple days where you or someone can be home with your newly adopted dog. It’s a good idea to let your new dog drag a leash around until you feel you can trust the dog. This time can vary from a few minutes to a week or longer. It all depends on the dog and the home.

Watch them together and see how they interact, until you’re comfortable that they will get along. It’s important to remember that you should kennel your newly adopted dog when you’re gone and at night when you’re sleeping. Leaving your dogs together without supervision is NOT a good idea. Feed your dogs separately, either in separate rooms or one in his/her kennel. This will avoid the possibility of a fight over food. Your dogs should have 100% supervision when toys, bones or treats are involved, especially at first.

It’s important to mention that it may take a few weeks for the new dog to feel completely comfortable in their new home so issues may not be present right away. When issues do arise...and they will (they do have to figure out pack order in all situations!) it’s how you handle them that will determine the future success of the relationship. At the first sign of trouble, consult a professional. It may be something simple that could be changed or altered easily. Remaining calm and in control in all situations is key.

Following these steps will help to ensure a successful adoption and a safe and loving home for you and your family members. 

Special thanks to Ashley Tucker Rogers of Roger That K9 Training, LLC for lending her expertise to this post. 

Protect Your Dog From The Cold

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Dogs cannot talk to us when they’re sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important that you pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Here are some tips to help make sure that your dog stays healthy and comfortable during the winter months.

• Keep pets away from antifreeze solution, and promptly clean up any antifreeze spills. Antifreeze is highly toxic! Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but even a small amount can kill your dog. Though exposure to antifreeze is a risk all year, the risk is especially high during the colder months. Keep your eyes on your dog at all times - and keep antifreeze out of reach. If you suspect your dog has had ANY exposure to antifreeze, get to a vet right away.  

• Doggie coats keep your dog warm when it’s cold out. This is important for dogs with short coats, who are not naturally built for the cold. They need an extra layer to keep warm outdoors, and a coat will provide that protection. Some dogs may be built for the cold, but most aren't. Doggie coats provide protection against the cold and much more. They're really useful throughout the winter months.

• Do not leave your dog outside unsupervised without a heated shelter. Just because your dog has fur, it does not mean he can withstand the cold. Though some dog breeds (like Huskies and Malamutes) are better suited to cold weather, all dogs should have access to a warm shelter at all times. Duncan is a Husky and loves the cold weather, but even he has a time limit for being outside, before having to come in. Most dogs do best living indoors. While I don't agree with dogs being kept outside, if your dog must live outdoors, provide a heated shelter. Pets that get too cold can develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite. Short-coated dogs (Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Pointers, Boston Terriers, Pit Bulls) should not go outside without a coat or sweater in very cold weather, except to relieve themselves. Small dogs or those with little to no hair should have sweaters or jackets for protection against the cold. Some of the most common breeds that will benefit from protective clothing are Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Whippets, and Greyhounds. Remember, not all dogs will tolerate clothing, so don’t push it – just make an extra effort to keep them out of the cold.

• If your dog will tolerate it, consider foot protection booties. This can keep your dog’s feet safe from harm, such as dangerous objects hidden by the snow or salt on roads and walk ways. Additionally, booties can help give your dog a better grip and prevent slipping on ice. If your dog frequently lifts up its paws, whines or stops during its walks, it is demonstrating that its feet are uncomfortable cold.

• Dogs with long fur on the bottom of their paws often develop ice balls between the pads and toes of the feet. To prevent ice balls from forming, trim the hair around your dogs feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to your dog's feet before taking him for a walk in the snow. The oil helps prevent ice balls from sticking. Make sure you use edible oil; most dogs will lick their paws after you apply the oil.

• If your pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets, be sure to wash his paws off after your walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove the salt as soon as your dog is off the road.

• Many animals are less active during the winter, and don't burn as many calories as in the warmer months. Reduce your pet's diet during the winter, to avoid excessive weight gain. You may wish to consult with your veterinarian about the right winter food portions for your pet.

• When walking your dog near ice, use extra caution to avoid slipping. Always keep a close watch your dog and be sure he says nearby. Do not allow your dog to run across frozen bodies of water - he could fall into icy water if the ice is too thin!

• If you use an indoor or outdoor fireplace, always keep a safety guard around it in order to protect your dog away from the flames and soot. Do not leave a fire unattended.

• If your dog is in the cold and begins excessively shaking or shivering, get him back to warm shelter as soon as possible. If you suspect your dog is developing hypothermia, bring him to a vet immediately.

• Avoid letting your dog eat snow or anything else on the ground. Dangerous objects or chemicals may be hidden in the snow. Also, eating snow this can cause stomach upset and even hypothermia. Always keep fresh room temperature water available at all times.

Since your dog's normal temperature is a few degrees higher than yours? Winter is the perfect time of year to snuggle up – so have fun and stay warm!

Dogs Are NOT Christmas Presents

Are you considering getting a dog for Christmas or thinking about giving someone else a puppy as a present? 



Do pets make good Christmas gifts?



Puppies just don't make good presents because they need so much attention and care. Puppies require constant attention and supervision when you first bring them home. They must be fed three to four times daily. House-training must start immediately and is a time-consuming process. Puppies usually need to go out every time they eat, drink, play or wake up from a nap, including the sleepiest hours of these cold, winter nights.

During the holiday season people are so busy that they don't have the time it takes to fulfill a new pup's 'round the clock demands. It's unfair to bring a young dog into the chaos of holiday celebrations and ignore their needs.

Christmas is not a good time to introduce a new animal into a household. It is best done later, when things are calmer and there's more time to help the puppy adjust to their new surroundings.

With all the activity during this season, it's possible that the puppy may be frightened or distressed. A new pet may also be upset by the stressful emotions of the humans around them. A stressed pet, particularly an energetic and playful pup who is left unsupervised, is more likely to get into trouble.

The food served during the holidays can irresistibly tempt a constantly-hungry pup to steal and devour these goodies from the table or garbage. Another temptation is to hand feed a new puppy tidbits as a special meal. Having access to spicy, fatty or excessively-sweet Christmas foods is a recipe for having a very sick puppy or worse.

Other Christmas dangers for new pets include their investigations of shiny decorations with wonderfully strange odors. Most puppies explore by mouthing objects that interest them. If a pup chews on decorative lights, extension cords, glass ornaments, tinsel or leaves from seasonal plants, they could become injured, seriously ill or even die. A dead puppy is not a good Christmas present.



Puppies advertised as Christmas presents have most often been bred to bring their owner extra cash for the holidays. Since breeding a healthy litter costs more than can be recovered in sales, these so-called breeders may have cut corners by withholding important veterinary and nutritional care to the pups.

Most puppies that are given as presents seldom remain in their first home. Many of these puppies end up at animal shelters, where parents may bring their children in at the last minute to pick a pet as a Christmas present. They don't need or really want a dog when it gets that close. It's a last minute thing then. Getting a pet should never be a spur of the moment decision.

Prospective owners need time to prepare for the family's new addition. The purchase of a puppy should be part of a well-researched, thorough and forward-looking plan.

A puppy is not something that looks cute and is taken on a whim, then after a short time is returned to the shelter. They are living creatures that deserve a huge commitment. To do that someone must be ready to take on this big responsibility. After the excitement is over, many kids get tired of taking care of a puppy and the parents won't do it because they're too busy. So, about half of the puppies that are adopted during the holiday season end up being brought to a shelter. Pets aren't like toys. When you get bored with them you can't throw them away and get a different 'toy.' If you do that with a dog, it hurts them.

There are more reasons for never giving an animal as a present. Selecting a pet is a personal choice, not something one individual can do for another. What if the receiver doesn't want the puppy? Do the kids and the new dog get along? This should be determined in advance of permanently acquiring a pet.

If a person you know wants a dog, they should go to the local shelter and choose the pet themselves so that it is compatible with their lifestyle. They must want it, agree to accept responsibility for it and be willing to provide care for the animal.


The commitment to a new pet must last the lifetime of that animal, not just on Christmas Day. So before deciding to give a puppy as a gift remember:

 Pets Are Forever.