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I love my pet

Alpine Animal Hospital
4000 Yellowstone Ave, Pocatello (208) 237-1111

Have a question about your pet? Send it to us and we'll ask one of the knowledgable vets at Alpine Animal Hospital. While you're at it you can take a picture of you & your friend and send it along. We'll put it on the website to show everyone how much you love your pet!
Email your question to: pets@102kmgi.com

Visit our picture gallery

Am I ready for a pet?
Will my pets get along?
Dogs & Kids

 

Are You Ready for the Commitment of a New Pet?

Thinking about getting a new pet? A pet is a commitment for 10-20 years, and the decision to bring one into your home should not be made on the spur of the moment. Adopting a pet for the wrong reasons, or bringing home the wrong type of pet for your lifestyle or environment, is a common mistake that often leads to the pet being given up. Many animals that are brought to shelters end up being euthanized. People start with good intentions, but fail to consider the fate of the pet if it doesn't work out.

So, how can you be sure you are ready for the commitment of a new pet? As with most decisions in life, knowledge is the key to making the best decision. Start by asking yourself some basic questions.

• Does everyone in the household want a pet, or is the pet going to be a source of irritation?

• Is everyone ready and able to share in the responsibility, or is just one person going to do all the work?

• Do you travel or work long hours, leaving little time to spend with a pet?

• Can you afford a pet?

By honestly answering the questions above, you are taking the initial steps to responsible pet ownership. Most behavior problems that arise in pets are created by the pet owners. Behavior is one of the top reasons for giving a pet up to a shelter. If you don't have the time to spend with a pet and you do not properly train a pet, the animal becomes bored, frustrated or confused about what you want. Without the proper knowledge, the owner considers these confused reactions to be problem behavior.

 

Choosing Pets Who Can Live Together

There are ways to help your new pet get along with your other furry friends. The last thing you want is your fuzzy "first-born" raking her claws across your new puppy's nose. So do some homework and plan ahead so you have a good idea about how your current pet will react to the newcomer.
For example, you can borrow a neighbor's or friend's dog for a few days to test the waters. (Keep in mind your new dog's personality will be different from the borrowed dog, and your old pets may react differently.)

Coexisting With Cats

Forget the cartoons. Cats and dogs can live together happily under the right circumstances. But, don't expect your adult cat to warm up to a new dog overnight. Cats are creatures of routine, and bringing a new dog into your home may upset your finicky feline in a major way.
Teaching your dog to respect the cat's boundaries will help. Kittens can be more accepting. They may even like the dog. So the ideal situation is to get a puppy and a kitten at the same time.
When you make the introductions, keep your dog leashed and make sure the cat has an escape route. Hold the leash firmly as they sniff each other. If your dog remains calm, you can drop the leash, but be ready to grab it if he makes a move on your cat. "Don't chase the cat" is one rule your new dog must learn immediately.
For the first few weeks, keep your dog on a leash when he's near the cat. Remember, the kitty isn't the only one at risk. A quick-draw kitty paw slashed across the face can deliver a nasty corneal scratch or sliced nose.

Getting in Good with a Dog

Adult dogs usually accept puppies easily because they don't see the little one as a threat. The situation can be different if you bring an adult dog into your fold. The outcome depends on the personalities, breeds and sex of the dogs, so it's hard to know ahead of time how it will work out.
Most female dogs and neutered males will accept another female. But you're practically guaranteed territorial battles if you bring home a new, intact male dog to meet your unneutered male. Also avoid mixing two aggressive or dominant personalities or breeds.
Make the introductions in neutral territory - a park or playground makes a good meeting ground. Keep both dogs leashed and hold them firmly. You can help reduce your first pet's jealousy by asking a friend to hold the new dog's leash. If the dogs get along, go home and repeat the procedure. If both dogs remain calm, you can release the leashes and allow them to interact with supervision.
When you feed the dogs on the first day, put them in different rooms. The next day, feed them in the same room but at opposite ends. Gradually move them closer at feeding time until they're eating together in harmony.
Even if your dogs seem fine together, separate them when you leave home during the first few weeks in case they become aggressive. And, make sure you offer treats to both pets at the same time to keep them from getting jealous of each other.

Little Critters

Many dogs have a natural instinct to hunt smaller creatures, so you probably shouldn't introduce Rover to your bird, rabbit or other small pet. Instead, keep Tweety and Bugs isolated from the new dog and make sure your pets' cages are secure. If months go by and your dog doesn't show any interest in roughing up the smaller pets, you can consider changing the rule.

Raising Children and Dogs Together

Your children probably treat your dog like another sibling - they sleep together, play together and even disagree sometimes. But dogs deserve proper handling from all of your family members, so it's your job to teach your children and your dog how to treat each other.
Before you adopt a dog, find out which breeds do best with children and discuss the decision to get a pet with your children. They're likelier to accept some responsibility for the pet if you lay the groundwork and they feel involved.

Training Your Child

Most dogs - especially larger breeds - are tolerant of small children. For example, setters, retrievers and standard poodles all tend to be kid-friendly choices. Still, your children need to learn to be gentle and never to bully your pet. Here are some rules to teach your children about pet handling:

• Don't bother your pet at mealtimes or during his afternoon nap.

• Play gently. Rowdy play can confuse and overstimulate your dog.

Don't allow a young child walk around holding a puppy. A puppy can easily squirm out of a child's hands and hurt himself or the child. Supervise your children when they play with the dog for the first few weeks. And don't let children out of your sight when there's a dog around. Infants and toddlers don't understand the difference between their stuffed dog and your live pet, and an angry exchange between child and dog can flare in an instant - and be devastating.

Also, don't be surprised if the new dog frightens your young children. From their perspective, he's a large, barking, drooling beast. Over time, they'll get used to having a pet around, and you can ease your children's fears if they participate in training your dog and learn the commands to make your dog obey.

Training Your Dog

Dogs and children can be such good friends that sometimes your dog forgets your child is not one of his littermates. For example, rowdy puppy play can cause a pup to nip his brother, and childish exuberance can get the same reaction.
Teach your child to correct your dog if he nips. Encourage your children to play quieter games with the puppy to prevent this behavior entirely.
Also, take your dog to training classes. Many training facilities let kids participate, so you, your dog and your children can learn the rules of behavior together.
Your dog needs to feel like he's part of the family, so introduce your pet to all of your family members and welcome him into your home.

 

 

 

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