Pet care: Keeping the peace in a multi-dog household
Politicians vie for our attention and, for very different reasons, so do dogs, especially if they catch us looking. Decide what you want before getting covered in spit and hair 鈥攆rom dogs that is, not from primary candidates, please.
If you love dogs, you may be tempted to have more than one. That can work fine if you live off the grid, on 100 acres of national forest, or in a cave. As a human, you would be the de facto leader of that canine group. Your subordinates would be survivors, hunting and scavenging, while competing for romantic partners so they can pass on their genetic code. As the grand poobah, you would occupy the very top of the hierarchy. Sounds good, doesn't it?
The fly in that ointment is that generating personal income requires living near your job. That means that your dog(s) must somehow adapt to life in a building with walls, windows, and, worst of all, a fence. Your snuggle bunnies will have all of their needs provided for them, which unfortunately, sets them up for stress. They are man鈥檚 and woman鈥檚 best friends for sure, but they are members of a species that is genetically programmed to work out their differences without artificial barriers like walls, windows, and fences.
Despite those realities, you can share an excellent life if you keep it simple. Dogs are highly social. They generally like living with others of their ilk 鈥� until contrivances like those @&#% walls, windows and fences cause someone to feel trapped, panicked and reactive-aggressive. Unable to escape or avoid each other because of the confines of your home, their adrenaline can spike when competition for food, proximity to the exalted leader (you) or other coveted resources triggers agitation.
During my varied veterinary career, I've treated countless dogfight wounds large and small, a few of them fatal. Since completing residency training in behavior medicine, I've addressed the causes of aggression. It never happens in single-dog homes. Go figure.
Plenty of canine housemates are besties, although fighting is more common between females. I'm only advising you not to bite off more dogs than you can chew.
Next week: How I鈥檝e chosen my dogs.
鈥� For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com.
Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or mail to 4000 Montgomery NE, sa国际传媒官网网页入口, NM, 87109.
