Can a dog make friends with other animals?

 The saying “live like a cat and a dog” is not always true. Very often, dogs get along well not only with cats, but also with other animals.

Dog and … more dog

Many owners do not stop at one dog. And they give her a companion, dreaming how great the pets will spend time together. If dogs accept each other, they really have more fun. But it happens that your four-legged friends start a real war for survival. Drawing owners into hostilities as well. Therefore, when choosing a second dog, some rules should be observed.

1. Peer dogs are not the best choice. At 2 years old, they can start to fight, and it’s not a fact that you will be able to reconcile them. It is better if the age difference between the dogs is more than 4-5 years.
2. Don’t take a second dog to “fix” the first one. As a rule, the second simply adopts the bad habits of the first. Certainly will not affect the “first-born” for the better.
3. Consider the size of the living space. Each dog needs its own living space, overcrowding is fraught with conflicts.
4. Different-sex dogs get along better, but keep in mind that twice a year the bitch will have heat, and you will have to separate the dogs.

Dog and cat

The saying “live like a cat and a dog” is not always true. Very often, these animals get along well together. However, it all depends on both individual characteristics and the age at which the pets met.

1. Puppy and kitten. This is the best option, there are usually no problems here.
2. Adult dog and kitten. It all depends on the nature of the dog and its relationship to purrs. You can keep pets in different rooms for the first few days – so they get used to the smell of each other, but they will not see each other, and only then introduce them. It is better to keep the dog on a leash at the time of acquaintance. When communicating with both, first pay attention to the dog, and only then to the kitten. As a rule, the dog quickly gets used to the new household.
3. Puppy and adult cat. It’s usually not all that bad either. The puppy will not show aggression, just make sure that he does not bother the cat. Give each of them their own space.
4. Adult dog and adult cat. The most difficult case. It all depends on the previous experience of both. And there is no guarantee that they will ever get along. If yes, you are in luck. If the pets completely refuse to be friends, it is worth at least making sure that they meet less often and control their communication.

Photo: dog and cat

dog and horse

The dog is a predator, and the horse is a potential prey. But this does not mean at all that they are doomed to be enemies. Young dogs are often willing to play with foals, who quickly become attached to their friends. After all, both horses and dogs are social animals, and they are guided not only by instincts, but also by acquired experience. However, the picture is not always idyllic. Sometimes for a dog, communication with a horse ends with fractures, and for a hoofed friend – with wounds. Therefore, the dog and the horse must be taught to each other if you want to take the dog on horseback rides, for example. First of all, the dog must be taught basic commands. Especially important: “Fu”, “Stand”, “Next” and “To me”. It is better to bring the dog to visit the horses when she is still a puppy. But in no case should you immediately let it off the leash. When you get to know the fluffy and the maned friend, try to move between them, holding both of them on the reins. Don’t let the dog bark or get in the way of the horse. Praise both for showing calmness. And do not try to practice at this moment – neither with a horse, nor with a dog.

Photo: dog and horse

Dog and small animals

If you have a hunting dog, don’t risk the lives of small animals by bringing them into your home. For a hunting dog, a ferret, a rat, or a hamster is legal prey. With other dogs, there is a chance to make friends with pets or at least ensure a safe coexistence, but you still shouldn’t relax. It’s better to keep small pets out of the dog’s reach and carefully observe its reaction. You can walk the “trifle” under supervision, in a territory that is not accessible to the dog.

dog and birds

If the puppy grows up with parrots or other birds, he usually treats them calmly. But an adult dog may well try to catch a flyer. The consequences of such a hunt, as a rule, are sad for the bird. So keep your feathered friend where the dog can’t get to him.

In the photo: dog and parrots«