This part of the series details how to introduce your puppy to small animals such as rabbits and birds.  Caring for your puppy and caring for your other pets is so important and you want to get the balance just right.  As you can imagine this is a delicate matter as the animals can be extremely delicate and fearful of predation.  It is important to keep both animals calm and pay special attention to your small animal as they are likely to be stressed by the new addition and it is your job to minimise this anxiety as much as possible.

Before the Introduction

If it is the first day you have brought your puppy home then try and keep your puppy and rabbit or puppy and bird separated until the puppy has had time to settle in for a few days.  If this is not logistically possible then the method is still the same but be aware that your puppy will be more anxious at this point and you should avoid the obedience section as putting pressure on a puppy in a new environment may be too stressful.  You may find the DAP diffuser helps reduce this stress, especially if you have it set up before you bring your puppy home (see below for more details of DAP and it’s uses). When introducing your new pets to each other it is a good idea to make sure that your puppy has been exercised beforehand.  This will ensure that your new puppy is tired out before meeting your other pets, as you don’t want him or her bounding over to your rabbit or bird terrifying them on their first meeting.  I would also recommend running through a little obedience, you only need to do some simple tasks like saying your puppies name then giving him or her a reward a few times .  This will allow you to have more control over your puppy as they are likely to be more responsive to you when you introduce your rabbit to them.

A Relaxed Introduction To Your Rabbit or Bird

Try to get a family member or friend to assist you on the initial introduction.  Ask them to enter the room after handling your rabbit or bird and interact with the puppy allowing them to gather information based on the smells of your other pet.  Once your puppy has had a good sniff and appears disinterested you can then bring your rabbit or bird into the room, whilst someone else holds your puppy.  Walk towards each other, whilst feeding the puppy treats so that they make a positive association around these delicate animals.  Allow the puppy to sniff the rabbit and be in fairly close proximity to the bird, at all times ensuring the puppy is not within reaching distance of your bird and in a firm hold near your rabbit.   You can then sit down next to each other and interact with the puppy in order to let him know that this other pet is no big deal and there are far more interesting things for him /her to be doing.  Now would be a good time to get to ask them for a few basic obedience behaviours such as the sit and down.  Keep things calm and repeat this exercise over the next few days, always rewarding calm behaviour from your puppy.

Dog Appeasing Pheromones

Dog Appeasing Pheromone also known as DAP can help reduce anxiety, especially during novel situations such as introductions.  It is odourless to humans but will help calm dogs which can aid smooth introductions to your other pets.  It is a synthetic analogue of a pheromone that whelping bitches secrete that calms the puppy shortly after birth and beyond.  This product can have the same effects upon adult dogs and is used frequently to promote calm, relaxed dogs and puppies. DAP is currently available in three forms., which acts just like an air freshener, easily plugging into a socket and releasing a constant flow of pheromones. You can also opt for the which is handy as you can spray it on their bedding or in your car to help reduce stress. The latest innovation is a collar , they look and feel much like a flea collar, the pheromone lasts for up to four weeks in these collars and allows the dog to benefit from the calming properties of DAP when out walking. If you are based in the UK you can purchase DAP from any veterinarian or online at petsupermarket by typing DAP into the search and scrolling down a little.

Top tips: Do not allow puppy’s living with rodents and birds to have access to furry or squeaky toys as these only encourage prey drive.  Use rubber toys, frisbee’s and instead.