After much thought and debate, you and your household have
decided it is time to get another pet.
This is all good and fine, but you are concerned with how your JRT might
react. Although thinking the whole
situation through, and heeding your initial concern is a good practice, do take
comfort in the fact that the addition to the household is a doable thing. As long as it is handled properly, the
introduction of another pet into your family dynamic should go smoothly.
First off, it is essential to remember that if your JRT has
been your only pet for a while, then they will suffer from the “only child”
syndrome. Most especially the part where
they have always gotten the attention of the household, something they are not
going to like giving up, nor give up without a fight. This is usually the main cause of dissention
between the current pet, your JRT, and any new pet you may bring into the
household, as well as probably the toughest problem to overcome.
When preparing your JRT for the new family addition, it is
imperative to keep in mind that the method for introduction of the new pet will
differ according to the type of pet. For
example, introducing another canine into the home will differ greatly from
introducing, say, a feline. There are
different things to take into consideration for each one. In this post will look at the methods
involved, based on species, and hopefully find something that will work for
you.
A Household Built for Two…Canines That Is
Opposite Genders
If you are introducing another canine into the household
dynamic, then you will want to seriously consider introducing a canine of an opposing
gender, especially if the JRT you currently have is of the aggressive
nature. Two aggressive natured canines
in one household will assuredly set you and up for problems if not
failure. Also keep in mind that two
female JRT’s in the same household can result in the same aggression
problems. This writer can speak to this
from experience, as my senior female JRT’s, when they hit about seven years
old, became so aggressive towards one another, that I have to keep them caged,
and only allow one out at a given time.
If not, the hostility ensues, and most assuredly blood is drawn. So, please consider the aggression factor
first and foremost in your decision making.
First Impressions
As with humans, first impressions play a major role in how
well one canine will get along with another.
When introducing a JRT to a possible new family member for the first
time, it is best that this be done with both parties under control. By this I mean have both the perspective
family member on a loose leash, as well as your JRT. This is so YOU can maintain control of the
situation, and if things start to go south, will have a means to separate the
two. Once you are satisfied with how
they initially react to one another, then you may take them off leash, and
place them in a controlled, monitored area.
This will allow them more freedom to move around and get to know each
other better. Still keeps an eye on them
for any signs that there may be a problem occurring.
Share the Love
Keep in mind that up to this point your JRT has been the
“baby” of the family. They have been the
one to get all the attention, loving, and play time. It is naturally going to upset them to think
that another “thing” will be coming into their perfect life, and totally
blowing it to smithereens (I imagine that is how it feels to them
anyways). So, keeping that in mind it is
imperative that when you are introducing your JRT to the new family member,
that you do NOT shower the new canine with excessive attention. Do not hold, love on, or make over the new
canine, as this will just set the whole situation up for possibly a life-long
resentment on your JRT’s part. Give both
canines each attention, at the same time, and they will know that they are both
loved and appreciated in the household.
Table for One
It is also a good idea, the first few weeks after the new
additions arrival that both your JRT and
the new family member are fed separately.
This will ensure that there are not squabbles over food that could turn
into big ugly fights that could then turn into a life-long problem. Again, been there, done that, and still
dealing with it today. After a few
weeks their food bowls can be brought closer together as long as feeding time
is supervised. That way, if there
appears to be a problem arising, you can nip it in the bud. Also remember to keep your JRT and the new
addition apart when playing with toys and chews. Some of the biggest fights your JRT will have
with another canine will most assuredly be over two things: food and toys--hands down.
Good Things to Come
Here is a little trick that I did not know of, or even think
about, that can be very useful. When
your JRT and the new addition are in the same room, and the JRT is friendly and
agreeable as well as behaves with the other canine, reward your JRT. But, when the new addition leaves the room,
take the reward away from your JRT. Then
again, when the new addition comes back into the room, and the JRT behaves,
reward your JRT again. This process of
give and take will eventually instill in your JRT that when the new addition is
around, good things happen. And when the
new addition leaves, well not so good things happen. After a while, your JRT will begin to
associate the good things with the new addition, which will in turn keep your
JRT amicable towards them.
Walkies For Two
Finally, take both your JRT and the new addition on walks
together. Allow them ample leash to walk
side by side, to sniff and explore together, and to just generally enjoy their
time together. Maybe take them to a dog
park, and let them run and play together, or if you need to do some training
lessons, let them both participate.
Allowing to do these types of activities together will allow them to
bond, and in the end, will make your and that of the rest of the household much
more peaceful.
Hello…Kitty
The main thing to keep in mind when considering introducing
a cat, or kitten, into the household dynamic is that JRT’s were bred to be
hunters. They are hard-wired to stalk,
hunt, and obtain their prey, which usually includes animals smaller than them,
such as kittens. So with that in mind,
lets take a look at some the methods to properly introduce your JRT to their
new house mate, shall we?
As with introducing another canine into the home, when
introducing a feline you will have to be both patient and diligent. The best case scenario is that you get your
JRT when it is a puppy, and your feline when it is kitten, so that they may
grow up together. As younger versions of
themselves, they will have the
opportunity to bond before the instincts of each of their species begin to take
over. If that is not an option, then the
following ideas may be of help.
Hello Stranger
When you bring your cat/kitten home for the first time, the
best idea is to place it in a cage, and place the cage on a table. Cats are naturally more comfortable and
secure feeling in high places, and with your new family member on a table in a
cage, they will have an easier time acclimating to the new situation. Also, this will give your JRT time to take
notice of the new resident, adjust to the smell and sounds that it makes without
unnecessarily cause a ruckous.
Getting To Know You
After a few weeks of
the “introductory phase”, it is now time to let them meet face to face. This is where the patience and diligence
really comes into play. It is best to
keep your JRT on a leash, the feline in a cage or even use a child gate to
separate them. The main idea here is to
keep the entire situation under YOUR complete control. Do not give your JRT so much leeway that they
can lunge at the cat/kitten, because that will just put you back at square
one.
Move slowly at this stage, so that you may notice any signs
of fear or defensiveness on the part of the feline. Keep in mind, there will some initial fear that
is only in their nature. A good idea is
to have some of your JRT’s treats nearby.
When your JRT moves towards the feline, but in a curious but none
aggressive manner, make sure to treat them.
This is reinforcing that the cat/kitten is a good thing, with the
possibility of treats to follow. But, if
your JRT barks, lunges or growls, or the cat/kitten hisses and tries to
scratch, end the interaction and separate them once again. It will take longer than just a few days, in
most cases, and you will keep repeating this interaction until neither your JRT
or the cat/kitten shows any signs of hostility or anger towards the other.
The Nose Knows
Once you have been successful with the previous steps, it is
now time to let them meet nose to nose.
In the natural wild, canines and felines use their noses to get to know
one another. As before, keep both your
JRT and the cat/kitten on a leash, and let them explore slowly. Reward them both generously for good
behavior, watch their body language closely and be prepared for the to occasionally
lunge at one nother. Be patient and diligent,
and eventually they will get along. This
is not an overnight process, so take it nice and slow and all of you will
benefit. Remember that when you are not
there to supervise, have your JRT and the cat/kitten put up away from each
other.
If you have a little patience and due diligence, your JRT
can learn to live happily with any new addition you chose to make to the
household. Everyone can learn to live in
peace and harmony.
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