Introducing dog to pigs?

[erikahand83]

I just brought my two pigs home today. I was met by our dog, dakota. He is very hyper and keeps jumping up to see the piggies. I want to introduce them to the dog so he wont be so hyper and keep jumping up at the side of the cage to see the pigs. I think if the keeps it up they will get extremely stressed out. I love my dog and I love my pigs to. Any ideas on how to do a safe introduction between the two species would be greatly appreciated. My husband will be around to help with the introductions incase the dog gets overly hyper while they are out of the cage.

 

[Haley0489]

I picked my dog up to look at the guinea pigs in their cage when I first brought them home. She just wanted to know what was in the big cage, and once she knew her interest kind of dwindled.

The other day, Milo was in my lap and my dog Missy walked up and sniffed his nose, I put Milo away after that because she became a little transfixed with him and I was worried what she'd do if Milo happened to make a sudden movement.

I'd try just letting the dog "see" the guinea pigs first. Maybe after a few days of seeing them, he'll lose interest and an introduction won't be necessary. I'd honestly trust my cat way more than I'd trust my dogs with the GPs.

 

[Justin]

Dogs have hunting instinct. That could be why he is hyper. I wouldn't rush for the introduction. Maybe not until you dog completely loose interest in the pigs first. Possibly, your dog wouldn't understand why you won't let him hunt the prey anyway, or even worse, he would believe it is an invitation to hunt and bite the pig from your own hand.

I have real sweet and obedient female cairn terrier.

When I brought my pigs home, my cairn terrier was very hyper too, just as you described. It appeared to me as just curiosity, playfulness, and having fun. But I knew that "having fun" includes biting from own experience.

I locked doors of cage tight, and reinforced cable ties on my cage so it would be impossible for my dog to break in by force when humans are not in home.

I also put the dog in the back yard or locked him in a room while petting pigs, for over one month.

Over time, my dog was accustomed with sound, smell, and sight of the pigs. It became not so hyper anymore. So now I would let her stay in house and watch me petting pigs. However, I still do not allow her to come near me while doing it.

Why am I so nervous? Because my previous hamster broke out her exercise ball and immediately killed by my dog in a fraction of second, in front of my eyes. It was after they lived with me over a year.

Often dogs and cats accept specific prey animals and suppress their hunting instinct. But that can't be taken granted, especially if they didn't meet at very young age. I wouldn't bet pigs life on the table.

I think your dog will calm down and your pigs will realize that they are safe, over a short period time, without dangerous introductions.

 

[Justin]

Haley: I prefer dogs to cats, in a great deal. However, I agree with you that cats are safer. Dogs DO kill when they are NOT hungry. I don't know why. May be it's because they have group instinct? Because other members of the group could be hungry?

 

[erikahand83]

Well, I guess thinks are starting to calm down a bit with the dog. My husband told me that today while I was at work he took Midnight and Ralphy out to hold them and all the dog did was lick them. Anytime he'd put his paws up he would tell him no and put them back on the ground so he couldn't hurt them. He is still jumping up next to the cage to see them but I think this will eventually pass once his curiosity is satisfied by seeing them on our laps and being able to see them without having to jump up. Right now, he can't see inside the cage with our jumping up on his hind legs, which we have never let him do and I'm not going to let him start now either. He will just have to be patient and see them when they are out of the cage.

 

[MainerGal]

you should check out that episode of dog whisperer where he makes a dog realize that small animals are not to be eaten. Here is a youtube link to part of this episode! Hope it helps! YouTube - Dog Whisperer | Buddy, Teddy & Matilda Also of course, your dog should be drained of all his excess energy before you try to introduce him to your guinea pig. Maybe this is easier said than done...lol...like with my hyper dogs!

(Yes I know in the video there is a rabbit with a cavy, please no back lash about that, just trying to help this poster out!)

 

[erikahand83]

Ummmm........ I don't personally believe in the "Dog Whisperer". No offense or anything but I just think the whole idea is just way out there. Besides that my dog seems to have endless energy so he probably couldn't be hypnotized or whatever they're doing. I think our dog will be fine with them once his curiosity has been satisfied. Thanks for the link but it's just not my thing.

 

[MainerGal]

LOL, ok, he isnt actually whispering to them. Have you ever watched the show? He is able to communicate with severely damaged or dominant dogs, just with his energy, and his gentle touches. Its pretty amazing. Did you take a look at the youtube video? He was able to get a pit bull to not eat a rabbit sitting right infront of him...you gotta give props where props are due...lol.

 

[erikahand83]

I just watched the video, he is pretty much doing the same thing we already do and I think we got the methods off of a tv show. I think it was called "It's Me or the Dog". We make him submissive to us while were holding the pigs and also when he jumps up to the cage he is also brought into the submissive position. It will probably take a couple of days or even weeks for him to accept them into his "pack" because it's been only him, my husband, me and my two kids around since we got him as a puppy. He is really not used to having another animal around but is making good progress.

 

[crazywiggy]

Oh you gotta laugh.... Someone mentions the word "dog" and suddenly its all about DOMINANCE!
Let me explain something - not everything the dog does is related to its position in the hierarchy. It is nonsense to assume that every dog is dominant, or that every behaviour is a sign of dominance.

Dogs are predators. Guinea pigs are prey. Ta-da! Dominance has nothing to do with it, and nothing to do with teaching them to live together!

Milan is a dog abusing moron quite frankly. His methods are not new and impressive - they are the same old abusive crap, based on complete misunderstanding of dog behaviour, and sold to the public who sadly do not know any better. His "theories" (that are not his original theories anyway) were disproved decades ago, and most modern trainers gave up on them way back then. Milan has even been accused of setting dog training back by decades - as "yank and stomp" and "dominance" bull has come back into dog training fashion.

Sorry - its early - and the dominance myth pushes all those buttons.....

 

[Justin]

Another thing that I want to mention is, that certain dogs are more dangerous and you should never risk. For example, my dog is a cairn terror. Cairn terrors are bred to be small animal hunters. Their instinct is way too strong to suppress. In general, I think small/medium dogs are more dangerous.

 

[Aertyn]

Personally I wouldn't let the dog anywhere near the pigs. You simply can't train out the hunting instinct in most small dogs.

My dog never once bothered my pigs...though to be honest he was a wimp and was petrified of them, likewise with my mice.

When we eventually adopt our new family member, he/she will most likely be a small terrier as we will only have a small-ish backyard the pigs will be in a room and a baby gate will be up at the doorway.

And thank you crazywiggy for saying what was on my mind (but just couldn't word it right)

 

[erikahand83]

All I'm really trying to say about the dog is that he was jumping on the cage. All I really do when he jumps he pull him down and say no and take his attention to something else. I haven't even had him in the house when the cage is open let alone when they are sitting with me, sorry to dog owners but I still don't trust the natural hunting instincts left in dogs. My husband on the other hand trusts his dog and trusts that he won't do anything and if he tried he could stop him. I am not so sure to be perfectly honest with if he could stop him if he went into a blood thirsty rage and went after them, not that I'm saying he will. Anyways, I think most of you confirmed what I was already thinking, he can see them while they're in the cage but I'm putting him outside or in another room when they are out of their cage.

 

[ArtisticRainey]

To be honest, I wouldn't let the dog anywhere near the guinea pigs. My friend had two dogs and a rabbit. They lived together for years in peace. The dogs would cuddle up to the rabbit, and it was very sweet. One day the dogs both attacked the rabbit and killed it with no warning.

I'd do a search on this forum for other people's experiences with this issue and see if you can find any good tips on what to do. But when it comes down to it, as crazywiggy said, Dogs are predators. Guinea pigs are prey. It's a very romantic notion that the dog will learn to accept the pigs; it would be great if it did. But the lives of the pigs are potentially at risk. This isn't to say that every dog will kill every cavy, but there is always a chance.

 

[crazywiggy]

Erika - sorry I spent my whole post ranting instead of actually trying to answer your question! It wasn't anything personal - but Milan is one of my pet hates and I just got riled....

Anyway...
My dog is great with the piggies, and I am completely confident she wouldn't hurt them. (She is a bichon frise). But, she has grown up with animals and been around them all her life. She loved the rabbit (that was seriously bizarre), thought the mice were fascinating, tries to wash the neighbours cat etc. I actually think the piggies have more hunting instinct than she does - she just goes all motherly about small furries, treats them like they were her own puppies.

However, I am well aware that my dog is the exception rather than the rule. For a dog that has not been completely used to small animals from early puppyhood I wouldn't risk it.

I think you are doing the right thing. Stop the dog jumping on the cage, teach him to behave nicely around the piggies etc - but ultimately do not let them be together without a safe cage between them. Always better safe than sorry.

 

[Justin]

And thank you crazywiggy for saying what was on my mind (but just couldn't word it right)

I second that.

 

[aqh88]

He is able to communicate with severely damaged or dominant dogs, just with his energy, and his gentle touches.

What? This guy is known for his abrupt, forceful, and sometimes extreme methods. He is considered one of the least "gentle" of the modern trainers out there. Not to say his methods aren't occasionally needed for the dogs he's handling but most of his actions should not be repeated by the average dog owner. He is dealing with last chance dogs not using current recommended training methods for the average dog. I don't have time to watch this youtube episode but I can tell you how I've dealt with a very large high prey drive dog.

First I don't believe dogs and pigs should ever be left in the same room together unsupervised irregardless of cage setup, height, etc.. Accidents have happened more than once with dogs that never showed interest in the pigs or cages that people thought couldn't be reached or broken. If you have pigs and dogs the pigs either go in their own room or the dog goes in it's room or crate while you are gone. Still someone had their dogs break out of the crates and into the guinea pigs' cage. Personally I wouldn't have both if I couldn't have a solid door between them while I'm not around or paying attention.

I think it is better to show the pigs to a dog with supervision. They tend to calm down about the noises and smell and are less likely to lunge or make a sudden unstoppable attack if the pigs were to escape or similar situations. At the beginning do not take the pigs out of the cage. Let the dog in the room to sniff and listen to the sounds. Reprimand if they try to jump or get excited. Start with "NO!" "OFF!" "Leave It!" and if they aren't getting it move up to physically pulling them off the cage and putting them in a sit. All dogs should know sit. If they don't know things like sit, no, and leave it then you should not be attempting to introduce to pigs but signing up for a dog obedience class instead. When they sit quietly praise and treat. Get some good interesting treats. If you have to cut up some steak. Whatever it takes. Treats should be at least as interesting as the pigs and you should be able to remove their attention from the pigs and ask them to sit nicely before moving on.

When they will sit without jumping or getting overly excited then take a pig out of the cage. If they get excited while your catching it make them sit again and keep at it until you can get a pig without the dog trying to join in. Now hold pig within view, if necessary have a 2nd person to hold the dog, but reprimand the dog for jumping or moving out of a sit. They can look but not touch. Pet the pig. Talk softly. Say things like "nice guinea pig, be nice to the guinea pig". Give the dog a treat for sitting nicely. Anything else (including barking- teach a "quiet" command) should be reprimanded and put them back in a sit if they move. Move up to letting them sniff the pig if you think it's safe. If they show any desire to lunge or snap do not ever get the pig near that type of dog. It takes only a split second for a dog to snap and kill a pig. If they just wiggle toward you and want to sniff that's ok.

If I allow a pig within reach I keep one hand around the dogs muzzle so they can't open their mouth and then hold the pig with the other with it's head covered by my hand. I can swing the pig away and shove the dog's head down easily. Only when you can carry the pig around without the dog jumping toward it or getting in your space should you allow them closer or sit with the pigs. Including on furniture. Keep them up high in your arms until you are confident the dog is under control.

If you continue to have problems with jumping and getting too excited over things like guinea pigs I would suggest some dog obedience classes. Every dog irregardless of size, breed, or temperament should know the basics and you should have enough control to put them in a sit verbally in nearly any situation. Having that control could save not only the guinea pigs life but the dog's as well.

If you want I can take pics or possibly even vids of me working with my akita around the other animals. I have gerbils, degus, guinea pigs, cats, and horses. My dog needs to behave around all of them.

 

[originalhandy]

Dakota (mine and Erika's dog) is pretty calm the last few days, we get him standing up and looking in the cage and thats about it, its not in the Uber Hyper way it was the first time he saw them. He has seem them in my lap and done the licking but as soon as paws go up or licks are too constant a "leave it" or "sit" and he stops.

Id never leave a dog and a pig alone in the room for the same reason we dont leave the kids with an unsupervised dog, you never do know whats going to happen.

 

[newbie meggie]

I have a dog and 2 piggies.. I think it depends on your dogs personality. Mine are fine with the piggies and he actually cleans them like they're his babies .. funny part is the piggies don't seem to mind haha

what I did was I sit a pig on my lap and my dog will come and sniff.. important part is to monitor your dogs reaction.

 

[originalhandy]

Thats pretty much what I do. He just licked them to death pretty much hehe. One thing I noticed was that when his face is at the cage they tend to go up to him on occasions.