Summer Time Gatherings

6/3/2022

Summer time is often family time, and in some families, that means your dog may be joined by other dogs or kids they don't live with. Some advance preparation can help ensure a happy time for all. You will see I tend to err on the side of caution, as I find that if the first few gatherings go well, future gatherings are easier and less management is required as the expectations have been set from the start.

Arriving

Often emotions run high when we first get together. People are busy greeting each other, often hugging and exclaiming. Kids and dogs arriving may be full of energy after the trip. This can be a prime time for canine chaos. Therefore, consider how your dog might react in advance. If you think they will be extra wound up from the excitement, then consider getting the initial greetings out of the way before involving your dog in the mix. Perhaps a leash would be a good idea to prevent any jumping up or accidentally scaring kids - some dogs get very excited and forget their size, potentially knocking over kids from enthusiasm.

If dogs are arriving, you may have the added dynamic of one dog feeling like another is coming onto their turf. The ideal way to introduce dogs would be to take them on a parallel walk together. Walking gives them other things to focus on besides each other, which reduces the social stress as they get to know one another through gradual exposure while also sniffing and investigating the environment. Leashes can keep an over-exuberant younger dog from jumping on an older dog and allow them time to settle. Then you can return to the house/cottage together.

If your dog is going to be out of sorts right away seeing another dog when on leash, then I would recommend addressing that in advance by contacting a trainer for help teaching your dog better coping skills for when they see another dog.

Being Together

There are a few factors to consider when having multiple dogs or dogs and kids together

Pinch points or tight spaces - prime spots for jostling to occur, or for one dog to set up watch and stare down another to prevent their access. Take a look around when you arrive so you are aware of any potential problem spots, and monitor your dog so you can head off any issues.
Food - some dogs have big feelings about their food. The safest route is to feed the dogs separately from each other and any young children. Supervise your dog when eating, and pick up the bowl when done. If your dog normally has a full bowl throughout the day, offer food often. Watch kids walking around or sitting away from the table with snacks. If your dog isn't used to kids, they may not automatically know that they can't just help themselves to the child's sandwich. You may need to teach them that.
Toys - some dogs have big feelings bout their toys. If that is the case, don't give precious toys in the presence of other dogs. Supervise play with toys and set them up between times if needed. If none of the dogs care if other dogs take their toys - great! If your dog isn't used to kids, they may also not realize that the child's toys aren't their toys. Supervision will be needed to teach your dog to leave those toys alone and play with their own. Also watch if the kids are carrying toys around that the dogs don't try grabbing the toy or accidentally bump into the kids and knock them over.
Resting places - Some dogs don't like being disturbed when resting. Consider trying to set up canine sleeping spots out of the main traffic flow, and either supervise to prevent other dogs or kids from approaching your sleeping dog or settle your dog for a nap in your room behind a door or baby gate and let them rest peacefully.
Priority access to humans - Some dogs get concerned about other dogs approaching their person, or about other people approaching "their" kid. These are more complex issues that would benefit from training in advance and a plan for how to handle it in that situation. But be aware that it can occur so if you see it starting you can redirect your dog.
Exercise - Some dogs will benefit from some exercise before they are asked to be calm and relaxed. An early morning walk, hike or swim might be just the thing to start the day off right. On the other hand, if your dog tends to go go go all day, they my benefit from an afternoon nap to avoid getting over tired.

Helpful Skills

Teaching your dog some cues in advance can really pay off when it comes to integrating them into family gatherings. Some of my favourites are below.

Go to Bed/Mat and Relax - this stationing behaviour allows you to position your dog away from the main action while still having them nearby. I often use it during food preparation and eating.
Leave it - a way to communicate to your dog that something is not for them is a big help with kids toys, kids eating and if a dog wants to play with a dog that doesn't want to play.
Come - it's always helpful to be able to get your dog to come with you on cue so you can move them out of a potentially problematic situation before it becomes a problem.
Disengagement - similar to leave it, but without you needing to give your dog a cue. This is your dog's ability to notice something and decide it's none of their business. For example, my dogs do not live with children and my young dog finds them exciting. When my nice/nephew would pass by his bed on their way to something, I would toss my dog a tiny treat for ignoring them rather than jumping up to go follow them.
Separation - if your dog is able to calmly settle when separated from you behind a barrier such as a door, baby gate, x-pen or crate it gives you a way to create some separate zones for times you need a break from supervising. For example I've used a gate to separate kids playing in the living room from dogs hanging out in the kitchen.

Tip: Naps can Help

We've had extended family get togethers with 7 dogs in the house ranging in age from 4 months to 11 years and from small to giant in size. One of the biggest take aways is that they don't all need to be together all of the time. Sometimes it is helpful to separate them for short periods of time to allow for rest - both the dogs and the people! And we were fortunate to have the space to do so.

Puppies tend to be all about play all the time, and this is often not appreciated by older dogs. If the adult dogs are done, and the puppy is pestering, it's time to redirect the puppy and prevent them from pestering. You could put the puppy on leash, or utilize a barrier to create separate zones or redirect the puppy to play with you or go for a walk.
Some dogs may become a bit sore if they are more active than normal. Some sore dogs get snarky if other dogs come too close or step on them when they are resting out of fear of being hurt. It would be a good idea to encourage older dogs to settle out of the way and redirect other dogs out of their space, or let them sleep in peace in another room. Also, if you find this happening with your dog, I recommend talking to your vet about options for pain control, as none of us want our dogs to be hurting.
Some dogs have a big fear of missing out, and will not sleep if they are part of the action - then they can get tired and cranky and make poor decisions. Separating these dogs out of the action gives them a chance to sleep and recharge, so they are better behaved when they rejoin everyone. Adult dogs typically sleep 16 hours a day - that's a lot! 8-10 hours overnight still leaves 6-8 during the day.

Tip: Things to consider packing

When packing for family gatherings I often include some longer lasting chews (i.e. bully sticks, cheek rolls, ox tails) along with my usual Kongs and food dispensing toys. This allows me to make separation time more fun, or, if the situation is appropriate give chews to occupy the dogs when the people want to settle for a quiet time. Since my dogs wolf down food in bowl in no time at all, sticking it in food dispensing toys makes it last a little longer and gives them a puzzle to occupy their mind.

A leash or two. Even if your dog is normally off leash, in a different place or exciting situation you may want the ability to put them on a leash. They don't take up much space if you end up not using one.

A bed or mat to create a place for your dog to settle. It doesn't need to be fancy, but this can be extremely helpful if things get hectic.

A baby gate, crate or x-pen. Ways to create a private space, or different zones if needed. As the dogs get used to each other, or used to the kids, they may no longer be needed. But in the beginning it can help ensure a peaceful gathering.