The Reply:
Sure, completely…with a correctly socialized terrier you’ll be able to!
Terriers, by breeding, are hunters. Most terrier breeds had been used to root out vermin and pests, and help in looking fox, weasel, otter, badger, and many others…Our 5 terriers are nice little hunters and nonetheless have nice intuition. They love chasing squirrels, birds, bugs…something that strikes in our yard.
Understanding this, you’d suppose that having a small unique animal as a pet could be out of the query round your terriers…Effectively, let me let you know from expertise that it’s potential.
I do know, I do know…You are pondering {that a} hedgehog has quills and may defend itself and deter a terrier from attacking. Partly, that is appropriate. Nevertheless, at no time in any respect have any of our 5 terriers wished to assault our African pygmy hedgehog.
Should you correctly socialize your terrier to just accept different animals that aren’t seen as threats, they’ll have a pleasant relationship with different pets in your family. I used to be a bit of leery, particularly about introducing our little Knosey, as she will be essentially the most “fierce” of our minis, however it all went effectively and continues to go effectively. There comes some extent the place you simply need to belief your parenting abilities…
Knosey, Treasured & Kurious sit subsequent to the our hedgehog, Kokonut Kreampuff’s cage and pine away for Kokonut to grace them along with her presence. Any small motion of the hedgie sparks their curiosity they usually run to the cage to view something that Kokonut does. Our miniature schnauzers will even come to tell me that the hedgie has awoken out of her sleep and to return and see. It’s the cutest factor.
I do know…Now you are saying, effectively, the hedgehog is in a cage…I let the hedgehog out of the cage with no issues both. In truth, our terriers struggle over who can get the closest to the hedgehog.
They encircle Kokonut as she walks round the home, in no way scared or bothered by her giant pals, they usually “defend” her from going beneath furnishings or into areas she shouldn’t be alleged to go. They’ve been identified to “herd” her into applicable and secure areas of the home or room.
The feminine terriers, particularly, suppose that it’s a child within the pack and attempt to are likely to it. Kurious has been seen attempting to softly lick the hedgehog’s ears and has even tried to gingerly choose up Kokonut along with her entrance enamel to maneuver her to a greater space. Wonderful! What motherly instincts! They know she is little and weak and need to defend, groom and play with the hedgehog.
I do know…Now you are saying, effectively, this appears to be a really managed setting. To that I snicker…Even when the hedgehog is allowed to roam a bit within the yard, our canines proceed to nurture their relationship with their little buddy.
Kaptain, our male miniature schnauzer, runs across the yard with an enormous chest as a lookout to verify nothing goes to invade the yard and injure the hedgehog. The women take turns strolling subsequent to the hedgie…It is all so cute!
The Purpose This Works: Socialization!
We made sure when our terriers had been puppies, to introduce them to a wide range of folks, animals and pets. Once you do, you could deal with that particular person, animal or pet the way you need your terrier to deal with them. Within the case of a kid or a pet, your terrier must know that the kid or pet is vital and to not be harmed.
Sit together with your terrier and this new buddy, and inform your terrier that the buddy is sweet. If it’s a pet, pet each of the animals (or leg/arm of kid) to ease any uncomfortable emotions. Say, “Good “your pet’s/kid’s identify“, Good “your terrier’s identify” in a relaxed, soothing voice to indicate them that they’re each vital in your books. This can show to the animals the way you need them to deal with one another.
If any habits arises that’s unsatisfactory or aggressive, that you must nip it within the bud instantly by reprimanding your terrier or different pet accordingly. Bear in mind: You might be in cost!
On the identical token, you’ll be able to prepare your terrier to dislike one other animal by being aggressive your self to that animal…For instance, when you do not respect the squirrels in your yard, you’ll be able to train your terrier to indicate aggression in the direction of them and scare them away. Once more, they are going to take cues off of your habits, so be sure you are sending the correct alerts.
Canine, particularly terriers, are super-intelligent and it’s simple for them to study good behaviors in addition to naughty habits!
by Kimberly Edwards
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