Introducing your Manor Lake Australian Labradoodle to your other pets is an important introduction, below is an article from The Humane Society on tips about how to make a proper introduction.

Introducing a Dog to Other Pets

The Humane Society of the United States- November 3, 2009

From “the leader of the pack” to “the top dog,” plenty of simplistic metaphors come from the canine world. But relationships between canines can be pretty complex, beginning with the very first meeting.

Like most animals who live in groups, dogs establish their own social structure, sometimes called a dominance hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy serves to maintain order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among pack members.

Dogs also establish territories, which they may defend against intruders or rivals. Of course, dogs’ social and territorial nature affects their behavior whenever a new dog is introduced to the household.

Choose a neutral location

Introduce the dogs in a neutral location so that your resident dog is less likely to view the newcomer as a territorial intruder. Each dog should be handled by a separate person. With both dogs on leashes, begin the introductions in an area unfamiliar to each, such as a park or a neighbor’s yard. If you frequently walk your resident dog in a nearby park, she may view that area as her territory, too, so choose a less familiar site. If you are adopting your dog from an animal shelter, you might even bring your resident dog to the local shelter and introduce the two there (some shelters may even require that a new dog meets the resident dog before the adoption is complete).

Use positive reinforcement

From the first meeting, help both dogs experience “good things” when they’re in each other’s presence. Let them sniff each other briefly, which is normal canine greeting behavior. As they do, talk to them in a happy, friendly tone of voice; never use a threatening tone. (Don’t allow them to investigate and sniff each other for too long, however, as this may escalate to an aggressive response.)

After a short time, get the attention of both dogs and give each a treat in return for obeying a simple command, such as “sit” or “stay.” Take the dogs for a walk and let them sniff and investigate each other at intervals. Continue with the “happy talk,” food rewards, and simple commands.

Be aware of body postures

One body posture that indicates things are going well is a “play-bow.” One dog will crouch with her front legs on the ground and her hind end in the air. This is an invitation to play, and a posture that usually elicits friendly behavior from the other dog. Watch carefully for body postures that indicate an aggressive response, including hair standing up on one dog’s back, teeth-baring, deep growls, a stiff-legged gait, or a prolonged stare. If you see such postures, interrupt the interaction immediately by calmly getting each dog interested in something else.

For example, both handlers can call their dogs to them, have them sit or lie down, and reward each with a treat. The dogs’ interest in the treats should prevent the situation from escalating into aggression. Try letting the dogs interact again, but this time for a shorter time period and/or at a greater distance from each other.

Taking the dogs home

When the dogs seem to be tolerating each other’s presence without fearful or aggressive responses, and the investigative greeting behaviors have tapered off, you can take them home. Whether you choose to take them in the same vehicle will depend on their size, how well they ride in the car, how trouble-free the initial introduction has been, and how many dogs are involved.

If you have more than one resident dog in your household, it may be best to introduce the resident dogs to the new dog one at a time. Two or more resident dogs may have a tendency to “gang up” on the newcomer.

It is important to support the dominant dog in your household, even if that turns out to be the newcomer. This may mean, for example, allowing the dominant dog to claim a special toy or favored sleeping spot as his own. Trying to impose your preference for which dog should be dominant can confuse the dogs and create further problems.

Introducing puppies to adult dogs

Puppies usually pester adult dogs unmercifully. Before the age of four months, puppies may not recognize subtle body postures from adult dogs signaling that they’ve had enough. Well-socialized adult dogs with good temperaments may set limits with puppies with a warning growl or snarl. These behaviors are normal and should be allowed.

Adult dogs who aren’t well-socialized, or who have a history of fighting with other dogs, may attempt to set limits with more aggressive behaviors, such as biting, which could harm the puppy. For this reason, a puppy shouldn’t be left alone with an adult dog until you’re confident the puppy isn’t in any danger. Be sure to give the adult dog some quiet time away from the puppy, and some extra individual attention as well.

When to get help

If the introductions don’t go smoothly, contact a professional animal behaviorist immediately. Dogs can be severely injured in fights, and the longer the problem continues, the harder it can be to resolve. Punishment won’t work, and could make things worse. Fortunately, most conflicts between dogs in the same family can be resolved with professional guidance.

Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.

Read with your Manor Lake Australian Labradoodle- this is an article from PetMD online about read-to-animals. The Australian Labradoodle is a great therapy companion, maybe its something you want to look into with your Manor Lake Australian Labradoodle!

Books and Bones
The Benefits of Reading to Animals

by CECILIA DE CARDENAS

August 3, 2010

When you try to think of someone who would exercise the least amount of judgment upon others, few come to mind. It’s in our nature to opine on others, much as it is in a dog’s nature to wag its tail when it’s paid even the least bit of attention. Dogs are simply a different story. To quote from John Grogan’s bestseller Marley & Me about his relationship with his own loyal labrador, “A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.”

That’s what makes programs like the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program so brilliant. R.E.A.D. aims to build confidence in children and strengthen their communication skills by providing therapy dogs for them to read to out loud. Results from the program boast an overall improvement in test scores, all while building the child’s self-esteem.

If you’re wondering how the concept works, think back to your own school days. For some, reading out loud was a source of embarrassment and shame. Schoolchildren could often be cruel, ridiculing their peers’ troubles instead of encouraging them to overcome. Many children give up on reading altogether and relent their turn to read out loud to the next student. Now think: what if your only audience while reading out loud had been a dog? Without the scrutiny and vulnerability to mockery, reading out loud may have been a pleasurable experience. With time and practice, reading level and self-assurance increase, and a sense of worth and accomplishment is earned.

The program began in 1999 as a part of Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA). The idea was conceptualized by Sandi Martin, a member of ITA, who wondered how she could bring therapy animals into a literary setting. Thus the program was launched, and now, eleven years later, R.E.A.D. groups have expanded to schools and libraries in Canada and the United Kingdom.

The dogs used in the program come in all shapes and sizes – they are selected for their temperament rather than for their breed. R.E.A.D. dogs are usually mild mannered and patient, calm and well groomed. Other animals have been used in the program as well, from rabbits to guinea pigs to parrots.

Children participating in the program are given animal-centric books and typically learn about their canine companion while building their reading skills. This enables a complete learning experience, making reading a highly enjoyable and memorable encounter.

Similar programs have sprung up across the nation, stemming from local branches of the Humane Society, pet rescue organizations, or using other animals. I Read To Animals, a part of the Best Friends Animal Society, has achieved great success in four different states using a variety of different animals. The Black Stallion Literacy Project, started by Tim Farley, son of Walter Farley, author of the Black Stallion books, focuses on using horses as a child’s audience as the child explores Farley’s books by reading them out loud to their equine companions. Children involved in the program also learn about horses, from anatomy to care and grooming.

So if your child is having difficulty reading, or you notice a decrease in your child’s self-confidence, consider having them participate in a read-to-animals program this school year. Though R.E.A.D. groups may not expand to all corners of the world, yet, it may not surprise you to find that your local animal rescue or shelter may have a similar program of its own. The benefits of reading to animals are, without a doubt, something to bark about.