You don’t have to solve the problem to live with it. The following suggestions are not perfect; they are simply ways to try and keep everyone safe while your dog lives with your family.

Muzzles (muzzles.com) – Muzzles can be used for dog on dog aggression and to protect family members from dogs that bite. Basket muzzles allow dogs to drink water and breathe easily, and dogs can be taught to associate them with doing some of their favorite things. Call us, we can talk to you about using them.

Kennel – (not a crate). If your dog were to come to Satchel’s, he/she would live in a 5’X5’X6′ kennel and go out 4 times day. If you need to protect young family members until they can be taught to respect your dog’s space, or if your dog is aggressive towards a member of your family, you can do the same in your own home. It’s not a crate, it’s a kennel and if you get your dog out numerous times a day, your dog can live a full life.

Dog reactive – Walk your dog early or when few if any other dogs are being walked. It’s a very easy way to solve a reactive dog problem.

Dog pulls hard on the leash – try using an Easy Walk harness that clips in the front. Not a Gentle Leader. Easy Walk harnesses work and make hard to walk dogs manageable.

People or workmen – or even friends coming to your home – put your animals away. People don’t need to interact with your dogs. Give the dogs a treat and put them away in a room no one will be accessing or, if someone is there for a short period of time, crate the dog (s).

Divide your home – this is an extreme measure, but most people in rescue do this. If dogs don’t get along with each other – separate them into separate rooms and rotate them when it’s time to go out. Get all of them out multiple times a day – just not with each other. Cats and dogs don’t get along? Again, different rooms – and spend time with each. It’s better than surrendering them to a crowded shelter.

Resource guarder – remove the resource. Bones and toys are for crate time only. Always have the dog’s favorite toy, treat – or something of higher value to your dog within easy reach to exchange for whatever you need to take away from your dog.

Food aggression – simply feed your dog in another room or in a crate. Create routine. Let your dog out of the room or crate after feeding time and pick up the bowls.

Dog is protective of you – As hard as it is – get your dog off the bed and out of the bedroom. Sleeping with you is a big deal in the dog world as is being allowed in the bedroom.

You have no time –  Satchel’s makes sure the dogs get out multiple times a day, but many shelters don’t have the resources to do so. Two 15 minute walks a day with you is better than life in a crate or kennel at some shelters. Get up earlier, steal time from watching TV, talking on the phone or looking at FB. If you meditate, do a walking meditation with your dog. Make walking the dog a family activity. Include your pet in some of your activities.

Cat has crystals – feed the cat the specific food for that type of crystal. That’s what a shelter would do. Your vet can tell you what food to feed.

Cat urinates outside the litter box – take your cat to the vet to rule out any medical issue. If there is no medical issue, try different litters. Have there been any changes in your home – did you add another cat? If so, get each their own litter box. Did you move the litter box? Move it back. Try an enclosed litter box. If nothing else works, put a litter box where the cat is urinating.

Cat scratching your furniture or doorways – have multiple scratching posts around the house, place some where your cat is scratching. Keep your cat’s nails trimmed or covered.

Allergies – This is a tough one, but there are medications for this.

And, finally, ultimatums do not come from people who care about you. Find something that works for everyone. Dogs and cats are not disposable.