Can a Protection Dog live with Other Pets?

We are commonly asked by potential clients if the dogs we train can share a home with other pets. While this varies between individual dogs, we have generally found it to be possible and little cause for concern. If personalities do not clash and introductions are carefully managed, there is no reason why a protection dog cannot live with other pets. Part of our extensive training is socialising our dogs with other animals they are likely to encounter in the future, and this allows us to assess suitability for living with other pets in a controlled setting.

Broadly speaking, it is easiest for dogs to share the same home, especially if they are not the same sex. Protection dogs can also live with cats, but this is very dependent on how high their prey drive is. Lower prey drive dogs are more likely to thrive with cats, whereas a high prey drive could manifest itself in unwanted chasing and even aggression. New cats and dogs should always be carefully introduced on neutral territory in a controlled manner, ideally with some kind of barrier between them for safeguarding. Rodents can also live with protection dogs, but never in an unenclosed or fully shared space.

Other household pets are one of the considerations we factor for when assessing which of our dogs would be best to place in a new client’s home. We can also train our dogs how to behave around other pets in preparation for their final placement. If you have any questions about protection dogs sharing their home with other pets, please email [email protected].