Did you know that people actually share dogs and these lovely pets have two homes to go to? Not only do couples and families do this, but friends as well, from busy owners to full-time employees. These kinds of arrangements are great to ensure that the dog is healthy, but it can also be stressful.
That’s why it’s crucial to learn more about sharing a dog between two homes to reduce the anxiety it puts on the pet. I did the research so read on to know about dog sharing and how you can do it for your dog’s sake, too!
What Is Dog Sharing? Is It a Good Idea?
Before anything else, let’s look into dog sharing, which is actually a “trend” that just came up recently!
Dog sharing is basically sharing a dog between two homes, spending its time between both of these households. Costs, training, exercises and the like are covered based on the mutual agreement of the parties.
While this may be a good idea for you, there are some things to consider for your dog. After all, they’re creatures of routine and may get stressed, though every dog’s different!
However, if you’re situation proves it best, such as an ex-couple with shared custody or having different families, or being unable to be with your dog during certain times from work, then dog sharing may be right for you. If not, we’ll get into alternatives in the next section!
Sometimes, this happens from shared custody of a dog. Check out this interesting example of getting custody of a dog here:
Tips on Sharing a Dog Between Two Homes
Now that you’re familiar with sharing a dog between two homes, how can you do it? If you’re planning to share your dog, here are some tips to follow:
1. Have a Meeting and Written Agreement
Before anything else, have a meeting with the one you’re sharing the dog with. It’s best to sit down and talk about all the issues that may arise and how to solve it together. When talking about all the costs, scheduling, and other aspects of dog sharing, have a written document prepared. Both parties should sign the agreement with an independent witnessing it for any legal purpose.
2. Who’s the Legal Owner and Who Pays For What?
When talking about the arrangements, who is the legal owner of the dog first? Remember, the legal owner will be the one taking care of any court case which involves the dog, as well as any documents required for them, such as insurance, license tags, or microchipping records.
Also, list down the different costs when caring for the dog and how it will be paid. It may be better to split costs for bigger expenses like insurance and veterinary bills, then to have individual costs for food, toys, and other everyday needs.
3. Set Up a Schedule
The scheduling is important and needs to be addressed, ensuring that the dog gets as much time with the owners as possible. Consider both your schedules (work, school, other activities), then split the time in equal days. The dog’s schedule should also include time for exercise and training if required.
As much as possible, keep the schedule consistent, making it into a routine for dogs to be more comfortable with the arrangement.
4. Getting Your Dog Used to Moving Homes
When it’s time to start the dog sharing arrangement already, make the transition slow and steady. Allow your dog to have a lot of time getting used to the second home, spending a week to a month in one house, then the same amount of time in the other. Make sure that he uses the same bed and toys to help them settle in both homes.
5. Alternatives to Look Into If Your Dog’s Stressed
Some dogs will get stressed over the situation, and they would show their stress through:
- Problems in the toilet
- Destructive behavior
- Feeling withdrawn or aggressive
- Loss of appetite
- Depressive behavior
If this happens, it’s best to look for alternatives to dog sharing instead (which have him stay in one home), which are:
- Putting him in doggy daycare
- Hiring adequate dog walkers
- Meeting dog borrowers or dog sitters
- Checking him into a kennel or dog hotel
Wrapping It Up
Dog sharing, whatever the reason may be behind it, is a great idea only for certain situations. If done right, you’ll be able to lessen the stress on your part, while keeping your beloved dog happy. All it takes is coordination and to keep giving the attention your dog needs for better health.
I hope that this article on sharing a dog between two homes helped you learn a thing or two! So start assessing your current situation and see if this is a good arrangement for you now.