[Gpdd] MISC: dogs and GP's...

[Michelle Melaragno]

	Thought I would send in my thoughts about guinea pigs and
dogs...I'll probably broaden it a bit, too!  I have a Portuguese Water
Dog, Luna, who has a temperament to die for when it comes to other
animals!  She absolutely LOVES the piggies, especially the babies when
they come into rescue.  I trust her completely to never intentionally
hurt anything!  She even walks gently around the day old hatchling
chicks when we get new ones...sometimes lovingly gives them a nudge with
her nose.  She acted as a surrogate mom, then best playmate to my bottle
baby lamb this spring, and right now occasionally allows a young kitten
to try to nurse from her (she just finished nursing her own litter of
pups!)  Once, she "pointed" out a grounded fledgling oriole until I came
to rescue it.  When she stays home alone, which is not very often, she
is allowed free roam of most rooms, even the ones containing guinea pig
habitats.  Luna frequently "spars" with Angel, one of my Therapy guinea
pigs... they have so much fun together (think of the piggie jumping
around the head of a dog instead of playing with THE HAND!)  Other than
providing numerous opportunities to meet and play with all kinds of
animals, I did no real training to MAKE her this way...it is largely her
personality.  HOWEVER, I would never leave her unattended with the
guinea pigs out loose.  I feel it is my responsibility to protect all
from the inevitable accidents that COULD happen.  A dog could get
excited at their person coming home and accidentally step on the piggie,
for example.  Anyway, my point is, there is a very large potential for
injury or death to happen if we get too nonchalant about it.  Most of my
cats are also extremely good with the piggies, but I would never chance
open top cages for the piggies.  Instinct is something we, as humans,
have largely left in our ancient history.  Actions from instinct in
animals however, is something that we have little ability to predict.  
	This is just my OPINION, but I will pass along some ADVICE based
on over 20 years of working with dogs.  I truly feel that the "earth"
dogs or terriers, as a group, should NEVER even remotely be trusted with
any type of small animal (I have a 3 legged cat who will tell you how
she lost her 4th leg to a Jack Russell!)  I know, some are amazingly
gently, but if/when instinct tells them to run after something... I
might also add the sight hounds (and maybe most hounds in general) to
this rule, just for the fact that they can get completely engaged in a
chase "if it moves"!
	I have a friend who was convinced that her Border Collie/English
Setter X would really hurt her GP's, given the way the dog OBSESSED over
them.  She would stand and stare at their cage for hours on end and they
would have to force her out of the room.  In a very controlled
environment one day, we took the piggies out for her dog to see...and
she completely lost interest.  She is only interested if they are in the
cage!  Not sure what that's about, but she made no move to get closer or
hurt them when they were out of the cage!  This same dog is part of our
Animal Assisted Therapy organization...when we take her and Angel
somewhere together, the dog is impossible to deal with until Angel comes
out of her carry-cage, then she will contentedly lay her head in my lap
while Angel munches on kale and waits for the kids to have a chance to
visit!
	Now, having said all that, I also firmly believe that each dog
is an individual, and should be treated only as such.  We all know that
strange combinations of animals have become the best of friends, with
and without human intervention, and I would never want to deny any
animal (or us) that opportunity.
	If you are uncertain about how to acclimate your dog to your
GP's, there are some great books out there that focus on the REAL dog
within...from an instinct and pack point of view.  Pay close attention
to identifying body language and position and "eye" from your dog.  That
will be your best indicator.  There's never an easy answer, is there?
Hope all goes well in your search for a canine companion!!

Michelle Melaragno
Whistle Ridge Cavy Rescue
Auburn, ME 04210
207-783-0742