5.0

I have a large fenced yard. So dogs can play outside safely. Inside, there is a baby gate in the front door foyer to prevent escapes. When a dog needs to stay seperated I close the door to their room and as an added precaution block off the hallway with a baby gate as a reminder to the rest of family to be mindful. However, I'm careful not to take on any aggressive dogs. Although, there have been some regulars that have been with us for years that became less social as they aged. So, a once established dynamic changed. Therefore, seperation was in order. Safety is top priority. I never allow dogs to haze each other, or fight at all. And we are very vigilant about preventing escapes. Exterior doors are never left open. And, we don't risk opening an exterior door before securing our dogs. In addition we have back yard access from two seperate rooms. And this is condusive to keeping dogs seperated when needed. There is never a need for incompatible dogs to encounter one another while staying at our home. I always establish a rapport and trust with dogs before I introduce them to others by spending one on one time with them, reinforcing training and taking them for walks. Once that is established I can count on them better to listen if they need to be called away from the other dogs during a small group play if things seem to be getting too intense.

Typically I exercise dogs twice a day, 1.5 hours, before each meal. So exercise is about 20-30 min and I'm always careful about heat. We also provide a kiddie pool in the summer for dogs who like that And then they rest for 30-60min before eating to prevent stomache upset or bloat. Some dogs prefer a walk in the neighborhood, others like ball, and some like to play with other dogs. Each eats the dog food their pet parent has provided for them. All dogs are fed seperately to prevent any possible food aggression. I usually have 1 to 3 dogs at a time in addition to our dog. Ocassionally there are more if neccessary. I never exclude my regulars so always find a way to include them. But sometimes that just means we seperate dogs in two groups according to their temperaments and needs. When it's neccessary to seperate dogs for safety or calm we can easily do that. Our house is quiet and peaceful. There is no incessant barking or anxiety. They all settle into their respective spaces knowing that the family is with them meeting their needs for companionship. We will allow dogs on the couches or even beds if they are clean and reliable. My husband and I love to cuddle dogs while watching tv. But we try to discourage them sleeping on couches or beds. There is always the occasional exception. We can be accommodating.