More Pets = More Planning

The more animals you have in your home, the more management and protocols you need to have in place. These two things are non-negotiable when it comes to keeping everyone safe—because when arousal levels get high, so does the risk for conflict, injury, or full-on meltdown moments.

🛠️ What is Management?

Management means changing the environment to prevent unwanted behaviours before they happen.

• Baby gates

• Crates

• Closed doors

• Barriers

• Long-lasting enrichment

These are all helpful tools I use to create calmer, safer transitions.

For example, when I’m away, Hank usually sleeps downstairs on my bed, and Lucy either curls up on the couch or goes into her crate. When I get home, I use the baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to keep them downstairs until I get sorted. Just like that, half the crew is already managed.

And Hazel and Ella?

They both need to carry something when someone comes in the door. A slipper, a toy, a chew—anything will do. That parading ritual helps them regulate big feelings. So before I leave, I make sure those items are easy to grab by the door.

📋 What Are Protocols?

Protocols are the routines and cues that signal to my dogs what’s going to happen next, and what they should do about it. They're consistent. They're clear.

Dogs are pattern recognizers. They link sights, sounds, and movements to predictable outcomes. So the sequence might look like this:

• Car pulls in → potential someone arriving

• Garage door opens → definitely me

• Car door shuts → any second now

• Footsteps on the stairs → showtime

They know this routine.

And I know them.

Hazel wants to go outside. She’s got a huge reinforcement history out there with balls, discs, and general fun. But it’s also her way to self-regulate. She exits the scene and lowers her own stress.

Lucy needs all the pets—bum scratches, head rubs, the whole deal. And she doesn’t want anyone else cutting in line. Reassurance after being alone for so long.

Ella does a quick lap around me, showing off the item of the day (probably my slipper). Then she heads to a dog bed and waits to see what comes next.

And Hank? He’s the best boy. He just reads the room and rolls with it.

🧠 Why It Matters

If I skip these steps or the sequence of events wrong, it throws everything else off. The dogs no longer have the ability to predict outcomes accurately. And like humans, when we can’t predict what’s going to happen next, we can get pretty anxious, frustrated, worried, excited or uneasy. 

Even something small—like a car pulling in without the garage door opening—signals something different: probably a delivery. That prediction is based on experience. And when their expectations get disrupted too often, it creates stress.

Here’s the bigger issue: stress sticks around.

Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is released when dogs perceive a threat. It’s part of the fight-or-flight response. It’s a great tool for survival and safety —but it lingers. And when cortisol hangs around too long, it affects digestion, immune function, and the body’s ability to heal itself. If stress becomes a daily experience, even good stress, it can lead to long-term behavioural and health issues.

That’s why management and protocols aren’t just training tools. They’re wellness strategies. They help dogs feel safe, seen, and supported—especially in multi-dog homes where excitement can turn to chaos fast.

❤️ The Takeaway

Clear cues. Predictable routines. Intentional environment set ups.

These aren’t just for us. They’re how we show up for our dogs—especially when we live with more than one. More pets means more moving parts... but it also means more opportunities to communicate with care and help everyone feel at ease.