Question for the bonding hive mind…

[DanaNM]

Heyyyyyyy everyone.

So, I’ve been thinking my two are about ready for some long sessions. Not sure if they will be full-on marathon (as in 24 hrs a day supervision until they are cemented) but I do think it’s time for some 6-8 hour sessions at least. 

I’d like some opinions on the best locations for these long sessions.

The shelter and my office are options for 4-6 hour sessions, but once I need to continue into longer than that I need something at home (where my hubby can take over occasionally). 

My options are (with pro’s and cons):

Disguised bathroom – play mats as the floor and walls

Pros- probably the most neutral (but still not perfectly neutral)

Cons- smallest, so they get antsy and bored, hardest to supervise for long periods of time

Disguised kitchen – again using play mats (and maybe puppy pee pads) on floor, play mats as walls

Pros- easier to supervise, larger than bathroom

Cons – less neutral (depending on how well disguising works). still not huge. hard to cook dinner :p 

Disguised area in main room of the apartment- prob put down a tarp or linoleum scrap on floor, play mats and pee pads on top, play mats as walls to block view of room

Pros – largest area possible, easiest to supervise

Cons – least neutral (Maybe?), depending on how well the disguising works

What do you guys think? For those who have “disguised” rooms to make them neutral, did it work out well? 

If all of those options sound bad, I’m open to other ideas!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Sirius&Luna]

I tried ‘disguising’ my bathroom, and it didn’t go especially well. But then, I’ve been bonding on a table top that is semi-neutral really, so I can’t see why the bathroom would be worse.

So, if you’d be disguising all of the options anyway, I think you might as well go for the one that would be easiest, the main room.

Just read your update in the main bonding thread, and I agree, it sounds like they’re ready for some longer sessions! How exciting.

Would you be able to start the session at the shelter, then bring them back in the carrier together and place into the disguised space?

[DanaNM]

Would you be able to start the session at the shelter, then bring them back in the carrier together and place into the disguised space?

That’s what I was thinking! I think going into the carrier and out of the house disorients them a bit, so hopefully that works. 

I was leaning towards the main room since I can give them more space as well. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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