Canine Custody: Who Gets The Dog?

Going through a divorce is difficult enough with pressing issues like dividing the assets and child custody, but for some couples, especially those who do not have human children, custody of the dog or dogs becomes a problem.

When a couple has children, the pets usually stay with the spouse who retains custody of the kids. It would be traumatic and heartbreaking to rip away a child's pet during his or her parent's divorce. But when there are no children, and both spouses consider the dog to be the "child", things can get heated and nasty. A canine custody battle can ensue.

There is a new book that addresses this problem and aims to guide divorcing couples through the difficult process of canine custody. Jennifer Keene is the author of We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs: Doing What's Best For Your Dog when Your Relationship Breaks.

Here are some tips to working out custody of your dog during a divorce:

1. Put your dog first. It is important to put aside your own needs and think of what is best for your dog. Consider his age, temperament health and tolerance for change.

2. Be fair. Working out an arrangement where you and your ex can share custody of the dog will take hard work and require you both put your emotions aside.

3. Don't fight in front of the dog. Dogs, like kids, sense negative energy and are affected by their owners lashing out at one another. Your goal should be to keep your dog's routine and surroundings as familiar as possible and make sure he feels safe and loved.

Your dog has given you unconditional love and has been there for you through the best and worst times. You owe it to him to do what is best and keep him happy, despite your changing circumstances. Try to work with your spouse to ensure that you both get quality time with the dog after the divorce and do it the most amicable way possible.