John,
I do a lot of in-home formals and I use the same setup that I use for Group shots at shows or portraits in my studio: 2 AB400s, Silver umbrellas, backdrop stand and several backdrops.

Since it's the same setup I always use, the settings are pretty much always the same too. So all I have to do is concentrate on the dog(s) or other animals. I've done location shoots were I've schlepped in all my studio stuff and then looked around and saw a penthouse full of 18th century antiques. Since the pet subjects were Standard Poodles, I just put my 580 flash on and bounced it off the rather low ceilings and, voila, instant studio. But the "props" were spectacular!

My only advice is don't make it so different that you get caught up in exposure and lighting ratios when you should be concentrating on the subjects. My setup is *almost* always the same: same lights, same distance, same umbrellas, same backdrops.

Jim