[Sookie's mom]

This might be a stupid question, but what is the best way for one person to train two dogs at a time? Is it a good idea? Is it helpful for one dog to have another dog as an example? I'm talking about trick training like rollover, fetch, jump, things like that. Would it help them deal with distractions a bit better?

[Alpha]

I've found it's better to work one on one when introducing a behaviour. Giving them your full attention.

Once a behaviour is known to a dog, some kind of "competition" can come in handy.

For example, often with my dogs we'll have mini-comps to see who gets to do something first like. "DOWN!" Whoever downs first gets to play tug first, or during training they'll get rewarded first and doubly.

There aren't too many new behaviours that I do with my dogs. We have a few new tricks we're working on, but most of training is now practice of already learned behaviours. Yes, I vary it up, but all of the behaviours we practice, my dogs know already. So I've found while training, having them both together is a good distraction for the dog who ISN'T doing said task.

Ex) I'm working on go-outs with Roxy, Hades is in a down stay waiting for his turn. It's a bigger distraction for Hades, being in the down stay and mommy playing with Roxy, than rather it being a distraction for Roxy who is actually doing the excercise. Make sense?

Hades is still doing an excercise, although it doesn't seem like one to him.

Personally, with my two dogs, they haven't learned from example from each other. I take my time with each of them separately, than once the behaviour is known, I'll work them together.

Hope that answers your question.

[poodleholic]

One dog at a time to begin with. When each dog knows the drill, then together is fine. What I do with mine is to play a version of Simon Says: Both dogs are sitting in front of me. When I preface a cue (command) with Maddy's name, only Maddy is to respond; Beau is to remain sitting. And vice versa. Both have become very good at the game, regardless of how fast I give the cues - they LOVE this game!

[echo8287]

I do the same thing as Poodleholic with my 2 Mini Schnauzers. They sit one on one side and the other on the other side. I say each ones name and then what I want them to do and we take turns. I let one be first this time and then the other one the next time. Treat equally. They are pretty good at it and sometimes they learn faster and on some things they don't. If you are using little pieces of hot dog,chicken or steak, their attention is riveted.David

[opokki]

I agree with working with each dog individually first and then together. My dogs do pick up on things from watching each other but I still find it best to work with each dog separately.

[Dogstar]

I do a number of different things.

When working with one dog who's totally untrained, I only work them one on one- it's just too distracting otherwise. Once the dog progresses to having at least SOME form of sit or downstay, I'll put the dog in a stay, tethered to something stationary, and work the other dog (and reward the stay dog from time to time with treats thrown to him/her.)

When I'm working on speed, I'll work dogs in a group- ask everyone for a sit or a down, and treat the first dog (or few dogs, if it's more than two or three) to sit. I intersperse this with treating all dogs that HOLD the sit while treats are being handed out, so dogs learn pretty quickly 'sit fast and WAIT THERE.'

This isn't true for everything- really the only training I do in a group is on sits and downs and stands, to be honest, and really only that after the dog knows the behavior well. So I guess I don't train much in groups either- just proof in groups. :P