Training for the 2-dog Households (poll)

1064 Views 11 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Luann Combs, Jul 28, 2012

guitarguy

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2012

Just a little poll about how you all handle the multiple dog household.

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately?

2. What about training?

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors?

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other?

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans?

We usually go for walks together, although I can tell our new adopted buddy that we pick up tomorrow

whoo

is going to need some extra work/exercise so I'll probably take him out alone as well.

Both of our dogs have always gotten training practice together and alone, working on different things.

I haven't had to work on many behavior issues in a while, but our new fella is going to have to learn how to chill because he's very (friendly) reactive and doesn't know how to greet people calmly. What do you guys suggest to do with our other dog when we work with him? Crate is probably the best bet, although it'll probably be a distraction becuase he'll be a bit annoyed and may whine a little knowing we're playing in the next room. Very excited to try the LAT game with him and also work on rewarding by staying calm while moving closer to a trigger from a distance.

For the most part I'm the one handling the dogs. My wife will work with them occasionally too but not all that much. I'm trying to get her to work on her timing more!! :redface:

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trainingjunkie

· #2 · Jul 27, 2012

I own 3. I walk them each seperately 2 or 3 times a week. My pup gets walked alone about 5 times a week. Then, I walk the whole group almost daily for about an hour.

I train them each seperately almost every day. Some get more time, some less, depending on what we are working on and our show schedule.

When I am working one dog, the other two are either chilling inside and away from the action or they are crated. Sometimes I intentionally crate everyone in sight of each other and rotate through the dogs quickly. Everyone is extremely eager to work when they come out for their turns.

When I train in classes, I try to find times when I can work different dogs back to back. Twice a week, I can work all three in classes. I bring two crates and rotate dogs.

For performance training, I am the sole handler, although occasionally my husband will run agility with some of them just for fun. My step son has run them on occasion as well. For day to day obedience, my dogs will listen to anyone in the household. I do the actual training, but the crew will take instructions from the whole family.

It's easiest if you just build a lifestyle around it. Our dogs are involved in almost every aspect of our lives.

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momtolabs

· #3 · Jul 27, 2012

guitarguy said:
Just a little poll about how you all handle the multiple dog household.

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately? Separately

2. What about training? separately most of the time but sometimes together

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors? I work with what dog has a problem. If one dog is say DA I work with his DA while with the other dog I would work with whatever he has problems with.

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other?Inside or outside on a tie-out, depending on the weather

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans?I am the only trainer. I have 4 brothers and sisters and my mom and dad but they only listen to me.

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sassafras

· #4 · Jul 27, 2012

Sometimes I walk them together, sometimes separately. I like them to be accustomed to both.

I train separately, sort of... if we are all in the same space (ie the backyard or the living room) whoever is not actively being trained is either practicing down-stays or I'm just ignoring them and using them as distractions for whoever is being actively trained. If I really want to work on something specific without the distraction of the other dogs, I'll either work with one dog outside while the others are inside or vice versa.

For problem behaviors, it depends on what the problem is. If it were a problem between two of the dogs, they would need to be in each other's presence at least part of the time - although I'd either have two handlers or a baby gate separating them if that was the case.

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Shell

· #5 · Jul 27, 2012

when my fosters are here...

guitarguy said:
Just a little poll about how you all handle the multiple dog household.

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately? Both. The majority of the time I walk both of them since the fosters tend to need some leash walking skills and they seem to do better sticking to Chester's side. But I try to do 2-3 times per week a walk with each dog alone. For Chester, its his chance to sniff and relax without some doofus bumbling by his side. For the foster, it is training time and making sure they don't get too dependent on Chester and suffer setbacks in a new home. For a second permanent dog, it would give extra bonding time and training time.

2. What about training?
Always alone with the newbie. I will proof small bits of training with both dogs, but real training sessions (and training classes) are individual.

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors?
Usually alone. Unless the problem is something between the two dogs or something while we're walking out and about.

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other?
Leave at home usually if its for a training class or a walk, leave inside and train outside. Always give a treat like a stuffed Kong before I leave and after a training session with one, I give some sort of special attention to the other

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans?
It is only me most of the time. If I have a friend or family member that is coming along on a walk or hike, depending on who they are I choose which dog they should walk. Like, with my father I have him walk Chester and I walk the foster until the foster has enough training not to pull. With my mother, I walk both dogs together and just ask her to carry water or be an extra hand. With dog world people, I usually give them the foster and let Chester hang with me. If they were both my dogs, I would just make sure that all people in the household take turns working with all dogs

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Luann Combs

· #6 · Jul 27, 2012

I am very excited about this Thread. Working with two is such an adjustment and challenge. I have an 8yr old Husky/Aussie and a 1yr old Lab-Mix. Both are my 'babies' and I have to admit crying many tears over frustration of agression issues that began when the lab mix, Bridgette, was about six months old. The older female seemed threatened by the younger female. Also, at that time we did have alot of stress in our household due to a stepdaughter w/drug problems. Anyway... Both our dogs are spayed (early!).

Formal training has helped to reduce and almost eliminate scuffles. We had one actual injury when they had been playing nicely outside this spring, and then the 1yr old came (8 months at the time) came back in the house bleeding from her Rt Rib area. Since then, my husband and I have taken extra steps to be pack leader to the older dog as well. I noticed recently that the older dog now looks to me and waits for me to take charge of the younger dog if she is pestering her to play when she doesn't want to. I am pleased by this!

Currently, I work with the 1yr old with the 8yr old separated. If I am inside with Bridgett, then Snoopy is outside. This is because we have a problem with fighting over food, treats, or high value toys. I pray for a solution to this as well.
I know that pack walks are important, the husky/aussie will bolt & pull which has brought me to the ground about four times and my husband twice in recent years. So I just bought an Easy Walker harness which seems to do the trick. The dog loves it, and I love it even more. We will start pack walks now, and hopefully I can walk them both together after they get more accustomed to together.

I am very open to suggestions on training both dogs equally and improving my dog-handling skills. My husband is cooperative partner, but has 6 herniated discs in his low back and isn't as enthusiastic about training as I am. He is good at playing with both dogs and does follow through on things I share with him about training. He has a commanding voice and both dogs do indeed listen to him....and that is a big help.

Like I said, I am so happy for this thread and reading everyone's posts. I work full time and off on weekends.

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HollowHeaven

· #7 · Jul 28, 2012

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately? -> Together, separately for bathroom breaks.

2. What about training? -> Training is done separately but enforced together.

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors? -> Separately, unless it's something to do with the both of them, then of course it should be done together.

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other? -> Put dat dawg away xD Usually in another room/crate/outside/somewhere where s/he won't interfere.

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans? -> It's just me. I'm the only one physically able to do the walking, grooming, feeding, so on and so forth. That, and I'll be honest, I do not trust another person to handle my dogs. Diesel, maybe, depending on the actual dead physical strength of the person. Aleu has tricks, she takes a sharp, precise hand, while Diesel needs to just have solid strength against him if he decides to act up. This is in terms of walking, etc. As far as training goes, I feel like everyone in the household should take part in working with the dog.

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Abbylynn

· #8 · Jul 28, 2012 (Edited)

I have three dogs. I train separately for obedience. I walk separately and will be training them to walk together this year with a coupler lead.

Problem dogs get one on one training out of sight of the other dogs. I leave the other dogs in a different room. I take them outside or in another room to be trained away from distractions at first ... and later on allow them all together for distraction purposes. I only crate Eddee because he is new and I cannot trust him in the house alone.

Once the dogs are trained ... I like to trick train with them all present ... as they seem interested to watch (because of the treats! Lol!) and sometimes they have picked up on the behavior I am training this way.

I am the only handler and trainer. I do it all! Lol! including grooming.

My Dad will take them to the potty from time to time.

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Elliebell

· #9 · Jul 28, 2012

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately? Together most of the time, but sometimes Neeka doesn't come on our morning walk because she's too lazy.

2. What about training? Lil bit of both. When we're doing tricks that need two dogs, I work with them both at the same time, but most of the time I alternate between them.

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors? I usually have the other dog with me, but I just ignore them and focus on the problem dog.

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other? They know 'go mat' so one of them waits their turn on their mat until I'm ready to switch. Then I call them and send the other dog to the mat. They know the drill- when I pull the treats out at the start of a practice they both lie on their mats and wait to be called.

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans? Both of my dogs are trained by me because my mom has no interest in training them, but they're walked by both of us.

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Chowgal

· #10 · Jul 28, 2012

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately? Both. I often walk Jasper, Dixie, and Todd together, and sometimes I add my brother's puppy into the group. Other times, I walk them individually. Just depends on how I feel that day.

2. What about training? The only ones I even attempt to train together are Dixie and Jasper. Todd gets his individual time, and so does my brother's puppy.

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors? I work one on one when it comes to behavioral issues.

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other? I usually either crate the others when I'm working with one, or have the others outside away from us.

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for examplehusband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get trainingfrom both humans? Jasper, Dixie, and Todd only get trained by me, but everyone in the house knows their commands and are listened to when they give one of the dogs a command.

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luvmyfurballs

· #11 · Jul 28, 2012

guitarguy said:
Just a little poll about how you all handle the multiple dog household.

1. Do your dogs walk together or seperately?

2. What about training?

3. What about working on "problem" behaviors?

4. What do you do with one dog when you're working 1-on-1 with the other?

5. What about multiple handlers? Does each dog have their own handler (for example husband handles one dog, wife the other) or do both dogs get training from both humans?

We usually go for walks together, although I can tell our new adopted buddy that we pick up tomorrow whoo is going to need some extra work/exercise so I'll probably take him out alone as well.

Both of our dogs have always gotten training practice together and alone, working on different things.

I haven't had to work on many behavior issues in a while, but our new fella is going to have to learn how to chill because he's very (friendly) reactive and doesn't know how to greet people calmly. What do you guys suggest to do with our other dog when we work with him? Crate is probably the best bet, although it'll probably be a distraction becuase he'll be a bit annoyed and may whine a little knowing we're playing in the next room. Very excited to try the LAT game with him and also work on rewarding by staying calm while moving closer to a trigger from a distance.

For the most part I'm the one handling the dogs. My wife will work with them occasionally too but not all that much. I'm trying to get her to work on her timing more!! :redface:

I have 3 dogs. Most of the time I walk them separately, sometimes two of them, and when I'm feeling real brave I take all three. My 8 yr old samoyed mix hasn't had any formal training, the 2.5 yr old golden retriever finished 4 obediences classes, and the 10 month old german shepherd has finished almost 4 classes(still going). At home I train all three in a group and then work on them separately, I usually go outside for the one on one. The oldest one has learned everything the younger ones know. None of them have any problem behaviors, so that does lighten up the load. I do most of the training, but my son has gotten more involved with the german shepherd. He does work with all of them every now and then. I can't complain, all three have free run of the house and its still standing when I get home

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Luann Combs

· #12 · Jul 28, 2012

Your post gives me a lot of hope to keep going. My goal is to go on pack walks with both dogs, we aren't at that level just yet. We will get there though. I never dreamed that it would become such a hobby.

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