• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Tips for training multiple dogs

Posted September 1, 2017

By Karen A. Soukiasian

Have you noticed there has been an increase in multiple dog families? With that come added joys, laughs, challenges, and questions. A frequent question dog trainers are asked is, “Should I train them separately or together?”

You need to know your dogs, before you can form a plan as to which would be the best way to train them. Dogs often respond according to their status in their pack. Just because one dog is deemed alpha, does not mean they are the smartest, nor most compliant. However, to show respect, there are times a subordinate dog will hold back, even though they’ve grasped the command quicker than the leader.

Dogs learn by association, repetition, and most importantly consistency. The single greatest mistake most inexperienced dog owners make, is failing to be consistent. Your inconsistency confuses your pet, which makes training more difficult and time consuming.

Another important consideration when training multiple dogs is how biddable each dog is. It has nothing to do with the dog’s intelligence. Biddable means how willing they are to please you. Some breeds are inherently more compliant than others. There are certain breeds and there are individual dogs that do require more work than others do.

Should I Train Together, Train Separately or Both?

When working with more than one dog, it is important to understand each will learn at his or her own pace. One dog may comprehend a particular command faster than another may. This doesn’t necessarily make one dog smarter than the other. They may be more biddable. If that’s the case, expect to spend separate training time, with the less biddable dog. You may have to experiment with a number of different methods, to find just the right way to get their attention and proper response.

What you will notice is once Dog #1 comprehends a command, and effortlessly responds; and Dog #2 sees, and associates the compliant dog was rewarded immediately, Dog #2 will often “copy” Dog #1. It’s a sort of “monkey see, monkey do” thing. When that happens, challenge them to see which one follows the command the fastest and smoothest. Immediately reward in the order they responded.
The “copycat” behavior is most obvious when you have a number of well-trained dogs, and a single untrained dog working together. When the handler gives the command to “sit” and the trained dogs respond immediately and are rewarded immediately, in the order in which they sat; it usually doesn’t the untrained dog long to grasp the concept.

Another point to consider, each dog would like to think he or she is special. Working them apart from the others could make them more focused and compliant; as now they have your undivided attention. Put the other dog or dogs where they cannot be a distraction, and give each dog some one-on-one time. You may be pleasantly surprised how they respond, because you made them feel extra special.

Bottom line: You are the undisputed leader of your pack. To maintain control over your pack whether you are training them, playing with them or walking them you must always maintain a leadership demeanor. Being fair, firm, and consistent are the keys to successful dog training. It may also be helpful to enroll in a local obedience-training class, that applies positive reinforcement, punishment-free methods. It’s a terrific way for you to gain the confidence and experience you will need to be the leader your dogs want to follow.

Want more training tips? Learn to walk multiple dogs.

Follow Karen A. Soukiasian on Facebook

Save

Save

Save

Related Posts

  • Pet-care business. Consider starting a business walking multiple dogs
    Tips for walking multiple dogs

    Before walking multiple dogs, begin by training each dog to…

  • dog fetch home alone
    Dog training: Stop dog chasing

    Stop dog chasing by eliminating temptation and by training your…

  • dog training german shepherd
    Get the right results from dog training

      Getting a pet is a great way for a…

  • dog training success
    10 rules for dog training success

    For dog training success, use positive reinforcement, punishment-free training. Reward…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Dog training tips

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

WaterPit bullRescue dogPet parentsSmall dogsRottweilerValentine's DayPawTicksPotty trainingPuppy kindergartenSocializationPomeranianPet sitterService dogsVeterinarianSheddingtraining tipsPoodleSeparation anxietyOld dogsOutdoor activitiesThanksgivingVacation dog careTwo dogsWorking dogsPetfinder.comPuppy-proofYorkshire terrierPandemic

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]
  • Dog fears: 10 ways to fight separation anxiety
    Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog fears. Use our 10 steps to help your dog become more confident and overcome her fear of being left alone. […]
  • Is amoxicillin safe? What antibiotic is most effective for dogs?
    Consult your vet before giving your dog antibiotics. Know when your dog needs medication and watch for allergic reactions. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more