How to train multiple dogs at once?

The first challenge when training more than one dog at once is timing—you need to reward correct behavior at the exact moment it occurs. The second challenge is distractions. Separate the Dogs, at least when they’re learning the fundamentals like sit, down, or stay. Work with only one dog at a time and place the other dog(s) in a different room or in their crates. While you focus on the working dog, give the other dogs something to do, so they don’t fuss or feel resentful. Keep your training session short by making it something you can accomplish in less than 10 minutes. Once you’re finished with the first dog, swap them out for another dog. Repeat until all of your dogs have received their one-on-one training time. You can also take your dogs on individual walks to train outside the house. Use a Leash or Tether, it’s not always possible to separate your dogs, keeping the dogs tethered in the same room can be helpful, alternatively, you can keep them on leash. Teach Name Recognition, once your dogs have mastered the basics, it’s time to work with them together, use your body language and make eye contact, it’s also helpful to teach your dog to recognize their name, then use it before any cue. Try Station Training, with this technique, you give each dog their own station or area to relax in while you work with one dog at a time.

When I teach a dog a new behavior, I work with that dog alone. I take the dog out of his working environment, away from the sight of his partner, and use a clicker and treats so that it is easy for the dog to learn what I am trying to teach him. Once the new behavior is learned I can ask for it and reward for it in the company of the dog’s partner as long as both dogs are paid. The dog I am looking at knows I am asking him for something. When I get the behavior I asked for, I use my verbal marker word “Yessss” to let the dog know he got it right. Then I get a treat in EACH hand, in my closed fists. I place my hands close together right in front of the noses of the dogs, right in front of me. In the beginning, I may need to repeatedly put my fist right in front of each dog until their noses are side by side. When the noses of both dogs are together, I draw them away from each other using the lure of my closed fists with a treat inside. Once the dogs are my arm’s length away from each other, and the dogs are calm and focused on my hands and not each other, my hands open and each dog gets a treat. What am I rewarding the second dog for???? Well, if that dog is looking at me, or sitting near us, or standing quietly nearby, he is giving me behaviors I can reward for; these are behaviors I want to see more of! If you load your pockets with tasty things before you go out to do your daily chores it is easy to grab a few seconds here and there to reinforce good behavior.

To train multiple dogs at once, teach new commands one dog at a time. Take Dog A and teach sit, or heel or insert whatever command here, and then Dog B separately. Once they both have got something down pat, then do tandem. Insist on obedience, with a clear routine for feeding time, coming in the house, going outside etc. and insist on manners. Dogs can sit/stay/release for their food, wait/release at the door and get called independently to go in or out and sit politely to get leashes on or get toys thrown or get a special bone or treat. For highly trained dogs, you can do mat stays while working with the other dog. For beginners, you would utilize the crate or a pen. Have a routine for workdays and non-workdays, the dogs knew what to expect and you could plan accordingly. Respect the natural hierarchy, dogs have fluid hierarchies, and don't force one dog to defer to another. Decide where you want each dog to walk, each dog should know where they are expected to walk.

My little girl is learning well, she took a little time but since she has picked stuff up, she hasn’t turned back and her obedience is great. She always comes back when I call her, stops when I say no. Don’t get me wrong, she will try and get away with things but if I tell her no or stop, she listens. One of the biggest problems I am having is recall, girl is great, comes when called, even if I interrupt playing or something interesting. If she comes to me, he will follow but never come of his own accord. It is really hard to teach him when she is doing so well. I give her praise and not him but he doesn’t seem to care. Has anyone got any tips on how to progress his training without hindering hers??