How to manage a multi-dog household?

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 if it’s not always possible to separate your dogs. Tethers and leashes also allow you to control which dog is getting rewarded for a given behavior while training two dogs at once. 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, and 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. Rotate among the dogs so each one gets a chance to be “the center of attention.”

We need to be intentional about creating harmony for multi-dogs in our homes for everyone’s comfort and safety. If you live with more than one dog or want to live with more than one dog, this episode is for you. What needs to change when your household becomes multi-dog. How I intentionally set my dogs up for success. What disrupts multi-dog harmony.