Pirate & Quest in a down-stay.
The training facility where I take my dogs for obedience training has a class for people who live with more than one dog. It is called "Feeling Outnumbered". It is a wonderful class with many helpful instructions.
Some of the things she tells us to watch for are controlling behavior toward other dogs or humans. She teaches us that WE CONTROL ALL things. "My house, my furniture, my rules". Our first exercise was regarding the front door. My dogs get excited and they rush the door, trying to push each other and me aside. Following Julie's rules I stepped into the circle around the door and announced, sternly: "This is MY door. I own this door. You back up and sit." Everyone immediately backed up and sat down with expectant looks on their pretty faces.
I reached for the door handle and they rushed me again. I let go of the handle and stepped into them and said "BACK". This time they backed up faster and sat politely tilting their heads while I lectured them about door ownership. It took a few times, but eventually I opened the door and not a sole stood up until I released them. Wow! That was not difficult at all. I could see that it was just going to take consistency - one of my weak points.
My next endeavor was exiting the car. Journey was awful about that. I finally had purchased a small double ended cable that I snapped to a load securing ring in the back of the wagon. That worked, but it was not the way I wanted to control their exit from the car. This is such an important safety issue I wanted to be sure they understood it. Quest and Pirate were good, but Journey was awful. Since Spirit was no longer in the passenger seat to make the others stay in the back, they were all rushing forward as soon as I began to open the driver's door. This problem was a little harder to work through than the house door issue.
I finally got it across to them that no one was getting out of the car until I called their name and gave them a release command. I am sorry to say I did not always maintain my cool. A few times I used the mail I had picked up and smacked a dog who tried to rush me. (Julie did not teach us that), but I don't always have Julie's patience and I justified it by telling myself it was such an important safety issue I needed to emphasize it.
Well, it has taken a few weeks but today when we got home from Nose Sport class all three boys sat nicely, even though poised to spring, and did not make a move toward the door. I even tested them a little by saying their names .... without the release word. I watched their muscles twitch when I spoke their names. Bottoms stayed touching the car seats. Then as I called each name and spoke the release word, each dog obediently exited the car. I am sure my grin must have been from ear to ear. "YES". This is what I have been working for all along.
Next, we learned about being fair. "Observe your behavior with all your dogs. Treat each dog as an individual. Let them learn to cope with not always getting what they want. Teach them that self control and patience gets them the things they want. Example: One dog tears up the house when left loose when you are gone, not all dogs should be confined, only the one that is tearing up the house. Example: when one dog gets a pill in a hot dog, not all dogs get a hot dog." GUILTY. In our house one pill resulted in four bites of liverwurst. I am working on this one.
Teach your dogs a group name. "Boys" and some group commands, such as "enough" or "stop" or another word. This might be used for barking that you want to stop.
Stay calm with your dogs. If you are not calm, they will not be calm. Remember, "YOU CONTROL ALL THINGS". Right, I repeat this affirmation to myself, often.
I'm good mom but Quesy snuck out on the deck.
We practice each dog individually waiting for his food bowl. I release each dog to eat his food when he looks at me.
Teach "wait" to each dog individually first. Face your dog with your body between the dog and the door. Use your body to control the dog. When dog approaches the door, walk toward the dog, body block if the dog tries to dart around you. When the dog is about 4 feet from the door say "wait". Partially open the door. Block with your body if dog tries to bolt through the door. If this does not work, pick yourself up and try again.
If the dog tries to bolt before you give permission, body block the dog or close the door. (Try not to slam the door on the dog). Back the dog away from the door. Try again. Do not block the door, step to the side, so the dog can choose to "wait" or charge the door.
When at last the dog waits, step through the doorway and release the dog by saying the dogs name. The dog only gets released through the door when the dog stops trying to bolt through it. The reward is the dog goes outside, no treat is necessary.
After each dog is consistent and hesitates or backs up away from the door when you say "wait", without having to body block the dog, you may start with two dogs at a time, etc. Teach all the dogs to be polite. Trouble with aggression often begins at the door. Waiting at the door is one way to prevent door aggression.
Body blocking is a good technique to use, especially when working multiple dogs. Examples of when to use this: when a dog gets up from a stay; at doors; something is on the floor that you want the dog to leave alone; when a dog is controlling any other dog or humans movements; or if a dog tries to jump on you when you are sitting or standing. Advantages of using body blocking: you can use it anywhere, anytime; it prevents having dog's only responding when on a leash; they will not avoid your hands when reaching for them, which happens when you use the collar to control them.
Teaching dogs manners at dinner time. We are OK on this one.
I'm good mom but Pirate went to get his Jolly ball.
Sharing attention. All dogs need to learn how to handle watching another dog get attention or treats. The idea is for the dog to learn that it is fun to watch you give another dog attention because it means good things will happen. Right! Just takes practice, alternating between dogs while they stay in their spot. Journey believes that his spot is in my lap. From there he is content to watch the other dogs get attention. We will be working on this.
To be able to train each dog individually, other dogs should be able to be alone in another room or crate. Teach this as a game. Toss treats into a room; dog goes in and gets treats and comes out. Do not shut door. Do this five times in a row, for 3-5 days.
Next toss treats in and start to swing door shut for a second after dog is in, then open it. Repeat for several sessions. Toss a stuffed Kong or other toy with treats in it, into the room. Close the door and while it is shut let the dog spend some time eating the goodies. Do this several times a day for a week.
Begin leaving the dog for longer periods of time with a stuffed kong or other stuffed toy to keep him busy. Make sure to use treats the dog really likes. Walk away for 30 seconds, return before dog is done, open door, take away the toy. He gets this stuffed toy only when you are gone. Gradually increase the time your dog is left in the confined area. Choose times when the dog is relaxed and most likely to take a nap. Once dog can stay for five minutes, increase the interval more quickly to 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours.
Sheets of plastic can be screwed to lower half of doors. They might prevent having to resurface or replace doors which are horribly scratched - like mine.
Pirate used to be fine with separation until we lost Spirit. I don't think it is because he does not have confidence in Quest as leader. He just no longer seems comfortable with me taking one dog and leaving the other two, if one of those two is him. We are working on this!
At the last class Quest & Pirate were the class stars. I placed them both in a sit stay and stepped about 20 feet away. I then directed one to "down", while the other held the sit-stay. Then I reversed them. Next I called one, reminding the other to stay. I sent him back and called the other one while leaving one. They were perfect! I was so proud of them.
Our last exercise was to walk with both dogs, (one on either side) to about 15 feet from the instructor. Then I had one dog sit and sent the other to greet the instructor. I sent Pirate first. As he left to see Julie (the instructor), Quest whimpered excitedly, but he held his stay. Pirate returned to me and sat and I sent Quest. He lingered a little (he really likes Julie) but he returned to me like a good boy and sat at my side. They could not have done it any better. This merited a LOT of treats and praise. They were wonderful. My hope is to someday perform this with all three. I actually believe we can do it. This is such a wonderful class. I have never seen it offered before and it is especially good for people who like to take their dogs out, or have them politely greet guests.
OK we are all here. Take the picture fast!
