Course Details
Multiple dogs can create some interesting training challenges! This class is designed to give you the tools to make a multi dog household a peaceful and productive place. In this class, we will cover group mentality, assessing and picking the right dogs to work with depending on the situation, how to spot issues before they become a problem and how to layer challenges (adding dogs, working in more distracting environments etc).
Also covered:
Different games used to teach dogs to "wait their turn".
How to properly introduce new members of the group.
Group Management (how and when).
NOTE: This class will NOT cover aggression cases, or resource guarding. This class is to PREVENT these issues.
The goal with this class is for you to have a plan to make your multi-dog household peaceful and controlled, while still having a ton of fun!
Teaching Approach
There will be concept lectures that include both video demonstration and verbal descriptions of the exercises. Lectures are released each week in one batch at the beginning of the week. The ability to read and react to your dog is needed and you can learn a lot about that in this class. Creative thinking is for sure an asset, but there is plenty of instruction to guide you through the exercises.
There is a natural progression to the skills and exercises that is consistent for every team, but everyone works at their own pace. Some modifications can be made depending on the dog's needs. Watching the Golds in this class will also give you a lot of different ways to adapt.
You may have to bend down to reward, but there will be no running or fast movements required.
Please remember this class is not for aggressive dogs or severe resource guarding issues. Due to the complex nature of these things and liability, those issues should be addressed with soneone in person.
Feedback will be typed with time-stamps.
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Syllabus
Week 1: Understanding common issues with multiple dogs.
Dog assessment and understanding of group mentality
Discussing how to communicate separately to each dog when in the entire group
"Take Your Turn" Game!
Week 2: Door Manners
What IS normal?
Understanding "Layering of Challenges"
Week 3: Understanding "Pinch Points" and areas of conflict.
Feeding Rituals
Introducing dogs to the group.
Beginning Management: When and How
Week 4: But why does my dog do that?
Learning to Share Resources
Threshold Issues Within The Group
Adding more Layers, Adding more dogs.
Understanding the Hierarchy of Important Behaviors
Week 5: Dangerous situations and how to avoid them.
But my dog does this great when he/she is by themselves??
Working through thresholds/Proper Understanding "Is My Dog In Over Their Head?"
Week 6: Management options and when to know it is time.
Preventing issues before they start
"Your Turn" game
Where do we go from here?
Prerequisites & Supplies
Rewards (Food And/Or Toys)
Baby gate or xpens
Leashes
Remote trainers can be very useful in this class
Sample Lecture
Realistic Expectations of Multiple Dog Households:
What is your ideal, utopic picture of a multi dog household? Many will say, all dogs getting along in complete harmony, without any squabbles or disagreements. But is that reality?
When the realities of what a multi dog household is, are not the same as our expectations, it can be frustrating to say the least. We can get overwhelmed with all that is happening, instead of approaching it from a step-by-step point of view. SO I think it is important to really understand: What are the realistic expectations of a multi dog household?
Arguments/Squabbles: Is a multi dog household free from squabbles amongst dogs? My response to this is, when you lived with your family, or roommates, did you ever have disagreements? I am fairly confident that you are going to say yes. Sharing space with other dogs, sharing resources with other dogs (beds, kennels, toys, people, etc) can cause some "discussions". But realistically what is normal for multiple dogs? Believe it or not, GROWLING happens, so does some showing of teeth. It is normal canine behavior!
Compatible Temperaments: Do all the dogs in the household get along? Chances are...not as perfectly as many people think! Do you love every person you meet? I am willing to bet you are shaking your head NO. This is the same with dogs. Some dogs, like people, have very happy-go-lucky attitudes, they enjoy group time (extroverted), they love everyone! Then you have other dogs, who are social to a limit (introverted), are more selective who they enjoy for company and need time away from the pack to recharge. There is nothing wrong with either one of these dogs, they are just who they are. The key is to provide each dog with what they need to be happy and content. For example...giving your dog that is less social, a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of their roommates.
Understanding these key areas where many realities do not need expectations, is the key to understanding the dogs in your household. Knowing what each dog needs to feel comfortable is of utmost importance. Then matching your training to each individual dog, BEFORE adding in other dogs to the mix.
Testimonials
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
I really like this class, and we got from this class much more than I expected. I can train one dog in front of the other one, without other dog going 'crazy'!! I didn't think it would be ever possible :)
Thank you Loretta! I just wish I took this class *before* bringing 2nd dog home :)
Thanks to Loretta for sharing her knowledge of managing multiple dog households. I just got my third dog and she helped me set up an environment for success.
Loretta has a great eye and offers common sense dog training. She is always helpful to the individual team and their challenges. I always come away with great tips.
I loved her style of interacting with everyone. Very supportive. Multidog issues are so stressful.
I wish I could have participated at Gold for Loretta's insight into my two dogs' situation but even at bronze the class has helped immensely!
