swain Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Howdy everyone, We have 3 dogs in our house and things are getting out of control. I have never been the most "dedicated" with obedience training but something needs to be done. First issue is walking the dogs - because in the past they haven't been out on a regular basis, every time we get the leads ready to go for a walk they go mental. I know it's my own fault (no flaming please) but is there any way to settle the dogs down before we go for a walk or is it a matter of each time we go out it will get easier. To top it off one of my dogs is dog aggressive so walking her is a stressful experience anyway. Any suggestions? Also my little pom has NO obedience at all. Where do i start? Just with the sitting and staying commands? The other 2 dogs could also do with some general obedience, do you train them seperately or all together? I've always thought of myself as a "doggy person" but i'm realizing that i don't think i am - don't get me wrong i love them to bits. They are inside with us and we have cuddles etc so please don't think that they are neglected in the back yard. Any suggestions on getting started on training 3 unruly dogs would be appreciated. As i mentioned i realize it's my fault and want to change so that my furkids get the best out of their life too. No flaming please........this is sincere!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mushaka Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Hi there, IMO and im not a PRO either, they will settle with more walks. Since they are driven by the desire to walk. You could reward them with this. In the DOL training section,there is the Triangle of Temptation. This wld be a good thing to learn and a good place to start. Nice that u r giving ur dogs cuddles,..but thats for YOU not them..they dnt understand cuddles..in fact...ur probably reinforcing negative behaviours and dont even realise it. Becoming the pack leader might help your DA dog from feeling the need to be so protective as well. No need to duck for cover you will only get support here in DOL and advice. Well thats what i have found anyway! Good on you for making the effort with your dogs,so many others give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltron Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 I've been told that it can be quite difficult training multiple dogs at once, because if you are teaching one to sit, at the same time you are inadvertently teaching 2 others to ignore the command 'sit'. I have no idea how true this is though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 spend 5-10mins each night with each dog going through some basic obedience. Join a club if you can.... if not - there are some great books that will at least cover the basics. don't train the dogs together - use this as a 'special time' - ie: 2 outside/ in their crates while one with you receiving the training good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swain Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 Thanks so much for your replies! Lewis & Lyn, i hadn't thought about that reinforcing the bad behavior. As you said it makes me feel better.....maybe a bit less guilty about not walking them as often as i should. Will give the training seperately thing a go too. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 (edited) As for the excitement over seeing the lead :- This is a common occurrence because people inadvertantly teach their dog that every time he/she sees the lead it means he/she is going some where. So the lead becomes a precursor to exciting things happening and the dog anticipates it. Make a point of devalueing the lead. Pick up the lead at varying times (where the dogs can see you do so) and put it back. Pick it up and hang it around your neck and walk around with it, then put it back. Pick up the lead and put it in another spot. Take it back up and return it to its usual place. When the dogs have settled (because they've learnt there's nothing to 'anticipate' from it), then pick it up and clip it on. Then clip it off. Repeat this exercise multiple times throughout the day or whenever and as often as you can. Avoid putting the lead on your dog and going out for a walk until the dog is calm. (And I'd probably be inclined to take out the dog who was the calmest first.) When you're doing all of these 'exercises', avoid making a big fuss about it - keep everything low key and 'matter of fact'. With the little POM ..... I'd start (as I usually do with most dogs) with loose lead walking exercises. That's normally my priority. If there's no respect/understanding of the lead, then it can sometimes be difficult to attain other exercises. Definately train the dogs separately until their skills are better developed. The one who is dog aggressive needs some specialised training and in this you'd do well to get some one-on-one professional advice and coaching. Hope the above has helped to some degree. Edited July 25, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 does anyone have a dog that doesn't react to the lead???? Maybe it is coz I have inadvertently done what Erny just said, but neither of mine go spaz when I put my shoes on, grab the lead etc. They get out at least once a day and if I wasn't going to take them they would have something to say about it! ;)! I thought I just had 'weird' dogs who didnt' get excited about walks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 My dogs have learned that they need to sit still for collars and leads to go on. If they sit still, collar goes towards (and eventually on) neck. Ditto lead. If they wiggle, gear goes further away. Taught separately initially. Now they all come close to me (I don't like having to reach out) and sit and wait for the gear to go on. Trying hard not to wiggle. It's a part of the more general "you get what you want by sitting" connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swain Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 As for the excitement over seeing the lead :-This is a common occurrence because people inadvertantly teach their dog that every time he/she sees the lead it means he/she is going some where. So the lead becomes a precursor to exciting things happening and the dog anticipates it. Make a point of devalueing the lead. Pick up the lead at varying times (where the dogs can see you do so) and put it back. Pick it up and hang it around your neck and walk around with it, then put it back. Pick up the lead and put it in another spot. Take it back up and return it to its usual place. When the dogs have settled (because they've learnt there's nothing to 'anticipate' from it), then pick it up and clip it on. Then clip it off. Repeat this exercise multiple times throughout the day or whenever and as often as you can. Avoid putting the lead on your dog and going out for a walk until the dog is calm. (And I'd probably be inclined to take out the dog who was the calmest first.) When you're doing all of these 'exercises', avoid making a big fuss about it - keep everything low key and 'matter of fact'. With the little POM ..... I'd start (as I usually do with most dogs) with loose lead walking exercises. That's normally my priority. If there's no respect/understanding of the lead, then it can sometimes be difficult to attain other exercises. Definately train the dogs separately until their skills are better developed. The one who is dog aggressive needs some specialised training and in this you'd do well to get some one-on-one professional advice and coaching. Hope the above has helped to some degree. What great advise!! Thank you. Tonight i'll be picking up and putting down the lead all night..........especially if it's going to make for calm puppies. As for the loose lead exercises.....could you please elaborate a little. Not sure what you mean. I'm very much a novice. Having had dogs for years you would think i would know better. Thanks again. Awesome advise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swain Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 My dogs have learned that they need to sit still for collars and leads to go on. If they sit still, collar goes towards (and eventually on) neck. Ditto lead. If they wiggle, gear goes further away. Taught separately initially. Now they all come close to me (I don't like having to reach out) and sit and wait for the gear to go on. Trying hard not to wiggle. It's a part of the more general "you get what you want by sitting" connection. That sounds like a great idea too! Thanks!! With a bit of know how and effort i'm quite confident that i will have better behaved dogs sooner than i thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swain Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 The one who is dog aggressive needs some specialised training and in this you'd do well to get some one-on-one professional advice and coaching.Hope the above has helped to some degree. ;) As for the dog aggressive dog, i took her to a sheep herding clinic a few months back. She was a different dog (she's a kelpie x). I should explore this type of training more for her. She actually befriended another dog there. I have taken her to a behaviorist in the past but due to my slackness didn't pursue it as i should have. I think it's time to take responsibility. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 LP, my dogs couldn't care less about the lead because leads are picked up so frequently around our house that they rarely mean very much. I have recently noticed a little bit of interest in two of the dogs though, when i clip my treat pouch- not because they think they're going for a alk or gettinga treat, but more that thats a good sign i'm going to see clients and two of them usually accompany me in the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShellyBeggs Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I thought I just had 'weird' dogs who didnt' get excited about walks Yep it is weird.....I hype my dogs up before a walk so it feels more 'normal' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 As for the loose lead exercises.....could you please elaborate a little. Not sure what you mean. What I mean is to teach each dog 'leash manners' ie. that the rule about having a lead on is to not pull on it. There are a variety of ways to go about teaching this and I'm sure a search in this forum will result in an abundance of reading. I generally tend to use the "tension on lead; turn away and pop/check" method (coupled with encouragement and appropriately timed praise for giving a loose lead), but there are others who might prefer for their own reasons a different method. What method you use much depends on your dog, his/her temperament, what equipment you use and ultimately what works for your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 (edited) As for the dog aggressive dog, i took her to a sheep herding clinic a few months back. She was a different dog (she's a kelpie x). I should explore this type of training more for her. She actually befriended another dog there. Speaking generally here - IMO getting a dog working where he/she has the opportunity to apply his/her inate 'drive' to its intended use is one of the best things for stabilising a dog's temperament/mind. That and general, solid exercise. Many of the people I speak to in my work tend to tell me their dog receives plenty of attention and affection and a bit of exercise. This is fairly typical of what we humans want and need and therefore we (most often innocently) apply the same to our dogs. IMO for dogs it should be the other way around - plenty of exercise and some attention and affection. (But not to forget in between and always - providing boundaries and limitations.) I have taken her to a behaviorist in the past but due to my slackness didn't pursue it as i should have. I think it's time to take responsibility. Edited July 25, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swain Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 Erny......you are amazing!!! Thank you so much. You've given me heaps to start with!! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I have? Certainly my pleasure, Swain ;). Hope things kick-start for you to the point where the inspiration you receive from your dogs' improvements will serve as a never ending upward spiral of motivation for higher achievements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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