Training two together

[twright1231]

I’ve been working very hard with both boys on basics, and we are all doing pretty well, but we’re coming to a hurdle when it comes to distractions. I think it’s time for some formal training.
Mike’s schedule is such that I cannot count on him to attend with me, but I’d like to work with both boys at the same time, so that they are on the same pace. Does it ever work out to take two to training with only one handler? I think that would be difficult.
I guess I could enroll in two separate classes, or even just one class and alternate taking each one every other week, if that would be allowed. Has anyone dealt with this?

 

[Capri]

We train several dogs at the same time. Just put the other dogs on a sit-stay / down-stay (a good exercise for the others, makes their stays VERY good), OR just concentrate on one while training while others can continue their run in the forest. You can use the other dogs as poles for your heeling work too . The dogs learn pretty quickly that unless they hear their name with the command when we're training like this, they don't have to pay attention, but just continue with what they're doing.

I also handle two dogs regularly at waterwork in the water at the same time. Works just like in ground obedience. i.e. the other can go get the boat, while the other gets the drowner etc.

I would enroll in two separate classes, because training every two weeks is not a lot.

I couldn't imagine taking two to one class and changing the dog between exercises, because that would just be too much of a hassle.

 

[twright1231]

I do work with them separately in the yard, while the other watches from the screened in porch. Separately they do very well. And together in the yard, they also do well. We run into trouble when I take them for a walk together. They become very distracted, excited, by what's going on around them and they seem to have forgotten all training. And if another dog is in the area, I'm in trouble. It's tough to handle 300+ lbs at the end of the leash!

 

[Capri]

It means that you're taking a step too fast going into public places to train them together. First they have to know how to behave when they're alone with you in public places, only after that can you expect them to behave when they're together (in public places).

But it's a good start that you can train them in the yard while the other one is watching.

When you start going to public places, start easy, where there's not much distraction, only occasional bikers or people passing by. When they can separately tolerate the small distraction, take them to that same place together, and start training. You can tie the other dog to a tree if you can't trust that he'll have a good stay. Once you and they are comfortable training with the small distractions, take them to a new location, but with again only a few distractions (..because a new place is always a new interesting place with new smells..).

Start gradually introducing them to more and more distractions (always separately first, then together). If it starts becoming too difficult again, go back a step.

If you don't skip any steps, you'll be able to train them even at dog parks soon, and teach them perfect stays, not to be disturbed by even other dogs walking closeby .

 

[R Taft]

We do follow pretty much the same ritual as Bettina, i think that is why we get the awesome sit/stays in trials. we often have three going at the same time. But it starts slow, just like Bettina says............ I will still always go back to the dog passes dog exercise, but you do need a few people and dogs with that and it is important to keep doing it with different dogs, so that they get used to distractions. Two groups line opposite one another and you make sure that when you pass one another the dogs are beside one another facing opposite direction....Walk past, initially just try to make the dog concentrate on you. As you pass, if the dog was good, reward...walk, everyone turns about and again dog pass dog........Eventually the dogs will sit next to one another, drop beside each other, stand and even get to sit/drop/stand stays. This becomes so routine that dogs get very used to distractions of any kind. We make up lots of other distractions too, bouncing balls, kids on cycles and cats on leashes. We have even used a friends tame ferret on leash.
Also walking dogs behind one another in a large circle helps. Dogs often cope with things beside, but not behind or in front. I now often do all exercises with two dogs on my left side. Annabelle (the reliable one) on the out side and Katy on my side. It takes time to train and to be constant. I fully agree with Bettina, just keep at it and keep it all positive and fun......Good luck Ronnie

 

[twright1231]

Thanks for the help on this Ronnie and Bettina. I'll go back a step and take it a bit slower.

 

[dfwmiket]

Two at once= handful at times, very rewarding at others.
We know a thing or two about it.

 

[janices]

I don't do two in same class. They go into separate classes. Has something to do with developing their own identity away from each other. Can get too attached to each other always together.

I have 2 on different training levels, same age. One's ahead of the other by 1 class. Not much of a problem.

 

[Joan Fisher]

I think you have to have them well trained on their own first. I just enrolled Tiika and her sister Splash in a regular Novice obedience class as a brace. They will be the only brace. But Tiika already has her CD. Splash has one leg towards her CD. We're training them for brace draft so they have to be able to do brace control off-lead, too.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I never train 2 together unless I am training for a brace. They need to learn their basics individually. They need to be in separate classes. You can't focus in each one to properly train them or give a correction.

 

[twright1231]

This morning I took them on their walks separately, and it went very well. We came across other dogs on walks three times when I was with Ty, and I was able to enventually get Ty to sit and stay, on leash. Praise, praise, treat, treat, until he caught his breath a bit, then we carried on. He is so eager to please and get it right, but he is overwhelmed with excitement when he sees another dog. He just wants to play with everything that moves!

I guess I'll have to allot a bit more time in the morning, taking them separate, until they learn. More social time with other dogs probably wouldn't hurt either. Maybe they'd get it a bit out of their systems and seeing new dogs wouldn't seem so novel.

 

[R Taft]

This morning I took them on their walks separately, and it went very well. We came across other dogs on walks three times when I was with Ty, and I was able to enventually get Ty to sit and stay, on leash. Praise, praise, treat, treat, until he caught his breath a bit, then we carried on. He is so eager to please and get it right, but he is overwhelmed with excitement when he sees another dog. He just wants to play with everything that moves!

I guess I'll have to allot a bit more time in the morning, taking them separate, until they learn. More social time with other dogs probably wouldn't hurt either. Maybe they'd get it a bit out of their systems and seeing new dogs wouldn't seem so novel.

Good boy Ty, well done Ronnie