Training ideas for a *temporary* multi-dog household

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
I'm looking for help with training ideas, particularly from those of you with multi-dog experience and experience of introducing new dogs to established dog households.

In July (a mere 10 weeks away...) we're going to be looking after my mum's two labs for 10 days while she's away. We're planning an interim trial weekend in the next few weeks. We haven't done this before; my mum's older, settled dog Jambo has been to stay a number of times but not for a couple of years. I think Jambo will settle easily, but I'm keen for all the dogs to be as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible. [Now I write this, it feels like wishful thinking...]
The challenge: Zorro is a lively, anxious adolescent dog who is very high energy with new people and new situations - lots of barking, mouthing, jumping. He hasn't been to our house before, as I've been very cautious of Kipper's comfort and the risk of exacerbating Kipper's lameness with high tempo activity. Kipper finds Zorro very full on, and Zorro fixates on Kipper, jumps all over him and mouths his muzzle until he is stopped. Our house is not big, but we've identified 2 rooms which we'll establish as Kipper's safe havens behind baby gates where he won't be bothered. Our garden's not big either, so not much room for zoomies or partitioning. There's only one doorway out to the garden. Jambo is not great at turn taking and destroys toys if left with them.

Our #1 priority is safety for everyone, in the house and out of it. I am also very keen to minimise Kipper's discomfort, and make the visit as relaxed as possible :|

So far: I've had a few short 1:1 sessions with Zorro to get him used to the boot of our car, which initially he was scared of. He's now easy in getting in and out, and we're building duration with the boot open. Zorro is very food-orientated, and has a very low threshold for waiting/turn taking. He is incredibly eager to please, and responds strongly to positive attention. He's not great at settling, particularly in the face of novelty - he tends to get immensely excited when he sees me, which leads to a lot of over-threshold behaviours.

What I'm after: exercises or practices I can do in relatively short bursts (10 mins away from home, or ~1 hour visits to our home?) to help prepare all 3 boys for successfully cohabiting in 10 weeks' time.
Ideas would be particularly welcome on:
- Training calmness in short bursts
- managing space when I can't accurately predict how the dogs will behave
- avoiding conflict around resources/entrances & exits
- reinforcing multiple dogs when there is no/little established dynamic
- multi-dog activities (in a relatively small garden!) to help establish & reinforce patience/turn taking/calmness
 
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Sorry cannot think of anything. I did have three dogs at one point but of course they eventually stayed with me for ever. I don't remember much of a problem when I introduced my rescue dog. They quite enjoyed doing sit/stays, and I would call one past the other in a line and then the one at the back would be called to the front and then the one again at the back would be called forward past the other two.
 

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Thinking back to when I had Sky and young Red - the best thing we did was establish 3 times in the day they would ‘go to their mat’ and have a frozen kong each. This meant 3 chunks of time when it was quiet and they were occupied meaningfully. We had quite a structured day - mealtimes, walk time, playtime, quiet/sleep/rest time etc - one that still exists despite only one dog - but it helped a lot as they knew what was happening next. Sky used to have her designated space away from Red for quite a long time although they eventually became good buddies and wanted to be together all the time.

I think you are brave and kind having your mum’s two dogs for 10 days - I hope it all goes well.
 
You have some of the Absolute Dogs resources, right? You can use their boundary games with mutliple dogs, and it doesn't really take an awful lot of training to get a basic understanding of them staying on their individual platforms until called off. The key is to switch them out regularly ( every few seconds to start with) so that they get the idea that their time is coming. Make the release for something awesome - like the throw of a ball - so that they are really looking forward to the release but don't want to break because it's the release that gives them the chase. I've always been surprised how quickly my lot have picked it up, and it really reinforces their stay-amongst-distractions. You obviously need a VERY high RoR to start off with - at least as much food for the dogs who are staying on their beds as the one who is getting off.

For small spaces in potentially high energy environments eg around food or readying for walks, your best bet is probably physical barriers and bringing them through calmly one at a time.

For teaching reinforcement routines, the easiest way to start is simply by saying the dog's name before you give a treat. You can do this for a couple of minutes multiple times a day. The key thing to look for is that you say the name before you start moving your hand with the treat towards the dog. Mix up the order you use.

And, yeah, boundary games, boundary games, boundary games. It's magic :D
 

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Roger wilko, these are excellent responses. Thank you! @Jelinga , I like the sound of your’ forward in order’ game, it conjures a lovely mental image. And @Atemas , you’re very kind to say so - I agree that boundaries and managing space is key, especially for the young enthusiasts!
@snowbunny , you’re bang on - I was mistily groping towards boundary games but hadn’t quite clicked. You’ve made it really clear, and I can see that an extremely high RoR is needed early doors as well as short sessions. I’ve made a start with using names before treating, so I’ll sharpen my mechanics and consistency to help with that.
I’ve also booked a zoom call next week with a super trainer to talk through ideas and exercises, so I feel I’ve got firm plans to put into action now. Thanks again friends, I knew I could count on you!
 
I’ve made a start with using names before treating, so I’ll sharpen my mechanics and consistency to help with that.
I’ve also booked a zoom call next week with a super trainer to talk through ideas and exercises, so I feel I’ve got firm plans to put into action now.
I can’t add anything except I hope it all goes well. I’ve had multiple dogs staying in the past and it’s been fine. I worried a bit about Wispa being a bit over-enthusiastic, but in fact she’s always been excellent with other dogs on her own territory. Baby gates and establishing a pecking order for treats etc are a great help!
 
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