Training 1 dog when there's 2

[mtoy]

How do you handle training 1 dog at a time when there is always another dog around? Both dogs follow me around all day. I take Link to a gated off area for formal training, but for every day around the house stuff what's the best way? Millie sees the treats and wants some too, I always sneak her some but many times she'll end up getting snarky about Link being in her way. Then I need to discipline her (bed or down, stay) and the moment is lost as far as training for Link. It's so frustrating.

[Lauren]

If I'm trying to mark a behavior as soon as I see one of them doing it I click/treat and it's over before the others can even get to me (I wear a clicker around my wrist while I'm at the house so I can mark any good behaviors that I see, yes I am a dork :CUTE: ). If I'm trying to do something like a down/stay and another of the dogs tries to interfere, well, the more the merrier they can both do down/stays. If it is something that I only want to work on one dog with then the other corgi can be in a down/stay on the sideline (Mollie has to go in her crate b/c she will not do a down/stay while I work with another dog :rolleyes: )

Do you clicker train? If so, I don't carry treats around with me all the time because if I click one of the dogs they know that they will be getting a treat so it doesn't have to be instantaneous for them to know they did a good thing.

Hope that helps,
Lauren

[CorgiMum]

If it is an actual training session, one dog is put into an separate area. I keep treats/kibble in my pockets pretty much all the time. If I want Dylan to come and Monty is already close by, I will reward him when he comes, and maybe move away from Montrose so that she came come too. Or give her a down command etc.

When both your dogs have reliable down stays, I have one stay on their 'place' to watch the training of the other dog.

The resting dog is always happy to get up after the first dog's session and show that she can do it too.:WINK:

I've used this to my advantage many times. Monty was often worried about a new command, so I would teach Dylan first, in front of her. Then it was, "Well heck if he can do it, so can I!" attitude. Make it work for you.:SMILE:

[Jespah]

You guys are giving some really good advice here, I have had a hard time in a small apartment training Jemma without the interference of the Cookie Monster! He's right in the thick of things if he thinks he could get a treat. I actually bought a clicker recently, and I am going to do some reading up to figure out what I should be doing.

[MrsGrace]

Use a clicker with 2 seperate clicks. Each dog will learn it's own click, and make sure you always use their name first. I have seen this in action and it worked fabulously. My friend would throw a ball and his dogs would just stay in their "Sit", until he called out a name... then that ONE dog would take off after the ball and the 2nd would remain in his "sit"... it was impressive stuff.

Good luck!!

[ZdogZ]

Off topic - Mrs. Grace get to posting about your new baby! We've missed you!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I bought a plain clicker, nothing fancy, but you can adjust the click. My only problem is that Miss Gambler hates the clicker, she'll run from it, even if she sees me just pick it up. She has issues, like the ones Izfro mentioned in another thread. Certain noises, tones, will set her off, always have.

[Lauren]

I bought a plain clicker, nothing fancy, but you can adjust the click. My only problem is that Miss Gambler hates the clicker, she'll run from it, even if she sees me just pick it up. She has issues, like the ones Izfro mentioned in another thread. Certain noises, tones, will set her off, always have.

Maybe you could try one of these (http://www.clickertraining.com/store/?item=traininggear), it's what I use for Mollie who doesn't like the louder click.
If you have good timing, marking it with a word works almost just as good, for me anyways.

Use a clicker with 2 seperate clicks. Each dog will learn it's own click, and make sure you always use their name first. I have seen this in action and it worked fabulously. My friend would throw a ball and his dogs would just stay in their "Sit", until he called out a name... then that ONE dog would take off after the ball and the 2nd would remain in his "sit"... it was impressive stuff.

I plan on getting this one (http://www.clickertraining.com/store/?item=traininggear) eventually. It has 4 clicks.

[MrsGrace]

I bought a plain clicker, nothing fancy, but you can adjust the click. My only problem is that Miss Gambler hates the clicker, she'll run from it, even if she sees me just pick it up. She has issues, like the ones Izfro mentioned in another thread. Certain noises, tones, will set her off, always have.

Okay, have you tried a few different things here.....

First, wrap the clicker in a sock. Muffle the sound and don't let her see it. That would be my first suggestion.

Secondly, leave the clicker in her bag of dog food. Swish it around, then lay it out for her to sniff. It'll be familiar that way, but don't click it when she can see it.

You might try buying a different softer clicker (I got an iclick and it's perfect for puppies and dogs with noise sensitivities. Plus side, it really makes them listen and pay attention for the click) and use super dooper treats for the first few sessions.

Good luck!!! Just my 2c.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

The clicker adjusts, so I can get a pretty soft click out of it. I just have to pick it up and she runs. Certain tones and noises have always set her off, don't know why, but she truly has issues. Case in point: FRASIER'S doorbell on that sitcom, it drives her nuts, she will flip out. But not other doorbells on any other show. The sock idea may actually work, because it will totally change the tone, so I'm going to try that, and what doesn't work with a Corgi when you associate it with their food??? Scenting it with her food, or even having her associate the clicking with being fed(now that's an idea) are worth a shot. Thanks for the advice.

[sutulu]

Well who knew!!!!! A whole site for clicker training and shopping! Woohoo, have to spend some more time there!

Great post by the way. I have to put one in the house and the other outside.

Looking forward to hearing what Amanda does with 4 dogs to train and work with.

Susan

[MrsGrace]

I was going to suggest the Clicker + because it doesn't just have "clicks" but other sounds as well. You don't need a "click" sound, you can use anything that is quick and to the point. Anything to act as the "marker". Remember, clicker training is all about taking a "picture" of the exact behaviour you are looking for! Doesn't matter how you mark it, word or click or squeak... just that it's something your dog will know is ONLY for doing something right!

[manymuddypaws]

That's what a couch was invented for!!! I live in a small house- so don't have a ton of room but I work my guys at least once a day in the house- All the dogs are up on the couch and I will call one- and only that one gets to play. The others have to stay on the couch...They are pretty good about it. I used to put them in the kitchen behind the gate but found they barked- on the couch they have somehow associated it as working- so there is less fuss. When I first taught this to Vito I would reward him every 10 or 12 seconds for staying on the couch- and back then he was too little to figure out how to get down! Now- he will stay put with the rest of them...Sometimes Sam gets a bit eager and will fall off the couch because he leans so far forward- hoping it will be him next. If he falls off he gets put into the kitchen- he doesn't fall off often!!!!
on a side note- all of my dogs know to release on their names- If they are in a room such as the kitchen and the gate is up and I only want ONE, then I will ask for just that dog- everyone else gets a cookie. They learn this really fast.
Also- I have four dogs- One clicker- you don't need a different clicker for each dog....half the time I can't find the ONE I am looking for, I can't imagine trying to keep four straight!
I only use the clicker to teach new things- or to improve (i.e. faster) things they know- I wouldn't do this with the other dogs participating.

I will do some things with all of them- but never teaching a new behavior or asking something that they all don't know. We do puppy push ups for breakfast as a group= Sit. Down, Sit, Down, Sit, Stand, Down- BREAKFAST! They love it and are pretty good!

oh and if Miss Gambler is afraid of the clicker on sight then you need to address that issue first- before adding the sound....I have a friend whose Jak was petrified of a clicker- and what worked for her was working the other dog with it! She was so jealous that the other dog was getting cookies and praise, and she got caught up in the other dogs excitement. It wasn't long until she was running towards the click instead of running away!!! It took a few weeks but now Jane (the jack) has no problem with it...

-Amanda

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Enjoyed your post, as usual, Amanda, and you may be onto something. Mojo has no fear whatsover of the clicker, so when I have it out and have Mojo's attention with it, Miss Gambler does indeed get jealous enough to peek in to see what she's missing, and she hates to miss anything. So maybe if I just concentrate on Mojo, and have fun with her, then MAYBE Miss Gambler will see that it's not something that's going to hurt her. And her fear is so bad that she will try and stuff herself under the bed, all that fits is her head now, but she still thinks that she's out of sight.

[manymuddypaws]

poor miss gambler....
like I said it probably will take a week or two of everyday playing with mojo but miss G's curiosity and rumbling tummy will win out eventually!!!
have fun!
-Amanda

[CorgiMum]

I bought a plain clicker, nothing fancy, but you can adjust the click. My only problem is that Miss Gambler hates the clicker, she'll run from it, even if she sees me just pick it up. She has issues, like the ones Izfro mentioned in another thread. Certain noises, tones, will set her off, always have.

Have you tried a ball point pen? Many have a much softer sound than a clicker.

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Now that is truly thinking CorgiMum!!! And I am always writing around her, she's totally used to a pen, never would have thought of that.

[CorgiMum]

Welcome, it just seemed to fit for the two of you.:WINK:

[bunnybutts]

I have been wanting to get into clicker training... we did a little bit when Chloe was in Puppy Class.

Love the idea of Puppy Push-Ups b4 Breakfast! Will start on that this morning :CUTE:

Emma has issues with some sounds too. High pitched wind chimes set her off - she will charge it and start making her deranged monkey noises (arf, arf in that combative group fight noise Chimps make). I used to have those chimes hanging with a small welcome flag - had to remove them because Emma would attack the flag! She even tugged so hard the pole bent.

Have to admit if we lost her in the house Hubby would pull out the chimes and she would come running - had to throw them away because He was having toooooo much fun with them! :LAUGH: