Training two dogs at once can quickly feel overwhelming. Asking one dog to stop jumping while you ask the other to sit can feel like there must be an easier way.
As a dog trainer, and the owner of two dogs, I've learned a few tricks for working with two dogs. In this post, I'll teach you how to increase your control when it comes to training two dogs at the same time.
I'll share with you a few scenarios and tips on how to teach both of your dogs leash manners, obedience and more!
Training Two Dogs at Once
1. Individualize Training
There are many variables whenever there is more than one dog present during a training session. Between each dog's personality and the owner's goals, it's impossible to cover every scenario in this post.
However, no matter what you're going through with training two dogs at once, a very good place to start is individualizing training. Separate your dogs for 5-10 minute training sessions. The Focus Game is a great way to bond with each of your dogs and work at their level!
The Focus Game : Training Exercise to Decrease Your Dog's Distractibility
The simple step of separating them will help you develop a communication system with each dog. This will increase the chance that they'll actually listen to you when their sibling is around.
If you have littermates, or dogs that are fighting this step cannot be skipped. We'll talk more about this later!
How to Train Two Dogs to Walk Together
If you want to walk your two dogs together, they will only be able to walk on a leash together as well as they walk on a leash individually.
Most dogs tend to feed off the energy of the other dog. So even if your dog has a perfect loose leash walk alone, adding another dog to your walk may encourage the other dog to misbehave.
Therefore, you have to understand how each of your dogs work independently to be able to maintain control of them on a walk.
So, the first thing you need to do is teach each dog to walk politely individually.
Related: How to Use a Slip Leash
3. Get Clear on your Vocabulary
You'll need to decide what you're going to do for commands. Do you want each dog to have the same command? So when you say "sit" both dogs will sit.
Or, would you prefer to say the dog's name and then sit, so you'd have individual control.
Lastly, you could use different words for each dog, but that tends to get messy.
Each household is different, but most dog owners find it easiest to use the dog's name followed by the command. "Max, Sit" and "Joey, Sit"
Just be sure to always use the order, "name + command" because "command + name" can get confusing to your dogs quickly.
Training 2 Puppies from the Same Litter
Question: do you (yes, you, the human reading this) have siblings? If the answer is yes, then my follow up question is, do you plan to live with them your entire life?
**this is where most dog owners laugh at the thought of spending their entire life with their siblings**
Dogs are not much different. Dogs who are siblings (or adopted together as puppies) can form attachments that are much stronger than their bond with humans. Additionally, they also develop a tendency to easily redirect towards each other. Think about it, have you ever hesitated to tell your sibling exactly what you thought with no regard for the consequences?
This is why it is not uncommon for siblings to become aggressive towards each other or even get into some serious fights with each other.
If you have 2 puppies from the same litter, it is essential that you dedicate time to separately training them. This will help to avoid serious behavioral issues down the line.
There is no limit to how much work you can do separately with your two littermates. Ideally, they'd spend a few months completely apart from one another. Resist the urge to put their crates next to each other. And definitely make sure each puppy has their own crate.
Teaching the puppies they don't need to be together 100% of the time will only help them develop into their own unique personality.
How to Potty Train Multiple Dogs At Once
Your best line of defense for potty training any dog is using a crate. The crate helps minimize the risk for your dog to have an accident. And, helps teach your dogs the daily routine.
The crate is beneficial to your dog on a few levels. The crate gives your dogs a break from each other where they learn to self-soothe and be by themselves. So, the crate helps a dog increase their ability to utilize emotional regulation skills.
Should I Train My Dogs Separately?
Yes, yes, yes! Eventually, combining them to work together will come, but your dog will appreciate the individual attention from you.
If it isn't obvious already, there's a theme of separating your dogs through this post.
Training each dog separately allows you to address individual personality, behaviors and goals. Your timing and attention won't be divided, which will set your dog up for success even more!
Training Bonded Dogs
Just like training two littermates, it's so important to build a relationship with each dog individually. Don't let shelters or breeders influence you into keep the two dogs together every second of the day.
Bonded pairs really translates to, "will blow off the owner for the other dog in an unhealthy way". So it's really, really important to help each dog develop appropriate attachment to the other dog, and more importantly, a really healthy attachment to you.
Multi Dog Household Aggression
If there is any tension between your two dogs, it's definitely time to start separating them and working with them individually. You may also want to consider chatting with a professional dog trainer who has successfully worked with inter-household aggression.
Related: My Two Dogs Keep Fighting | 7 Tips for a Peaceful Household
You will need to start recognizing the warning signs that there is tension between your two dogs - which starts long before there is growling, tuffs or full out fights.
When those signals occur, it's essential that you have the control and obedience to send a dog to place, or to ask your dog to leave it. If the dog cannot do those commands on their own, they are not going to be able to do them when they're in the heat of the moment.
Dog Training
3. Use Space
So, what's the secret to training two dogs at once? Using your space.
Once you're ready to start bringing the dogs together for training sessions, your obedience and space will be your most important tools.
If you've spent the time teaching dogs how to respect your space as well as how to relax and keep calm, then you're ready to start integrate exercises like the one in this video.
