As some of you know, I have four dogs, an old Lab, two Chi's and an almost 10 month old Dobe pup. I'm of course working the most as far as training goes with the youngster. He has some specific training times where we practice heeling and other things, usually two, one during our walk with the distractions of the other dogs....practice recall etc and again in the afternoon by himself. My problem.....and would appreciate any input is that during the time where we're all inside the house, just doing daily stuff, it would be nice to be able to reward Lyric for good behavior using a clicker or even just treats. As it is, of course I tell him how good he is (when he is) but I can't even pick up the clicker or all the dogs come running, ready for treats and get in the way. I'd like to be able to practice his long down....just him, with the other dogs around as he's pretty much ready for that distraction if they don't come rushing up to him, but when I go to give him a treat, the other dogs rush in there. I can seperate them....put the other dogs else where, however, my desire is to be able to catch things periodically, through the day, not just at specific training times.

One thing Lyric still does, although he's getting a lot better, is pesters the other dogs, noses them, wants to play. The Lab hates it. I tell him, "leave it." But he is stubborn on this. So when he stops, I'd like to be ready with the clicker and/or treats to really let him know, that is GOOD. I do say "good leave it" and pat him, but I think he needs more of a payoff to work for. There are problems with the use of treats, but on the other hand, they seem to make things go faster sometimes.

Or another behavior thing is the pushiness when I'm cooking. "AWAY!" I say. I'd like to be able to click and treat when he steps back. No can do.....all the little monkeys are hopping around. I have been praising him, and it helps, but I think in his case, a food reward really solidifies things... it really sinks in....this is at first. Later we can intermittently phase out.

I like to call him from time to time, just to practice his come and sit. I don't want to have to put the dogs away every time I want to just do one or two commands.

Do I just try and train them all at the same time? Jose and Chulita do a nice long down when I have company eating at the table. But that's the only place I really have them do it so I'm not so sure about other times. I really havent' done as much with them. They're just so small, they don't get in the way much. It's hard to train them all at once because Lyric's down stay is better than Jose's much of the time. So, if Jose jumps up but Lyric stays, I can't reward Jose, but want to reward Lyric...then Jose can't figure out why he can't have a treat. And he noses on into Lyric and messes up his down/stay. Do you see the dilemma? A-r-r-r-g-g-g-unless I seperate them. I just would like to do things with him off and on all the time. Sorry this is so long again. G-r-r-r-r....can't seem to express myself very well.

Is this just something one has to accept when having multiple dogs or is there another way that I haven't thought of. I've never had this many dogs all at one time before....two was the most I ever had before at a time.

Carrie

As a thought, is there any way a small hole could be put in the clicker so that a ring could be put on it? I'm thinking about the possibility of hanging it around your neck rather like a gundog whistle.

Best wishes, John

Why not create an alternative to the click or make it sound different and use it just for Lyric.

I am doing some of my training with Maverick (3.5 years) and her daughter Toxic (12 weeks) both present and I either ignore the one I am not teaching/working with or give her something she can be rewarded for after I have the specific response I want from the first one.  Toxic seems to be learning some responses from Maverick which is the only reason I am doing this, most serious training is done on a one to one basis.

Why Lyric leaves your Lab why not try playing "tuggy" or "fetch" with a ball on a string that you can keep in your pocket just for this purpose, with him for a few seconds as a reward instead of a treat ?

When I want to be able to reward one dog in a multi-dog situation I say the specific dog's name, very clearly, before giving any commands and then just praise or reward that one dog for complying.

I bought a lot of clickers when I had my pups recently and gave some to the new owners and have the others scattered around the house and in varous pockets so I nearly always have one within a few feet of me.  Once I have clicked they know they don't always get a treat immediately but it will turn up soon.

Love your dobe pups name Kerioak, but why Toxic?

Hmm, perhaps Kerioak is a closet Britney Spears fan? ;)

My oldest dog is called Hazard and since the death of Fennel she has suddenly got old, the names Hazard and Toxic seem to go together and as it suits the pup that is what we have called her :)

What has Britney Spears got to do with Toxic?

Kerioak - she released a song of that name recently. :D

Re the cooking problem - is there a bed in the room he can be asked to go to?  It's sometimes easier to give a dog a specific command rather than a general one.....

Thank you all for your ideas. I have tried that ignoring the other ones and just speaking to Lyric, but I'm so afraid I'll hurt the other ones feelings if I don't give them a treat too. LOL. See? Miss El Stricto has her soft spot too. I like that idea though. Then I don't have to worry about confusing anyone as long as they do understand that this time it's just Lyric I'm asking something of.

Yes, John....I could hang that around my neck I suppose. Then the dogs would get used to it jiggling and wouldn't get so excited every time I picked it up. But of course, when I clicked, they'd be sure I was talking about something they were doing. A-r-g-g.

Keriok, I think that sounds like a great idea....an individual sound for each dog? Wow, so you think they'll catch onto that pretty well? That sounds really cool! Thanks for the idea.

Digger, yes, I suppose I should just have him lie down on the rug by the door. He's still not very solid on his down stay when he smells good things or thinks he's missing out on somthing. I'll have to work more on it. He does great when there's nothing better going on. LOL. of course. But I think you've got something there.....a more specific thing for him to do rather than just that unclear "away." That doesn't really tell him where away is does it.

Thanks all!

Carrie

I have the same problem and I harden my heart and ignore those who have not been asked to do something. If I want to train something new I go to a different room and shut the door. If you have taught the others sit stay then put them in a sit stay and reward them for that, after a few days you should be able to get them to sit stay long enough for you to work with the young one.

Yes, that's something that can be done. I do kind of do that with the others....sit/stay, but they need more practice on their own. They do it, but aren't very solid when I'm handing out homemade liver treats to the other...then they jump up to get some. The little dogs are a little spoiled and the Lab stays easily where she is. She's an old hand at it.

But the hardening of the heart.....I was one of those Moms who, when it was one child's birthday, I had to get the other children some small present too. It was just too hard to watch them see the birthday child getting ALL the good stuff. LOL.

Carrie

When you get the treats out to reward one and the others are in a sit/stay give the command again just before  and then reward them for obeying you. They are still getting treats but on your terms. To be honest i can't give one without giving to the other so if im training one i'll give the other one a command i know he can do so he thinks he training too. :D

Dogs do accept that a particular treat is not for them, so don't worry about their feelings, after all when you are handing out tablets they don't all get one.