Simple, everyone plays nice.

Let me elaborate. People get caught up in many training ideas which have been passed down from others regarding how to interact and manage multi-dog homes. The advice often goes like this: the alpha/oldest/longest in residence dog always gets...

-Attention first
-Fed first
-First/primary access to toys/space
-To behave towards the other dogs as they wish

This is a perfect recipe for creating friction, and it’s a lot of BS. First of all, there should only be one “alpha”, and that’s you. (Not my word choice, but it’s the one often used.) Allowing any of your dogs with a stronger personality to share that personality as they see fit, is a perfect way to create friction and fights. A dog with a stronger personality is already going to be prone to bullying, allowing that will only invite stronger bullying. As for the older dog, or the dog of longest residence, same thing—no special privileges. Even if this dog doesn’t have a strong personality, allowing them to have first access to resources, and likely treating them as more special (aka spoiling), can easily create a tyrant where there wasn’t one.

Whether you’re attempting to maintain some kind of hierarchy in which the dogs “work it out”, or you’re just letting your heart and sentimentality guide you, they’re both dangerous avenues. Instead of clinging to old school notions, or emotionally-based inclinations, commit to running your multi-dog home in a smart, informed, and appropriately detached fashion.

This means you analyze the individual personalities and proclivities of each dog, and YOU ensure that all the personality pieces fit. Instead of giving special privileges which might create resentment or entitlement, or allowing behavior which might create friction and possibly fights, you demand that every dog behaves appropriately. You allow zero bullying, you correct excitement which overwhelms the other dog, you address any guarding or posturing, you keep a watchful eye on all resources and how each individual dog behaves around them, and you clearly, and unequivocally, and unapologetically...lead your home.

Every dog in the home should know exactly, 100%, without any doubt who is in charge. And if they don’t, regardless of how it comes to pass, you shouldn’t be surprised if the peace isn’t kept.

By Sean O'Shea from The Good Dog Training and RehabilitationWhile I'm a big proponent of using and leveraging the very best tools available for you and your dog to be successful, the reality is that the greatest tools in the world mean nothing if your head, heart, and energy aren't in the right place.The greatest tool you have at your disposal is always yourself. Your mind and your intention. If your emotions and outlook regarding your dog (and yourself) are out of balance, you will both likely struggle, regardless of what tools you use.If you have an out of balance dog and you're: still babying and spoiling because it feels good/fulfills your need to nurture, feeling guilty for working long hours so you only share freedom and affection when you get home, shunning structure, training and discipline because it feels yucky or un-enjoyable, being too soft with a firm dog because that's simply who you are, substituting dog relationships and connection for human relationships and connection, or using your dog to fill unattended to emotional voids and needs, you and your dog will likely still struggle.The way you feel about yourself and the world, and the way you think about your dog and his training and lifestyle is what fuels the tools and your training strategy to either be powerful and transformative, or to be superficial, unconvincing, and powerless.Whether you're aware of it or not, your human animal is having a constant, 24/7 conversation with your canine animal about who you are and what role you wish to play in his life. You cannot tell your dog 23 hours of the day that he's your little cuddle bug and that you're his doting mommy or daddy and then on your walks where he misbehaves and acts likes a monster try to tell him you are the big pack leader. :) That ones not going to work. We have to give our dogs more credit than that.Every moment is valuable. You build credit towards good behavior by creating believable leadership long before you're going to need it when the chips are down. If you want to turn behavior issues around and get your dog into an awesome space state of mind wise, you have to cultivate a believable energy, and a believable presence your dog is able to buy into and follow as an ongoing lifestyle - not just in the moments you need it or that are convenient.These awesome creatures have a special knack for highlighting and exposing our personal gaps, camouflaged shortcomings, and internal struggles. How awesome is that? You live with your very own personal therapist. :) That's the awesome challenge and opportunity of dogs: you can't fool them with tools or a momentary decision of commitment or fortitude, no, they're looking and waiting for the real stuff. Your best stuff. If you want them to change they're ready for it - just as soon as you are ready to change yourself.So remember, the tools are important, no doubt, but it's your presence, your intention, your emotional balance, your energy, your decision to treat and view your dog like a dog, your force of will and desire and determination, and the constant conversation that your human animal is having with your canine animal that fuels and empowers the tools and the training strategy to actually create the possibility for transformation and change.____CONNECT WITH US ON Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube for more training insights, tips, our free weekly Q&A Saturday, and community interaction!Our groundbreaking do-it-yourself E-Collar training video/PDF training guide Learn to Train The Good Dog Way: E-Collar Training is now available for order! Click HERE to order your copy!

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