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Managing Multiple Dogs at the Door, Part #1
This topic is near and dear to me, as I used to regularly have at least 5 mostly large dogs in my home. Without training, they could easily hurt a person standing near the door as they stampeded through, or they could injure a smaller dog, or get snarky with one another due to the tight space and competitiveness to get out first. (My shepherd enjoyed trying to cut off my cattle dog so she couldn’t pass through.)
When introducing this skill, it makes sense to teach each dog individually, before you begin to work with them together. The video below explains my go-to method. The only thing I’ll add is that I now like to deliver the tossed treat further back from the door????because it highlights a ‘paying zone’????and makes the dog more likely to hang out there, instead of close to the door. In it, you’ll see Chloe is off leash, but that’s only because she’s exiting into a fenced yard. Otherwise, a leash should be on the dog just as emergency back-up (not to hold the dog inside).
When, or IF, do you think it’s a good time to add a cue for this behavior?
Where else is this skill helpful?
➡In the next post, I’ll show you how I use each dog’s name as a way to release them one at a time through an open door.
➡In a final post, I’ll share a video showing how to teach dogs to line up and wait at a designated spot well back from the door. This is an awesome skill for when deliveries or guests arrive.
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3 Replies
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Otherwise, a leash should be on the dog just as emergency back-up (not to hold the dog inside).
This is such a great point. So many folks rely on the leash and then when it’s off, the dog notices and whoosh- out the door because it’s such a different context! Helping clients keep that leash “smiling” (keeping slack in the lead so the dog doesn’t feel collar pressure) is important!
Great video and tips, @virginiad – looking forward to the next installments!
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Great video and instruction! Thanks @virginiad ????
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