Creating Intentional Multi-Dog Household Harmony #14

[@DogsThat]

Want to learn more about Project Togetherness? Check out the video with all the steps kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80

[@runnergirl3947]

This is just so excellent. She totally gets it. So many people talk about dominance, you gotta be alpha, blah blah blah. Her knowledge and approach are so spot on. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Gonna pay her in some way :)

[@baybluehorse]

I love that you point out that dogs should be able to relax in their home. No shame to rehome. I have helped many clients make a decision that benefited both parties. No one should feel like a hostage in their home. Glad you pointed that out.

[@nicolekelly289]

We may have to go this route for our Shiba and I feel awful

[@marionholtzmann6872]

I never had to re-home until recently. My little Shiba (nearly 12) aggravated my big dogs by continuously staring them down, not letting them rest and relax, and they finally had had enough of her mind games and beat her up. A very scary situation.. Luckily an old friend of 30 years lives right next door to me, so my Shiba now lives with him. The dogs are all relaxed now, it was the best move for all of us to separate them, and now we have stress free environments and I can see her anytime I want. Sometimes she sees them on walks and they are polite and sniff each other but no aggression. I tried one more time to bring her back into the house, and that did not go well at all. Separation is sometimes the only solution, and I'm glad my friend lives next door to me so I can still be with her too.

[@jenniferfischer7171]

I’m on my journey to adding a second dog (puppy) to my home and I’ve no experience in the matter. I want to have a plan in place before the puppy arrives. Would you please do a pod cast about how you “organize” your dogs. i.e. should your new puppy’s crate be near the established dogs or in a separate area? How to introduce the puppy to the established dog? How to teach the puppy that the value of playing with the older dog goes thru me?...Not sure how to execute that! Thank you for your time and for such a great Pod cast.

[@lesleybowen6590]

Another five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ podcast from Susan Garrett!

[@zanelevundla5829]

Ooooh heavens thank you... I got 2 dogs with zero preparation and now I'm back tracking tryna fix my mistakes and initially I was so overwhelmed, they were not getting along, I didn't know what to do. But now we are moving from aggravate - tolerate and adore... my one dog loves his space and my younger pup loves everyone's space, so we are trying get her to respect other people's space and for our older dog to be more tolerant. And there is some progress... thank you so much.

[@islandhundeundislandpferde9101]

Straight to the point 👍 Living myself with 9 Icelandic Sheepdogs...

[@ojlsherry]

Good , no nonsence advice! Bringing home a Mini Bernese Mountain dog and I have a 14+ Terrier/Poodle Mix (very well trained; retired hospice/therapy dog for veterans). The building of healthy harmony will be my biggest challenge. I'm using my last week before the newbie, to go through as many of your podcasts as possible! Thanks, Susan.

[@azogal53]

It always comes back to all of value coming through me. Brilliant!

[@patromine7755]

Five star content! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@nancypaffhausen5612]

Really enjoyed your video. Always interested in learning.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Nancy! 💕

[@ladonnaking4222]

Another excellent podcast. I never understood how people could live with the stress of dogs in the home that did not get along. If it can be fixed, fix it. If it can't be fixed, rehome for everyone's peace of mind.

[@nancy171]

i agree

[@pittymama4500]

I would have to find a perfect situation in place to re-home a dog. It's Not always that easy unfortunately. I used to never separate until my two males went at it a couple times and we have found a good rotation that works without causing tension. When you have animals capable of severely harming each other it becomes a safety thing. If I could control my nerves I would trust it but for now it's only if I'm concentrated on supervision.

[@mareamiller6957]

Awwww, my 2 dog (terrier 🤣) household accidentally does a lot of the right things, but it is awesome to be able to be more mindful, and the tips on how to move them are spot on!! Usually when one gives the other "hard eyes" I take that as my cue to give them each a walk/one on one time. But this is great!

[@dogsrgodsspelledbackwards3340]

awesome video Susan. i have 4 dogs at the moment. and i have been juggling dogs for yrs. it had come to me naturally to separate certain dogs due to health and age. i found this video so empowering as i didn't think i was doing anything special. i was managing the dogs so that everyone was safe and gets along. i find your content to be spot on. helpful to people who may be having struggles and your straight to the point descriptions of dog related behavior is great.

[@karlawilson1032]

Rings all the bells! I’ve lived with as many as five terriers at once, Airedales and Jack Russells, and thankfully knew just enough to keep the peace. Now, two is my magic number, and sometimes the “right” third dog. Such great information in this podcast!

[@kathrynclayton6326]

Thank you

[@kayrosswog7572]

Great tips! It amazes me that so many people just wing it throwing together multiple dogs then believe the trouble just came out of nowhere. Here’s to you for spreading the word on how to keep the peace from the start!

[@eenix0]

Oh my gosh FINALLY ive found a video to help!!! So many videos are either averse methods, dominance theory, or food based rewards rather than talking through higher level structures and concepts. (Food based rewards are fine for many households, but I work with village dogs, most of whom were street dogs for the developmental years of their lives...they will ALWAYS be a bit feral about food, so require a careful approach) Im adding a planned third and an unplanned fourth to the pack this summer (the fourth is a family emergency rehoming case for increasing bite severity). Im just beginning my journey into being a dog professional, so its all exciting but overwhelming. LOVE finding solid advice from people who have way more experience! Thank you for this video!!!

[@DogsThat]

Hi, thank you, we really appreciate having you in this community! And congrats on the new additions 💕. We have a full playlist with resources for multi dog house holds, leaving the link here for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joCXYqOcisSIqZo&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@nancy171]

I have been thinking of getting another dog friend for my border collie but you have made me think twice thank you. Excellent advice. He is high maintenance as it is.

[@maryrice1162]

I have 3 dogs and it’s been a journey with the 3rd unexpected rescue we got - went from adore to aggravate in the first few months and now we are consistently between tolerate and acknowledge. Im proud to say I did some things right already but you give me so many tips to improve things even more.

[@tatianafedorova926]

Excellent! I definitely discovered a few big aha moments to pay attention to with my two dogs! Looking forward to the next episode! Thank you, Susan!

[@rosieburnham9256]

I have 5 female dogs living with me and expecting another 10 , they all in desperate need for a good home , no one wants them because they are mongrels , I do have the outdoor safe space for all of them. I will do my very best and always listening for advice and appreciate your help, thank you .

[@debbiegoodman5174]

I have always housed many dogs. I love them all and they love me. So true each dog has different personalities and temperament leaves we must recognize. Love ur podcast 5

[@MariaDanielDeepak]

Wow! This episode contains more value than a full-blown paid course. P.S. I'm a member of Recallers and I love this Podcast as much as I love Recallers.

[@DarwynWT]

I agree with you! And, I also am a member of Recallers.

[@nancyhooper1742]

Need this and need to know more ❤❤❤❤

[@rachealcooper917]

More people need to see this video! So great, thanks for the help!!

[@earth2wendy]

Thank you very much for addressing this topic; I do look forward to a more in-depth podcast on it in the future. I’ve added a dog to an existing one or two-dog household in the past, three times, before I fully understood the importance of proper intros and setting of ground rules. I got lucky the first two times. The third was the ‘disaster’ and I was on the gut-wrenching verge of rehoming my rescue BC. But then I got in touch with a dog behaviorist at the U of Washington who recommended Patricia McConnell’s multi-dog household book. By following her suggestions to the letter we went from hair-raising fights to something beyond “tolerance,” i.e. two dogs that mostly enjoyed each other’s company, tho we still had, as you describe, the odd relapse due to a stressful change in the dogs’ environment (in our case the entire extended family camping in the yard for a week during the eclipse). As my BC ages I’m sorely tempted to add a puppy, but first want to read or listen to all the advice I can find on how to do so with intention. I know spending a good chunk of quality time with each dog separately, every day, is key-something you emphasized in an earlier podcast. Thank you so much for your podcast series!!

[@sebravo2]

Great

[@jennifersorum7475]

I am about to add a second dog too. A puppy. My older dog has not lived with another dog at all. Thank you! This was great information! Any more on developing that relationship with the new puppy would be FANTASTIC!! Please!! Five Stars for sure!!

[@asfasdfadf9820]

Another great video, thanks!

[@emilymower9902]

This is awesome!! Thank you!!

[@mothernyx4933]

We brought a 6month puppy home and the first 2 weeks was adore and it suddenly turned to hate over the last 2 weeks and we are driving ourself crazy trying to fix it

[@juliea3904]

Thank you for the wonderful podcasts!!! I am not sure where to put the stars but it is definitely 5 stars (sorry not so techy) I have just discovered your podcasts and am working through them- I do one a day so that I can think about and absorb information- I have just finished Recallers and this information adds even more clarity - thank you so much for doing these I look forward to my podcast every day - I find them so valuable and empowering!!!

[@bstanevich]

Great tips. Thanks

[@grannysouthafrica7540]

5 star 🌟 loved this.

[@equinn1768]

Great!

[@martinacusack9867]

Pretty chilled out multi dog owner here. Dog no.8 died recently. Loving the content thanks

[@Bobbiewhale]

Great video by the way, very helpful with the building relationships between 2 dogs, definitely going to implicate some new routines etc to get my 4 to bond better!

[@inezhoffman3807]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great episode!

[@thevirg6567]

This was great 👍🏾

[@DogsThat]

Thank you! 💕

[@nicolekelly289]

My Shiba acknowledges my rat terrier, tolerates my mini aussie, and basically hates our standard aussie. He's super food aggressive and resource guards and we aren't sure what to do anymore. Our Shiba is 4

[@DogsThat]

Hi Nicole, if you think your dog may be showing signs of resource guarding, here's a playlist with help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2LFnJSXjZx_jrs&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@GentleRayneASMR]

This has been so great to hear and learn from! Lots that I'm doing right, and more that I can work on and improve in our multi dog household! ^_^

[@annfry9072]

Would love to see individual components of the Togetherness project spelled out, and how you would go about creating intentional harmony between each of the stages. Gem: it all comes back to all of the value coming through me. I am looking forward to hearing about how to engage your dogs throughout the day also !

[@DogsThat]

Hi Linux Tyrion, we love your notes on the gems for the videos! There's a podcast episode dedicated to "Project Togetherness" now, here's where you can watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80

[@wonderingbit]

Dear Susan, I am in dire need for some input, and would be eternally grateful for some help/resources. I have one dog (my first one!) and now have the chance and strong desire to get a new puppy (same breeders, puppy will be born in a couple of weeks). I am a Recaller Alumnus, dog trainer myself, and my current dog is very well behaved and 7 years old. BUT: my current dog has a history of dog-aggression and extended fear. We worked through it extensively, and now everyday life is great, but in the process she developed an incredibly strong bond to me - which also means she can't stand if I pet or show interest in other dogs. She never plays with other dogs, either she ignores them or she behaves very dominant. She is used to be the sole dog in the house, so she doens't know 'sharing' (and shows ressource guarding in the rare cases when a guest dog is at our home). I guess my question is: is it still possible to create 'togetherness' with a new puppy under those premises? Would it be fairer to my older dog to let her be alone and wait till she passes before get a new pup? I love the idea of giving her a sister and fostering a 'pack' feeling. I am also scared at the thought of waiting till she passes, and then being without any dogs for as long as it takes to find a new puppy. I am also active in dog sport, and of course would love to have a new puppy to train once my current dog is 'retired'... But I don't want to be unfair to her and destroy the 'safe zones' we created through our bond and in her home. :( I thank you in advance a milion for any feedback. Best, Elena

[@DogsThat]

Hi! Getting a new puppy is always exciting and it's great you're preparing in advance! Being a Recallers Alumni, we'd love for you to post on the classroom site (on the Project Togetherness page) or on the Facebook group, so our wonderful coaches can assist ❤️

[@savannahhutcheson7650]

Susan, I would love some advice on my current multi-dog household. I let 2 of my dogs sleep in the bed, I started sleeping with my litter-mate beagles when they were 1 year old Roger & Odie. I have never had issue with them in the bed or on furniture. We have just recently introduced 2 more beagles into the home. Those two are not currently allowed on any furniture or to be in the bed. Shiloh came at 6 months in July of 2020, and Happy came at 1 year in January, making them the same age. Happy was abused and is very anxious around Shiloh indoors. He and Shiloh play and get along really well outside, when they get inside, Happy becomes very aggravated at Shiloh. Shiloh is very hyper. Roger and Odie are fixed, Happy and Shiloh are not. We have been working with them on desensitization and counter-conditioning, by doing crate training, training them to know value comes through us, and that they have to be obedient to get that value. I think Happy might not be absorbing the training because he was so traumatized, even though we don't reprimand him anymore (yelling, clapping, spanking etc), we just simply pick him up and place him in his bed with no treat. He has learned to trust us from that but little progress has been made for him and Shiloh. We have a vet appointment scheduled to discuss anti-anxiety medication so that he can be calm while being properly trained. My husband and I are young and we would like to have children in a couple of years, but don't feel comfortable bringing kids into the mix with this situation. Any advice would be so appreciated, we really really want do explore any possibilities to help them and if at all possible we do not want to rehome either.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Savannah, the podcast video about "Project Togetherness" has actionable tips you can use to help Happy and Shiloh. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80

[@paulinelebaudroy6311]

Great podcast! Thank you! You talk about the "Togetherness Program". Is that something you teach in one of your courses? I would be interested! I regularly dogsit my son's newly rescued older dog and she barely tolerates my two dogs. I would like to prevent this from escalating!

[@rottweilerutah6802]

I have two adult rowellers that are into bloodbath state now. I hac to take them to the pet emergency care 3 times within 2 weeks. Help!

[@DogsThat]

For aggression issues, Susan recommends consulting with a qualified behaviourist. A qualified behavioural professional will be able to help with a protocol designed specifically for you and your dogs and will be with you every step of the way for support. Ask for references and then work through your challenge with this qualified professional. Having said that, Susan's training is absolutely doable to deal with day to day training as it's more about understanding your dog and building a relationship with them through game based reinforcement. One does not exclude the other.

[@colleenborchardt9895]

I am considering adding a second dog (another Corgi). I am wondering if I should allow both dogs to meet in a neutral location first? Is there personality or history I should lookout for when considering a new puppy? My current dog is 2 1/2 years old, very confident and I have not had any issues with other dogs except when the OTHER dog is not interested in playing with him. :-) Thank you. Love these podcasts!!! Very valuable! I am a member of Recallers as well.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Colleen, Susan talks about introducing dogs here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80 and about puppy selection here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmWxoKGjp6iCmNk Enjoy!

[@robertdubose813]

I love the idea of a dog only on the furniture with you. How does this square with some time is any time for a dog. I am guessing there is a game to play to help teach dog this concept?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Robert, Lynda from TeamSusan here ~ Susan has a physical cue to invite the dogs up on her. One for "paw's up" and one for "jump in her arms" Taught as tricks and then become cue'd behaviours so the dogs know when invited by a very clear physical / verbal cue.

[@rosieleat6868]

🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I do let my girls sleep on my bed. I have two big crates in my bedroom so sometimes one or two will go in an open crate to sleep on their own. Sometimes I have two or three or all four sleeping on my bed with me. My little one sleeps under the covers or sometimes snuggles up behind me against me partly covered by blankets lol. She’s my baby but she’s bossy. All girls, someone’s they’ll get jealous and fight but it breaks up easily and the. They go back to playing nice. I just tell them to chill or settle.

[@ionicamermaid1141]

Tanks a lot! Do you have more about the togetherness program? My dogs usually tolerate/ acknowledge each other except for recources and after they had an argument if we didn't manage perfectly.

[@DogsThat]

Yes! There's a whole video episode about Project Togetherness: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80

[@ionicamermaid1141]

@@DogsThat thank you so very much!

[@nancy171]

***** 5 tstars for Susan

[@sarahblanken2060]

Is there a way i can send u a vidio on what iam dealing with? Please.let me know ty

[@DogsThat]

Hi Sarah, please send the team a note to [e-mail] so they can point you in the right direction 🐕

[@Bobbiewhale]

I have 4 dogs, and my largest male (everyone spayed/neutered) resource guards his bed and stops the others from walking past him, even coming in the room. How do I stop that?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Bobbie, there's a podcast video on resource guarding to help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2LFnJSXjZx_jrs The next episode on multiple dogs also has strategies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2emqoibpq2jfaM

[@litwhwolf]

I have multiple dogs in my home. What is the best thing to do if I am working with one and other dogs are in crates in another room and barking because they know I’m working with one?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Sandy, we train our dogs to take turns, here's a blog post covering the steps for you: susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/03/wait-watch-work/

[@ashleysnow7470]

Hi I have two girls that are two years old and they were perfect and the last week they are fighting .. please help !!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Ashley, here is help for you for strategies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

You can show up in an RV motor home with all of your dogs, lol.

[@ZZ_Trop]

Lol, did she just say flexibility and 4 dogs? 😂

[@kilevogelgesang7767]

Debra?

[@WollongongSkyWatch]

I was told I was a bully type for having my dogs sit at the door : /

[@carolemuenzer5490]

Yeah things would change here w multi dogs first thing husband moves out. He’s a big help so no I don’t think so.