Question for those who have more than one dog....

DisneyMommy

We have a 2 year old Lab mix we got as a puppy. We put him through Puppy and Intermediate dog training and he is an awesome dog! Last weekend we got another puppy, a 3 1/2 month old Shepherd/Lab mix. The two dogs get along really well. I already began training the puppy to do basics like sit, wait, etc and he is learning quickly.

Here is my question, would you still put the new puppy through training? I'm thinking it would still be good for him since he'll be around other puppies and not always his new big 85 lb brother. I know I can train him to do the commands they teach w/o the class (it's more to teach us than them anyway). But I was wondering what other people who get another dog later on do?

Thanks!

radosti1

It can't hurt to do puppy classes. It will also give the new puppy one on one attention. As he will grow into a big and strong dog, you should expose him to as many public situations as you can. The puppy classes will definitely help with that.

Mummsy

I would use what I already knew by putting my first through training but would ABSOLUTELY train him somehow. Happy new puppy. How fun!

alandy64

I have owned between 1 and 4 dogs in my house at any given time. Because they are pack animals, they will learn from each other, but they still have their own personalities and abilities. I've not taken any of my dogs to training class, though I've had a couple who I think could have used it. But in the end, they all learn just fine. I think the issue has more to do with your own skill and confidence as a dog owner. Sounds like you have some hesitations still, so I think that it would be useful for you to take both dogs to the training.

feistyhorsegal

DisneyMummy I'm in exactly the same situation. I put our dogs through training at a school many years ago, so I know what to do to train the new puppy, and I'm wondering if its worth doing the whole obedience school thing again? But it is good for their socialisation I think.

Butterfly3730

The first dog (lab too) went through the training program. When we got 2nd lab puppy, we trained him ourselves. Plus the 2nd puppy caught on fast to the house "rules" too because he followed the lead of the alpha dog (1st dog). Once he was old enough (and after his vaccinations), we exposed him to other dogs/puppies by taking him to the dog park. which they both enjoy to this day. But I agree with the other posters that socialization to other dogs/puppies is very important either thru training, dog parks or friend's dogs, etc.

alandy64

That's a good point about the socialization of the new puppy in public situations. The learning of commands is a bit secondary. But socialization of dogs is really important.

kryptonitekelly

Speaking about dogs...
My dog forgot how to roll over!

I'm at uni most of the time. I went back home one weekend, tried getting my dog to roll over..
she sat, then lay down,,,did a half roll then got back up! Numerous of times

My doggy needs to be on MFP though, she's a wee cairn terrier and weights over 10KG!!

cekeys

We have 3 dogs. We put the first through training class and didn't the second. I taught her the commands, and she responds well. I did take the 3rd since she's a big German Shepherd compared to our Yorkie & Maltese.

The class is about training the owner as much as training the dog. Once you really start understanding behavior & rewards, you can probably skip it and do it on your own. If you're not feeling comfortable, then take the 2nd dog. I would suggest going to another company if you aren't overly happy with the results of the first dog.

fififox

We did. We got a 1yr old Dalmatian from animal welfare and she was nuts so we did it with her to try to socialise and gain better control of her when on the lead, etc. Our second was a Neapolitn Mastiff pup and we took him to classes partly because of the socialisation with other dogs and people and obviously because his final size would be massive so control would be very important. We also wanted to show him so we knew he would be in tight spaces with lots of other dogs and people so good behaviour was vital. I think it really is good for them to get out and get used to being well behaved around other dogs and people if even only for that reason. Doing a class would mean that you know you will set aside that time every week to do it and to practice in between (if you needed something to ensure that you would do it).

Amandajp79

I took my Bull Mastiff puppy to class even though we had a 3 year old Lab at home already. It was good to get him out to socialize and see other people, dogs etc. I did realize that whatever he learned in class all but disappeared when he was around his brother. BUT I'm glad I did it anyway. 'The Art of Raising a Puppy' is the BEST book ever, I highly recommend.

Buddhasmiracle

I would still go through the formal training with the second and newest addition even though you have the formal training experience with your first buddy. It's a positive bonding experience for you and the little guy; and feedback from the trainer to help you brush up on your skills is beneficial.

I have always had pitbulls as my most favorite dog companions. All of them went through training and they were all Good Canine Citizenship certified by the AKC. My current pitbull, Bonita, recently completed first level agility, which is a great experience. It's a whole different dynamic in your relationship with your pooch; lots of exercise for both of you, and lotsa lotsa fun.

Best wishes to you and your big and little pups.

HauteP1nk

I have never done puppy training classes, but I wish I had...lol My dogs are lab mix and are hyper breeds. It took years before they calmed down... Actually they are 7 years old now and still pretty high energy.... I think taking training classes would be beneficial. It can't hurt. And, I agree, it will help your dog become familiar with not just his big brother but with other dogs as well.

meerkat70

Yes, please do. We made this mistake with ours and it's had negative consequences for socialisation. even though you know what you're doing with your pup, taking them to class helps with discipline and gets them used to being with other dogs.

hbrittingham

I have three dogs right now who are all very well trained (two of them are therapy dogs). I have taken and still do take each of them to different classes, partially for the mental stimulation for them and partially because they need one-on-one time with me. It helps them with their bond with me and it gives them some special time with me.

I also agree with meerkat70, socialization is really, really important!

danipals

We had our 3 yr old Goldendoodle when we got a little puppy and did the puppy training classes. It was mostly for socialization but also for reminders for us and the kids as they came to class too. The best thing was that I swear our older dog was the best teacher/trainer for the puppy!

carriem73

When we got our third dog, we put him thorugh puppy class, even though I had successfully trained my other two adult dogs- going to class (that we had to pay for) gave us the motivation to actually do the training- sometimes people will procrastinate if left to thier own devices! I know we would have- not that our puppy (he is now 3, but acts like a puppy) absorbed any of the training- he is a Shar Pei, he KNOWS how to behave, he just CHOOSES not to most of the time! :sad:

EmCarroll1990

I would definitely be putting the puppy through training. Yes, you can basically do it all at home since you've already done it, but they get awesome puppy socialization while there. We have a 3 1/2 month old Rottie, and we're putting him through the Petsmart training, all the way through.

zenchild

I would definitely go back to classes. Both of mine have been to class. I got my boy first and taught him the basics myself and then took him through a click-a-trick/agility class for extra bonding. I took my girl through a beginner class because I just couldn't get her to come on command. (I could hold a treat out to her and say "come" in my happiest, friendliest voice and she'd bolt in the opposite direction like I was going to beat her.) I'd trained two family dogs before these and even worked with friends' dogs. (My friends were all amazed that their dogs all sit politely to greet me and would jump on everyone else.) One of the main benefits of the class is the pup learning that he has to listen to you no matter what. That you are the boss even if there are 6 other dogs within sniffing distance, even if there are a bunch of people that need greeting, even if there are 200 bags of food just 15 feet away. And every dog is different. The new pup might have a habit that the old dog doesn't and the trainer will have suggestions on how to help.

Weathers58

My dog has no nose

BeeElMarvin

I've always trained my own dogs, (they are house dogs AND they love to hunt) so I can't really comment, but I will take this opportunity to post a picture of my pups, LOL.


2012_1-31 by blmarvin, on Flickr