Guest hankodie Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 (edited) Dog lovers please share, how do you manage and run your household full of dogs? Our 13 week old GR puppy is fitting in very well in our family, however this experience has taught me that my time management skills are very very poor :laugh: and I'd love to get some ideas on how to manage my dogs a little better. My husband and I anticipated before we got Hank the puppy that we would be dedicating lots of time to training/exercising them both as our other dog Odie is still quite young and needs lots of time and attention too (she is almost 2 years old). We also anticipated walking and exercising them separately for life - Odie is quite reactive on lead and needs 100% of my attention when walking, she also has horrible recall (it's getting better but it's still not reliable) so off lead time with both dogs isn't really an option. None of this is a problem as I am lucky enough to work from home and out of my own office so I can dedicate as much time to the dogs as I want, however I'm finding that 98% of my day is being taken up by the dogs, which I wouldn't mind except for the fact that I can't get very much work done! I've been squeezing in work on the odd occasion that they both are asleep but that doesn't last very long. My husband is around sometimes in the afternoons and weekends to help out however we both agreed that I would be responsible for the bulk of the exercise/walks. For those of you who own more than 1 dog, how do you manage your time with your dogs? I'd love to hear from people who have to walk theirs separately too. Is it just a matter of getting up earlier to squeeze all the walks in? Do you do walks your own or does someone else help out? Also, how do you keep it calm inside the house? Hank has a puppy pen however he hasn't learned how to "settle" around Odie yet so it results in Hank chasing Odie around, which can get a little disruptive I love them and I don't regret my decision to add another puppy in the slightest, I knew that 2 young dogs would result in lots of chaos but I'd really love some advice on how to structure that chaos a little better so I can be a bit more productive :laugh: ETA: good excuse for a puppy photo :laugh: Edited September 2, 2013 by hankodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure if this is necessarily a multiple dog problem as much as it is a management problem, but having two certainly does complicate matters. Who dictates activity during the day, is it the dogs? By that I mean, have you decided on a routine of "up" and "down" time and then stuck to it? Dogs can be very good at the whole "let me out so I can come back in again" thing, in all its various forms and they can run your whole day having you jumping to their tune if you let them. If this was me, I'd set up two separate "quiet" areas for each dog - crates with a play pen attached are ideal. Each dog gets half an hour of intense interactive play/exercise with you in the morning, then they toilet and are put in their quiet area with their breakfast in a something they have to work out - buster cube, kong, even just an empty milk carton - and some toys. The older dog can stay there until lunchtime, you might have to get the pup out at morning tea for a toilet break but then pop them away again while you work. Then lunchtime, same - half an hour of interactive play with each dog and which can include recall and release games. Then back down for quiet time. And when it is quiet time, ignore the whinging and carrying on! I'd also work supervised play time with each other into the schedule but it has to be supervised. Find a schedule that suits you, within reason, and stick to it. You decide when play/quiet time occurs, not the other way around. Edited to add, I've probably had a fairly easy road with this as I have sighthounds, but someone with more energizer bunny breeds might be along shortly to talk about teaching "settle" to hyper dogs. Edited September 1, 2013 by SkySoaringMagpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Who dictates activity during the day, is it the dogs? By that I mean, have you decided on a routine of "up" and "down" time and then stuck to it? Dogs can be very good at the whole "let me out so I can come back in again" thing, in all its various forms and they can run your whole day having you jumping to their tune if you let them. If this was me, I'd set up two separate "quiet" areas for each dog - crates with a play pen attached are ideal. Each dog gets half an hour of intense interactive play/exercise with you in the morning, then they toilet and are put in their quiet area with their breakfast in a something they have to work out - buster cube, kong, even just an empty milk carton - and some toys. The older dog can stay there until lunchtime, you might have to get the pup out at morning tea for a toilet break but then pop them away again while you work. Then lunchtime, same - half an hour of interactive play with each dog and which can include recall and release games. Then back down for quiet time. And when it is quiet time, ignore the whinging and carrying on! I'd also work supervised play time with each other into the schedule but it has to be supervised. When I used to work from home with a 9 month old & an 18 month old kelpie this was almost exactly our routine. The morning run was longer because they were older, but then frozen kong - settle - training over lunch - settle - play with OH when he got home - dinner - couch snuggles. If they bugged me when they should be settled they just got sent back to their mat. If they weren't mat trained I would've put them in a crate with a small chew. Of course some days they will still be determined to make sure you get nothing done, but on most days, it worked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I was worried when we got Envy that it would be hard to juggle time between the 3 dogs. However it is working out really well and I think all of them are getting more time spent with them than ever. I walk and train Envy separately and she spends most her time separated from them too. I then do most of Chester and Lola's stuff together. I got a springer bike attachment and I have been running Chester and Lola either together or one at a time and it wears them out so well and is a faster efficient way to get some intense exercise in for them. They love it and so do I! We have been taking Envy out a lot for socialising and training then the other two hang out together at home. It's working better than I thought but it does seem like I'm spending extra time with everyone, which is fine by me :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 SSM I'll admit that the dogs definitely dictate the activity during the day, which is bad I know. They are great and very calm on their own - Odie is used to spending time laying around/being quiet while I work. Hank is usually in his puppy pen during the day but after a while he whines as he can see us from the kitchen and when I let him out, he pounces all over Odie who will then chase him around telling him off :laugh: I suppose I could set Hank up in his own room but I feel bad as he likes to be around during the day. They also don't get unsupervised access to the yard, so when I take one out, the other one wants to come and it then turns into 30 minutes of yard play I know it's just a matter of me being disciplined and that schedule definitely sounds ideal, I guess I just have to work it out and stick to a routine! Lollipup I have been separating Hank for all of his training/socialising but Odie lays a major guilt trip on me every time we leave and I feel bad! Even if I leave her with a kong. Maybe the solution here is to get a 3rd dog.... (jk - my husband would kill me :laugh:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) When I have a youngster around, in particular, and the weather is nice I take my lap top etc outside on the deck to work. Dogs get to expend energy and I can keep an eye on them, get work done and enjoy the sunshine. Win-win! Edited September 2, 2013 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 When I have a youngster around, in particular, and the weather is nice I take my lap top etc outside on the deck to work. Dogs get to expend energy and I can keep an eye on them, get work done and enjoy the sunshine. Win-win! I'm jealous TSD! That sounds ideal except I have too much computer cr#p to lug outside :laugh: I work near the deck and the dogs love spending time on it, I think I just have to train them to play a little quieter! The dogs look like they are having great fun in your photo :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Just the luck of the draw. I've never had to separate our shelties & tibbies. But I have had reason to block access due to other factors. I couldn't be without two sets of baby gates (bought from a second-hand baby goods store). Dogs are happy with these forming a barrier (whenever you need it), as they can sit on the other side and see thro' it as if they're still part of the action. So maybe Odie can have some 'peace time' behind a baby gate at certain scheduled times. Edited September 2, 2013 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Just the luck of the draw. I've never had to separate our shelties & tibbies. But I have had reason to block access due to other factors. I couldn't be without two sets of baby gates (bought from a second-hand baby goods store). Dogs are happy with these forming a barrier (whenever you need it), as they can sit on the other side and see thro' it as if they're still part of the action. So maybe Odie can have some 'peace time' behind a baby gate at certain scheduled times. baby gates are a great idea except that Odie would whinge too much if she were separated from me. I have the world's worst velcro dogs :laugh: I've got the same idea going with Hank's pen but giving them both their own little space during the day is a good idea. I might try splitting the front deck down the middle so Odie can still lie around her usual spots and Hank can be closer to the action :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Be on the same side of the baby gate.... or whatever the barrier... as Odie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibbie_tabbie Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) I have two dogs, they are very easy as they know the routine/rules. When I take on fosters it gets busier! I have flexi time, (full time), so I get into work very early, this means I can leave early. I then get home and walk/run the dogs - sometimes separately (although this takes hours), when I haven't got as much time I'll take one then come back and swap for the other two. I take the fosters by themselves until they've learnt to walk on lead. Then we have 'thinking training'. Sits, stays, paitence, paw, turns, jumps - whatever you want. This is how they earn their dinner. Don't underestimate how much mental work can focus and tire them! They then all settle for the night and I can get on with cooking dinner and the housework. Also feeding them using kongs or the like could keep them quiet. Your pup is so cute!! :) Edited September 2, 2013 by Tibbie_tabbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Homestly your pup is 13 weeks and it's a golden retreiver, this part of it's life was always going to be very busy, it's like having a newborn baby. I would just focus on lots of training to have calm time and maybe enforce a crate time nap for an hour or so in the middle of the day so you can work for a bit and then let them out together to run off some energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Yes another vote for structure & routine. Find what works for the 2 pups & yourself & stick to it. It might take a while but it will be worth it. Mine are like little robots :laugh: They know the drill. What is expected of them & when. They just are where they have to be when I need them. I rarely have to call them to do anything eg put their leads on, meal times, grooming time. Bath time they put themselves in our out door bath & wait for me after our daily beach run. The mornings here belong to them basically. Thats when they are exercised, train etc & we are usually home by around midday. The arvos are for them to rest/sleep & I do whatever I have to do. Your gorgeous Hank is only a baby so life is going to be organised kaos for a while. You do need to be firm but fair & consistant I have found. Good Luck. Get them into a routine & life will be a bed of roses :) Edited September 2, 2013 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Geez, what's the problem with spending 98% of your time with the dogs? And a puppy dog at that . Sounds pretty okay to me. Sorry, I'm just being silly, imagining how difficult it would be to get anything done around a gorgeous 13 weeks old fluff ball. Hard to take your eyes off him, I would think. Agree with the others that stucture and routine are necessary, but also taking on board that some days you will have chaos and interruptions by the dozen no matter what you do. Regarding your having velcro dogs. This is part and parcel of working from home, I believe. I am retired and so my dogs (5 littles) are used to having me around. A couple of them are velcro, a couple are on a string in that if they haven't seen me for a while, they come looking and one is where any patch of sun is. Looking forward to cyber sharing your journey. Edited September 2, 2013 by Danny's Darling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Also might be a good time to work on sit, drop and stay! Put a bed on one side of the desk for Odie and a bed on the other side for Hank and send them both to their own beds. He isn't too young to learn this and it might just mean he gets in to the habit of knowing the difference between play time and quiet time a little sooner for you, which will make your life easier. Don't underestimate the power of a pigs ear or other suitable bribe for 'quiet time :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Giggle... DDarling. I would be cuddling gorgeous Hank to death every chance I could get too . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 We have 5 dogs ranging in age from 11months to 12 years old. I also work from home, have the occasional foster and have two primary school age kids. My routine is dogs breaky is served while the kids have theirs, I walk the old girl and my young chi girl to the school with the kids. Get home take the three boys for a 30 - 45 min walk. Start work at 10, the dogs all hangout together either resting or playing. Finish work by 2:30 - 3:00, take Rascal the most active dog for a second walk to pick the kids up. They get dinner around 6 then they have a mad 1/2 hour playing, some evenings I will do some training with them as a group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I had 4 Border Collies at a time, in a suburban yard over many years and worked full time for a lot of that time. I did find that 5 was one too many and having girls in season or a litter was bit more complicated. My parents were home with the dogs during the day but didn't do anything with them other than spoil them and let them take turns in the house. Routine and solid obedience training of each puppy as I kept them, was vital to keeping my sanity. I have never been really big on street walks as the streets round here are not safe especially after dark but the dogs went with me to training up to 4 nights a week, after work and I could work all 4 dogs, turn about for 5-10 min at a time. BCs get bored if trained for longer than that so they learnt to wait patiently in the car while each one had a turn. I also had several places I could drive to then where they could all have an off lead run or the older ones could be off lead while I kept a puppy on lead. Shows and trials took up weekends. At times I had two males who could not be left together so at home was one inside and the other out with a baby gate to separate them. They would take turns being inside and even though they could have easily jumped the baby gate they knew that was not allowed. The older dogs slept in the main part of the house and the younger ones in the laundry with each generation graduating to sleeping inside as younger ones came along. So basically it comes down to routine and training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Following on from what dancinbc said I have often teken both my dogs for a walk and stopped at the local park in a quiet area and tied one dog up and worked on obedience with the other and then swapped them. that way both dogs get a walk and both dogs get some one on one, has worked well for me. Also teaches them to wait and watch patiently when it's not their turn as they get no attention for carry on but they can see you right there and they learn that it will be their turn for fun soon. :) Edited September 2, 2013 by kelpiecuddles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 We have 6 dogs and a number of fosters come through. I exercise mine on my friend's property, in the backyard and take a different one to work each day I work so everyone gets a fair go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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