Multi Dog Household Question

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#1
Ok, so I'm having major issues dealing with the Koolies. I really don't like doing things without Traveler and he makes me feel super guilty when I do.

Part of me feels like I need to do more one on one time with Didgie. That feels like it's the "right" thing to do. But at the same time I also feel like the more I do things together with them and get both of them used to being out in public together with me and focusing on me rather than eachother the better.

I end up torturing myself everytime something comes up trying to decide if I should bring Didgie, Traveler or both. Like today I'm going to an agility trial to watch and meet people at the club. Originally I planned on bringing just Didgie since she's never been to that environment before. But then the women I'm going with told me I was more than welcome to bring both and that she won't have her dogs so if I need her to take one she could.

So now I've been sitting at home going back and forth all afternoon. I hate it! It seems so silly but I end up feeling so guilty when I leave Traveler alone but then I keep going "But shouldn't Didgie get one on one time?" but then I go back to her not being dependent on Traveler and how easily she focuses on me even if I have both of them at the same time.

So, how do you guys handle it? What would you do?
 

SaraB

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#2
One on one time is so important at this age. I've found that it's much easier to teach the expected behavior with the puppy by themselves before adding the the other dog into the mix.
 

AdrianneIsabel

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#3
I rotate a lot. I try to make things fair and even on a weekly and monthly basis as opposed to daily. I also make sure they have plenty of fun while I'm gone with raw bones, treat toys, etc.

I don't like taking more than one unless I'm going to training, my dogs love one on one time and I want to be sure they get it.
 

Aleron

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#4
This is an issue with multiple dogs, the adults can always make you feel sooooo bad about leaving them behind. I generally take puppies to most things one on one or if possible take the van and rotate them for things like classes/socialization at dog places or events. For exercise type outings to run or swim, the puppy and adults go and that helps with the pup learning how to be out and about while still focusing on me. For the agility trial tonight, that's something I'd definitely take a puppy to by themselves. It's a great opprunity to work on not just socialization but having the puppy working with you in a new and interesting place. Having two dogs there, even if someone else can help you with holding can really put a damper on the training opprunity with the puppy. It's great she focuses so well on you already and you want to build on that and reinforce it too.

So sorry Traveler but yes, you definitely should be doing things one on one with Didgie right now. Not everything but a lot of things, just like Traveler got a lot of one on one attention when he was her age. Can't help you with the guilt though, my dogs make me feel sad too about leaving them behind too :(
 

Fran101

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#5
I think one-on-one time is super important.

My moms dogs were the same way.. they work well together, went out together, can focus really easily even with the other dog around.. but now, when they NEED to be separate, it's **** near impossible. Vet visits, groomers, they throw a fit and are stressed out and I just WISH we had pushed solo trips when they were younger.

Sure, at first it may seem unfair, and traveler might be upset (and vice versa) but just like having a new sibling and learning to not be an only child.. you adjust. He will learn that he doesn't get to go EVERYWHERE she goes.. she will learn that sometime you will take just Trav places. It just takes time.

My mom has started taking one of her dogs to work everyday. It is totally unbalanced and pretty unfair lol and at first.. oh god there was a SCENE. but now.. the other dog barely cares, it's simply part of life lol he just looks forward to his solo walk when they get back.
 

Finkie_Mom

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#6
My situation is a bit different since I've only gotten older dogs (Kimma, the youngest, is the only one I've had since she was a puppy), but I feel the same about her. I HATE leaving her since she grew up getting to go everywhere with me.

But I have noticed a huge difference on days when I do separate stuff with all of them and when I don't. Nothing huge, but I find that they are generally all a bit "on edge" if they haven't had their one-on-one training/exploring/whatever time with me.

So I will usually give the other two something to do (chewies/bones/etc.) while I'm working/out with the other one. Or if my husband is home, the other two get to maybe play with him for a bit. It keeps them all happier and more tired :p

The other thing that has worked out nicely is getting them all to the point where they can chill when one is being trained. So we might all be out in the yard, but I will only be working Pentti. Or Bubbles or Pen will be in their crate with a chew, while I put Kimma in a down/stay and work whoever is not in the crate.

As far as taking them different places, they all get to go to a pet store generally at least once every couple of weeks, but I really focus on Pentti for this. Bubbles gets to go to shows every once and a while, and Kimma usually tags along - and they each get one-on-one time to talk around/work with me. So that exposes them to different places/people/dogs a good amount.
 

FG167

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#7
One on one time is so important at this age. I've found that it's much easier to teach the expected behavior with the puppy by themselves before adding the the other dog into the mix.
I rotate a lot. I try to make things fair and even on a weekly and monthly basis as opposed to daily.
This. Plus, I just bring multiples LOL I set up a/c or fan/crate or whatever needed to make the dog in the vehicle (or building) comfortable and then I bring them each out one at a time for one on one.
 

Toller_08

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#8
I just reminded myself a lot how important one on one time was. I felt so bad leaving Dance behind to do things with Ripley when he was a puppy. The only saving grace was that Dance isn't a needy dog in any way, shape or form, so my guilt was needless... but still, it was hard. It was worse when I had Tango and brought Dance home because Tango had been my whole world (dog wise) for 4 years, plus she needed a lot in the way of getting out and doing things. I felt beyond guilty whenever I had to leave her and take Dance out do do puppy things.

But, it's better in the long run to let them have their one on one time. I did quite a few things with my puppies and adult dogs together, but I always tried to give my puppies a ton of one on one time and limit group outings with the whole crew as much as possible. As adult dogs now it's a lot easier, but I still feel guilty if I take one or two dogs with me and leave somebody behind. So now that they're adults and the most crucial part of socialization and real life training is over, they do go a lot of places together just to save me from the guilt. But I also pick and choose different activities with the thought of which dog might benefit from or enjoy a certain activity more, that way I can feel a little less guilty when I just take one dog.

ETA: With as much as they make me feel guilty when I leave them, I also quite enjoy one on one time with each of them too. It's just the initial leaving the house with just one that makes me feel guilty. Once I'm out, I have a great time with whichever dog I decided to take that day.
 
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Saeleofu

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#9
Unless I'm just going on a casual walk or to training (where I can crate one), I only take one dog. I even prefer just one dog when we go to shows/trials too.

That said, when I first got Logan I felt AWFUL leaving Gavroche at home, becuase he used to go all over with me - rides in the car anytime I was going somewhere he could go or it was cool enough for him to wait in the car, walks all alone, etc. Then Logan came and he needed the training more. I got over it for the most part with time, but soemtimes I do still feed bad leaving Gavroche at home. He gets to go training about once a week and walks otherwise, so it's not like he's NEVER with me.
 

JacksonsMom

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#10
This is my biggest worry with adding a second in the future. Jackson does practically everything with me that he can... and I honestly can't even imagine taking a new dog somewhere without him! He's my partner in crime, my little buddy. So, ugh, no advice, just saying I know it's so tough when they make you feel guilty.
 

elegy

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#11
It's easier for me right now because Steve is on crate rest so he *can't* go most of the time. Once he's back in action, it will be harder, because sometimes I just can't take them both.

And then I feel guilty because the bullies stay home most of the time. But to be honest, they're so used to it, I don't think they much mind. Especially Mushroom, since my leaving means he gets a bone. I still feel guilty though :p
 

monkeys23

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#12
They are great together, but I love the one on one time almost more than they do. Lily is fine being left, but she is also my favorite... ;)

Scout freaks the f out if she is left alone without another dog in the house... I did have her to where I could though, but finding my foster a home and some other cumulative factors caused the severe relapse of a myriad of anxiety issues we're currently working through... again/still.

So as triage management I'm having to do everything (even fracking potty time) with them together. Honestly its driving me up the frickin' wall because I need some time with my Lily bug alone. Luckily Lily has been a trooper... I think its because she and Scout are a lot more closely bonded than they were last time we were in this situation. Still... it blows. And they aren't at all ill behaved when we're all together, but its just crappy to get zero one on one time with Lily right now. I hate it. We either need another dog in rotation or Scout to stop having mental issues already. :rolleyes:
 

meepitsmeagan

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#13
I feel bad when I have to go to the grocery store or work and I can't take my single dog. I can't even imagine how I'm going to feel when I add a second... Though, when we add a second, Harlow will become more Josh's dog (not that she isn't already). I think most of my alone time with the new guy will be herding or agility class. The rest of the time the two nut balls will most likely go together.

Now, when we add a third, I don't know how that will work. :( We have seriously discussed waiting to add a V until Harlow is old and to the point that she can't hike/kayak or do any other fun things very well anymore.

So no advice here, but I have a feeling I will be in the same boat as you very soon. :(
 

momto8

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#15
I rotate alot, each dog gets its own individual attention for training, walks ect and then we do things in groups of 2-3 and then we do large pack walks with everyone and work on recalls as a group, stays as a group ect
 

Grab

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#16
We rotate. I've always had multiple dogs, so it's what I've always done. I'm probably a big meanie, but I really don't feel bad leaving one/multiples while I do stuff with the others. It's just our routine. Even though Nog tries to make himself look extra pitiful when I take Goose without him:p
 

TahlzK

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#17
I think you need to share the time with each of them. Your girl probably needs more alone time with you right now. They defiantly need alone time from one another so they don't cause a fuss when taken out separator when they are older.

At the moment, Serenity gets the most one on one time because she throws a fit if I to out with Sunny. I hate this, I truly do. I do prefer taking her out but I do hope in time she'll learn to behave better so Sunny and I can have some more one on one time together.
 
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#18
We rotate as well, but it helps that I have special activities for each dog (hunting with Bailey, training with Liberty, long walks with Mammoth). To be honest, I hate dragging them all out together because they just don't like each other that much and that's 166 cumulative pounds of dog to be responsible for.

I wouldn't stress about it too much (I know it's hard!). It might be easier on you to 'keep score' regarding how much alone time each dog gets, so that you can feel reassured that you aren't leaving anybody out.
 

Laurelin

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#19
I am horrible about this too. I almost always lug both of mine around with me all the time. I even signed Summer up for agility so I could take them both back to back. This week I'm going to have all four and I had even thought about taking all four to agility then realized I'm being crazy. :p
 

MericoX

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#20
I rotate outings and special one on one time between the 5. Usually during the week we alternate days, and use the weekends as free group time. Depending on the situation I try to bring them up in pairs, rarely three at once, and once or twice a year I'll bring all 5 somewhere if I have a helper (like Halloween or camping at outdoor trials).

Going anywhere anyways is a drive so I try to double it, and play to each others strength. I won't take both schnauzers out together, I don't take the girls or boys out together. Poodles go out together, Charlie can go with anyone. Stryder only goes singly to pet stores because he likes to pee on stuff.
 

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