Human cues are crucial for dogs we live with because the dogs read us anyway, and look to us for cues. So, we're best off understanding something about how we are cueing our dogs.
It takes time to learn how we do this; what we have to do is, notice the dog and exactly what it is doing - and, much more difficult, notice OURSELVES, and exactly what it is WE are doing - and finally, to associate what the dog does in response to our cues.
Of course, this gets much more complex as soon as we add a second dog, because then, we have TWO dogs to watch as well as ourselves.
All the same, if you work with your intent to notice what the dogs do in response to what you do, you will build up a large compendium of information about how your dogs respond to what cues you give, whether you intended to give the cue or not.
There are simple games you can play with the dogs together, but you should also work on each dog individually, on food-guarding and object-guarding. [Jean Donaldson has some good books that will help -- just click on the titles: Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (January 1997). Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson (November 1998).
Two games to play when your dogs are playing together (gently, not excited) are:
You need to teach the elements of this to each dog separately - interrupt the dog's quiet play with "Charlie, Check-in!" (after you've taught him what check-in means). The dog's job is to come to you. You need not require the sit at first - add that by also teaching it separately. Do the same for all the dogs.
So, to TEACH these cues in the beginning, separate the dogs, so only one can interact with you at a time; the dog has YOUR attention, and you have its. You can pen the non-working dog where it can watch. At first, the non-working dog gets VERY excited and upset, and is noisy. Reward the penned dog for being quiet. It isn't long (especially if you keep the training sessions REALLY short), before the penned dog learns its turn is coming, and quiets easily, watching.
Once both dogs have the idea, you can start interrupting their play: "All Dogs of Mine, Check-In!" (Only require the sit if each has really learned to sit - taught separately.)
There are endless possibilities for variation on this game. It's a good game to help dogs adjust to each other, to help them become confident that each has a full place in your heart - and to help them maintain self-control around each other.
The effect on bonding between your dogs can also be considerable, especially when you add the mechanical sound of a clicker, and its associated survival instinct gratifier - treats - to the ingredients. (Research shows that the click-sound gets into the emotional center of the dog's brain - as does the food- and the dog earns the food with its behavior, in the situations described here.)
Start this game with something the dogs will eat, but don't really care for that much; it will be easier to get the dogs used to the idea that way, and they'll enjoy the ceremony and the game. Then you can gradually build up the yumminess of the treats, until each dog, KNOWING it's going to get its turn, is able to remain quiet while the other dog gets the treat and the praise.
This article is from postings by Carol Whitney, who graciously consents to the use of her insightful material. Carol was recently recognized for her contributions to a Dog Aggressive Behavior Internet List, and was awarded a membership in The Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Carol can be reached at cwhitney@islandnet.com Please observe the copyright statement at the end of this article.
Copyright 1999 by Carol Whitney. Right to publish on www.pgaa.com granted to Pet Guardian Angels of America. Contact the author for permission to reprint elsewhere.
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