Training a working puppy in a household with other dogs

missykel3 · 09-10-2011, 11:53 PM

I have a 10 week old working line GSD pup. I also have a 6 year old rescue GSD. I am going to be doing protection work, and possibly schutzhund with the puppy, but there are a lot of things I have read that say keep the puppy separated from other dogs so that the pup is only interested in you. It is very unrealistic for me to separate them all the time. Right now, I am letting them play in the evening only, and during the day I work with the pup and my other dog separately. This seems to be going fine, and I also walk them separately. The pup does not seem to follow my other dog around too much, will follow me. Is this ok? Any feedback from people who have experience with training a working puppy in a household with other dogs would be greatly appreciated!

Tammy GSD · 09-10-2011, 11:58 PM

We were doing Sch then switched to personal protection with ours and have 3 other dogs in the house. No trainer ever said anything to us about separation. It's working just fine.

missykel3 · 09-11-2011, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback...I didn't think it would make a negative impact, but didn't want to be making any mistakes either. I always thought that positive dog interaction was important, and so I hope that will make this pup well balanced. Thanks again

Shaina · 09-11-2011, 10:01 PM

Ive heard that as well. If you have a drivey puppy that enjoys being trained, you shouldn't have an issue at all. My pup is doing just fine, and works her little butt off after being at daycare for 8 hours a day! My lab and her are best buds, and she still trains for me like Im her one and only

MicheleMarie · 09-12-2011, 02:00 PM

before my pup was 5 months i would put my other dog out of the room. at around 5-6 months i started doing everything with my other dog around-it's a good distraction for them

JagersMommy · 09-13-2011, 01:00 AM

This is exactly what my husband was asking me today. He wants a working GSD, and our friends are selling his sister and were going to buy her.

I was thinking the same! I'm very glad that you posted it, cause he was really worried on getting her because of what online said.

Then we asked our trainer and he said it would be "fine, and give that dog a good home"

09-10-2011, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
missykel3 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 34	Training a working puppy in a household with other dogs I have a 10 week old working line GSD pup. I also have a 6 year old rescue GSD. I am going to be doing protection work, and possibly schutzhund with the puppy, but there are a lot of things I have read that say keep the puppy separated from other dogs so that the pup is only interested in you. It is very unrealistic for me to separate them all the time. Right now, I am letting them play in the evening only, and during the day I work with the pup and my other dog separately. This seems to be going fine, and I also walk them separately. The pup does not seem to follow my other dog around too much, will follow me. Is this ok? Any feedback from people who have experience with training a working puppy in a household with other dogs would be greatly appreciated!

09-11-2011, 10:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Shaina Master Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 752	Ive heard that as well. If you have a drivey puppy that enjoys being trained, you shouldn't have an issue at all. My pup is doing just fine, and works her little butt off after being at daycare for 8 hours a day! My lab and her are best buds, and she still trains for me like Im her one and only __________________ "In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

09-12-2011, 02:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
MicheleMarie Master Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Denver ish Posts: 638	before my pup was 5 months i would put my other dog out of the room. at around 5-6 months i started doing everything with my other dog around-it's a good distraction for them __________________ Samson Vom Gieske GSD 12/2010 Snickers-GSD Mix Rescue 06/2004 ::MILLIONS AGAINST MONSANTO::

09-13-2011, 01:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
JagersMommy New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Osceola, WI Posts: 20	This is exactly what my husband was asking me today. He wants a working GSD, and our friends are selling his sister and were going to buy her. I was thinking the same! I'm very glad that you posted it, cause he was really worried on getting her because of what online said. Then we asked our trainer and he said it would be "fine, and give that dog a good home" __________________ Jäger Vom Haus Malone /GSD/Bi-Color/M/5-17-2011

09-10-2011, 11:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tammy GSD Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 160	We were doing Sch then switched to personal protection with ours and have 3 other dogs in the house. No trainer ever said anything to us about separation. It's working just fine.

09-11-2011, 09:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
missykel3 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 34	Thanks for the feedback...I didn't think it would make a negative impact, but didn't want to be making any mistakes either. I always thought that positive dog interaction was important, and so I hope that will make this pup well balanced. Thanks again

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