In-Home Multiple Dog Management

[Sigarms]

But, I think the point is, we need to say something meaningful (to us) for the situation such that the tone and emotional content of our voice is what registers with the dog.

I can't disagree with you there, but don't forget about hand commands.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Our dogs are bilingual. They obey in English but I only use Czech language and they understand it too, of course.

 

[om21braz]

The wisest fellow I know on dogs (trained bird dogs for 50+ years) told me when I got my first dog - "Whether you know it or not, you have began a lifetime training session - you train him or he will train you."

 

[Sigarms]

Animals do not respond to the english language.

Should correct myself. Dogs will obey commands in any language you train them in (including sign language).

Now, let me ask your dog some simple math questions and have them respond by tapping their paw, and I'll be really impressed.

 

[SpringHollow]

I highly recommend training your dogs with both voice and hand commands. If you are lucky, you will have your dog for a long time and hearing loss is very common when they get very old.

I had two female mixed breeds together with never a major problem. My brother has always had a few dogs with no problems. I never took all of the special precautions that she did but if they got treats, both got treats.

Ken

 

[CurlyDave]

I have two female labs and I have never seen a fight. But, they get equal treatment.

We recognize that one is dominant, and don't interfere with that. Otherwise, nothing like that list.

 

[czechsonofagun]

This Airedale, Clementine, came from a rescue. Hmm, all of our dogs are rescue, but she was given away by a family with a small baby. She is talking a lot, I mean growling. Nice dog, but definitely there are few wires crossed in her nuggin, we don't want to pass her on, that's just not us to treat dogs like a sock and therefore we have to figure out how to deal with the situation on a long term bases.

 

[tsloan_6]

The wisest fellow I know on dogs (trained bird dogs for 50+ years) told me when I got my first dog - "Whether you know it or not, you have began a lifetime training session - you train him or he will train you."

Isn't that the truth! :thumbsup: IMO, there are some very good points in this list and articulated very well.

Tim

 

[Sigarms]

This Airedale, Clementine, came from a rescue.

This is the "wild card" variable that can be hard to determine what and why any problems occur.

but she was given away by a family with a small baby. She is talking a lot, I mean growling.

Has the dog shown any agression towards humans, or has it always been dog related?

Was the animal kept in a "foster home" after the original family gave the animal up or was the dog kept in a typical animal shelter?

If the animal was in a foster home, what did the "foster parents" report as to the dogs behavior with people and other animals?

but definitely there are few wires crossed in her nuggin,

It can be very hard to determine what past events have lead to the animals behavior.

We had one dog in particular that the variable turned out to be baseball caps worn by men. The only thing we can guess is that the dog had some very bad experiences with a man wearing a baseball cap.

To some extent, animals are like children. Children that come from "interesting" homes can show variations of "bad" behavior. In the long run, the advantage children have over animals is that they can talk. Dogs can't.

that's just not us to treat dogs like a sock and therefore we have to figure out how to deal with the situation on a long term bases.

Your taking the time and trying, hats off to you.

Have you talked in depth with the rescue organization where you got the dog about the animals behavior?

Do a search on temperment testing. The below link is something that I just happen to come across that you may find informative.

Dog Tip: Assessing Shelter Dogs and Temperament Testing

She would be excellent dog in one dog family

Worst case, work with the animal and see if you can find a breed rescue who will work with you to find her a "one dog family".

 

[Freds]

Some good advice and some bad temporary fixes in that article. That's typical of anyone giving advice though.
Airedale's aren't an easy breed, that's for sure. Especially those new "Mountain" Airedales that are oversized packages of attitude. First off, they're terriers. From Yorkies to American Pit Bull Terriers, they were all bred with with a specific job in mind, kill anything else on four legs. You get into your larger terrier breeds though, like Airedales and Kerry Blue's and they were also bred with a strong guarding instinct, which makes them think just a little too much on their own, lol. Very independent and stubborn.
BTW, I just speed read this, did you say what your other breeds were? Hopefully not terriers.
That said, she's already an adult and was given up for a reason (obviously she couldn't be trusted around a baby or with parents who did not want the responsibilty of watching her all the time), so like already said, she may have issues already.
And while I don't advocate letting dogs fight it out, they need to know their place amongst each other. Sure, they need to know you are #1, but then they need to know who is #2 and so on. Two Labs are most likely to both be #6s behind every other family member. They are hunting dogs and most hunting dogs get along well with others, but a terrier... she's going to want to be boss over anything she can. She needs to find her place and the others need to know that. IMO... if you step in everytime she looks sideways at one of the others, they'll never get settled who is boss other than you. You will never be able to trust them because as soon as you aren't around, then they'll have at it for real to see who is beta and who is omega. And females are the worse. Much moreso than two males or two opposite ***.
Good luck.