Time in a Bottle: Finding Time to Meet the Needs of a Multiple Dog Household
Puppies are time consuming. That statement doesn’t even begin to properly convey the situation. Let me emphasize it. PUPPIES ARE TIME CONSUMING!!! I am a pro at this game and *I* am tired, so I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it must be to non-pros.
It has been very beneficial to me as a dog training and behavior professional to have a puppy in my life. But it sure has brought home the point of time constraints. However, the main difference between myself and my clients, aside from how I make my living, is that I know how to live with my puppy in such a way that I am teaching him beneficial info pretty much every moment that I interact with him.
Kenzon at 5 months
I strive to teach this to my clients as well, but it’s not something that comes as second nature by instinct, unless of course you happen to be a dog trainer! Learning how to do this can be done but it’s not what most people are used to. Training by default can make your life easier but it involves making changes to your routine. Learning to wait for the behavior that you want can be the hardest thing to do for some people. But being patient is the best gift you can give yourself and your crew.
Enlisting the aid of your adult dogs, provided they have reliable behaviors that you can reward will make your workload lighter. That is a gift from any angle! Siri and Trent are good role models for Kenzo as they are appropriate in any situation in the house. I never have to worry where they are and what they are doing. The same was true of Merlin and Kera. I like life this way so this is my goal with Kenzo. I notice the behavior that I want with the older dogs so Kenzo hears this praise and makes note of it. This has helped considerably in the kitchen, with meals. I can now trust Kenzo to wait until he is served, usually after the others are served, to build impulse control.
The same good example setting takes place on walks, with exaggerated verbal praise for what I want, being noticed by Kenzo. Of course, at his age, his exploratory nature takes first precedence, but seeing or hearing his “big brother and sister” getting some serious attention can remind him that there is virtue in paying attention to his family when outside.
Most of the time, my schedule would make even the most die-hard type A personality run for cover so it’s imperative that I make the most of the time I do have. I believe in making my actions count. So far, the basics are taking care of themselves, thanks to this method. Now onto to stepping up his social schedule so that he remains well socialized with other dogs. Wish me time in a bottle!
With 12 dogs, people ask me ALL the time how we have the time to have a life outside of taking care of the pups. It is another full-time job, that’s for sure! Thankfully, there are 2 of us and we split the duties. We have a routine (and we have a petsitter/housekeeper who helps a couple times a week). Although we have a few special needs dogs, feeding is probably the least complicated task. Cleaning up after them is just a matter of scooping poop outside and washing beds and potty pads inside. The trick is quality time for all when you have big dogs that must be segregated from small. Every aspect of our lives involves giving quality time to one or more to make sure no one is lacking. We take the big ones for rides and geocaching adventures. They all take dips in the pool. My little special needs chi goes shopping with me in a fleece lined purse. One chi is a model and actor.
I’ve heard that ‘enlisting the help of the older dogs’ really works. Good to hear that is reinforced.
I’m also intrigued with the comment above about having 12 dogs! That’s a lot of work!