Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now that's a handful. If you have puppies then break out the biscuits and get ready for some serious repetition. But if you have a puppy and an older canine then you might just watch one grow and the other learn some new tricks.

First things first, let the dogs get to know each other. Stand back while they do their sniffing thing. Keep your distance so they don't go into protect mode. Once you've established that they are friendly then you can begin the training process.

One of the most important tools when training a dog is the cage or crate. They make all sizes so get out and get one for your Yorky and your Rotweiler. The cage not only gives you the peace of mind to know exactly where your furry friends are but also serves as a safe zone for them. Don't use the cage as a form of punishment because you'll never get them to stop barking.

The first thing every dog needs to learn is that there is a major difference between in the house and out of the house. The old rubbing their nose in it as a lesson is nothing but a myth. All your dog will learn from this is not to bury their face in doodie. If you have an older dog that it is already potty trained then many puppies will just follow suit. In the event that neither dog is trained here is my suggestion for teaching them the rules of the house. Take them out frequently, especially puppies, and reward them with treats when they do good things. (Some people also use clickers to emphasize correct behavior) Getting them in the habit of doing their business outside will make things easy in the long run. If you have a rebel pooper here is a method for showing them the way. Scoop up the mess they have made, continuously and sternly repeat NO, lead them outside, place the deed on the ground, and give them a GOOD BOY or a click. This will show them were the mess belongs rather than teach them to be more conspicuous. Usually if one dog's learning curve is higher then the other dog will catch on in time. Hanging a bell within a paw's reach near the door can be a good way for them to signal you.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to get a dog to obey but simply repeating the word NO in situations that are unacceptable will work wonders. Some other suggestions for training two dogs at once are connecting them to each other with a special collar or leash and using one's good qualities to teach the other.

Stephanie Hetu
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