I have 6 dogs, collies, individually they walk on leads beautifully...together they are a nightmare!... help!!

Question

I train dogs myself, but this dilemma has got me beat, they are 5 border collies and 1 JR. they get loads of exersize, both physical and mental. Any suggestions...getting rid is not an option!!!

Answer 1

Firstly to those saying 6 dogs are too many that isn't what kathys_k9's is asking about. And I don't think it is too many anyhow!

I have 4 dogs 3 GSD's and 1 Border Collie and have on occasion had a similar problem, if I harnessed them up they could pull a train load of passengers!! if I'm not feeling 100% they take full advantage! so I use an all-in 1 halti type collar and lead
http://www.gencon-allin1.co.uk/?refer=dogservices

I find this helps me to keep them totally under control all at once! though my 8 month old GSD does still fight it a bit, she doesn't like me to be in control but she will learn eventually.
Good luck

Answer 2

As a dog trainer myself I have 4 outside dogs that bed down together. You must be the alpha or lead dog in home and let them know you are the leader and they should obey. Also let them have there own pecking order when you are not there. They will do this on their own. Borders have to be more than walked. Try agility course or if space is not available a tread mill walking each and every day for an hour at least. Cathy

Answer 3

My solution to you might be expensive but worthwhile.

What you need when you are walking dogs, whether individually, or in a pack is a "Halti Head Collar".

These are one of the kindest collars that you could use. When you walk a dog with a normal neck collar and the dog is pulling, it is effectively damaging its neck muscles. A Halti Head Collar does not allow a dog to do this.

Have a looke at:

http://www.petstuffonline.co.uk/index.html?6/ASMbT8PDkAxPJ50LYkI7hDieMyU/XoJWIVZE6d+5lel0YYirMjdf5Uc/Sv9hZmQxDrbf5GwaOMonpf9fDWPw==&gclid=CPWplJnqlYkCFQhGEAodvV1sOw

Put Halti into a search engine and have a look at other sites.

These are approved by vets and Canine experts.

Answer 4

You're braver than I am! Short of investing in rollerskates and making the best of it, how about figuring out their pecking order and starting with them in pairs, one low ranking and one high ranking.
If you control the higher ranking dog, that should control the lower ranking dog as long as they are not battling it out while on the lead.
Once you've got 3 pairs working, try trios.
I agree with everyone that says use a headcollar; there's also the Gentle Leader and anti pull harnessess. With 6 dogs if you've got a sewing machine it might be cheaper to buy webbing and steel rings from a tack shop or haberdashers and diy shop and make your own!
And the best of luck to you!

Answer 5

First of all 6 dogs are too much. Second of all, it sounds as if they are competing for the leadership position of the pack. Is there a leader? Treat him different then the rest of the pack. When they have it all figured out in their heads but we humans get involved, we screw things up for them. We pay more attention to a subordiante member and the leader has a fit, and he is right. The subordinate member gets to pay the price of our ignorance and on it goes. I would walk only 1-2 dogs at a time and make sure they are compatible. I would also not allow them to get all together because if the pack mentality gets too out of hand, you can be in for a surprise.

Answer 6

1 you need to be the alpha. start by ignoring your dogs for the first 5 mins whenever you greet them for the first time, or whenever you enter the same room as them, absolutely no eye contact then call them to you.
2 alphas eat first mix their food where they can see you but have yourself a small biscuit first and make sure they see you eat it then put their food down. any left is taken away, not left.
3 you lead the hunt/walk they all come to heel before you start you collar & leash them with praise you go through the door first they walk to slack leashes or you start again or abandon the walk. you lead!!!
4 you provide protection how you react will determine how the dogs react.
BE CALM AND CONSTENT. THIS MUST CONTINUE FOREVER i may have been too brief here, but check out my source.

Answer 7

At least your dogs aren't wildly different sizes.
If you can't get a partner to help you walk them, you could try three dogs to a lead, using short clip ties to attach their collars together. This way they won't spin around and get tangled on each-other. You'll end up with two triplets of dogs tied together at the neck, and if you tie the leash handles together (or make or buy a "trident" to put all the dogs on one lead) you'll only have two handles to worry about.
So you don't get dragged along the road by six dogs, you could try teaching them to walk with headcollars. It's harder for them to pull if pulling twists their noses to the side. Dogs tend to just ignore those giant spike metal choke collars eventually, anyway.

Answer 8

i have 2 dogs, a deer hound and a collie chow mix. when walking them separate they are fine. together they pull. the problem is, they both want to be the lead dog. so when you walk all 5 of yours, you have 5 dogs that all want to be the lead dog.give it up, like i have and walk them separately.

Answer 9

Together they are a pack and you are not pack leader. You need to figure out which one is pack leader and make that think of you as pack leader. In turn he/sho will pull the others in line.

Answer 10

Will you have to teach your dogs how to walk together, and you should ask some one to go with you you can have 4dogs and anybody (friend) could have 4 other dogs. Maybe that could work. :-)