When someone comes to the door at my house, I have learned to wave at them through the glass, put a finger up in the air, and go to put the dogs away.

YesI leave my guests standing on the front porch for a minute or so, but frankly I don't care The same would go for asking them to remain in their car.

People completely understand and it works so much better to then let them back out one at a time with the new people than having multiple excited dogs bouncing and barking.

Hey Karen, Its not that I think your looking for an easy answer but I do think the answer is easy. You have a dog that bites. You have to control her. Obedience and containment. I don't think its any different deep in the hearta then it would be in New York City.

Hi Karen, It doesn't work for my dogs to be out alone. They are all territorial with a healthly dose of prey/herding drive(this is where the car chasing comes from). Two will bite and the others would love to join in on the ruckus. It is just not worth it for their safety or the safety of people for them to be out alone. When I can't keep an eye on them and keep them under my control they are either in a crate or an outdoor pen. A pack of dogs can really get into trouble. My goal each day is to let each dog hang out with me, alone time is the best way for a dog to learn what you expect from them. Train while you hang!


Best of luck!

I agree wholeheartedly with Debbie. If you can't keep an eye on them and control them instantly, then they should not be out together.

I have 4 dogs as well. 2 will bite, no question. If I can't keep my eye on them, the 2 that don't bite get to be outside, and the biters are in the house.

I also taught them a command that is not negotiable. If they don't instantly respond, bad things will happen (like a MAJOR correction). The word I use is HERE and I require that each dog drop what she is doing, race to me, and touch me. Once they touch me, they are put into a sit or a down and they don't get up until they are released. Each dog also has her own release word, but I use "OK dogs" to release them as a pack.

Since teaching Toni and Caterina HERE, I have had no problems with them going after people that pull into the driveway. They have actually taken it a step further on their own and will come to me if they see a car pulling into the driveway before I call them. They are HIGHLY rewarded for this!!!!!

As for the dogs swarming your vehicle and trailer, I have seen other farmers teach their dogs a sort of place command. The dogs are taught to go to a certain place while heavy equipment is in use or there is any danger of a dog getting into trouble. One farmer I know has a couple of old plastic crates with no doors outside by the barn. When he needs the dogs out of the way for a little while, he tells them to "go to your room" and they go to their crate and wait for him to call them.

Just because they are "ranch dogs" doesn't mean they can't be well trained and behave properly.

Just my 2 cents.....

Thanks! This gives me some degree of direction. I had never wanted to have 4 dogs so I'm a little overwhelmed at how quickly things get out of my control.