I have a 4y/o german shepherd, and recently moved in with a friend (roommate situation.) She has a 4y/o lab.

My question is about the interaction that should occur between my friend and my dog. There have been many changes in my dog's life (frequent moves/ pack structure changes), and I'm going through groundwork again with him. At this point I am having my friend ignore my dog, to get his attention more on me as his pack leader. I intend to continue work on ob/ marker training with him, and am trying to be 100% consistent with him (this has been a problem for me in the past.)

My friend is a typical, unknowledgable pet owner, who lets her dog run wild (and has a limited amount of interest in dog training/ pack structure/ etc.) This would be a relatively short term living arrangment, probably only lasting another year at the most. She is open to learning how to interact with my dog, though in truth I question her ability to be consistent.

In reviewing this site and reviewing Ed's videos, my understanding is you allow family members to start interacting with (and perhaps training) a dog after the initial pack structure work and you are well into obedience training. But what about a situation such as mine, where the person I'm living with won't be there forever, and *may* have trouble (with consistency) with the type of training I'm wanting to do?

Should she be treated more as a guest, with all the basic expectations (no jumping up, she's MY guest, etc.) or as more of a pack member? What about her handling of him, ie. walks when I'm at work, etc.? Only if she's following my rules? Will she automatically be seen as a pack member? I recall a thread about roommates on here awhile back, but I haven't been able to find it, and further I don't think handling of the dog was discussed.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Not trying to be stupid; just trying to create a successful, consistent (as much as possible) environment for my dog, when consistent has not been his life.

I'm not sure what others do, but when I had a roomate (and a pack of dogs between us), We kept the dogs separated, and for the most part, handled our own. There were times that she or I would need to at least let the other person's dog(s) outside for potty breaks, but other than that, there was no real interaction. If nothing else, it was an excellent remender to my dogs that 'outsiders' were to be ignored.

I would say to take things slowly and play it by ear. You don't want your roommate undermining everything you're doing with your dog,but you also don't want the dog not accepting your roommate and/or her dog. By accepting I mean your dog permits them access and ignores their movements around your house, not necessarily that he becomes friends with either or both.

You do want to at least be able to handle each other's dogs in an emergency and to have the dogs respect each other and both of you. Anything more than that should occur gradually if at all depending on whether or not you can follow each other's rules concerning your dogs.

I would, though, create and agree on a few mutual rules that both dogs (and people as well) will follow. Post those rules as a reminder.

 Quote: Lisa skinner

I'm not sure what others do, but when I had a roomate (and a pack of dogs between us), We kept the dogs separated, and for the most part, handled our own. There were times that she or I would need to at least let the other person's dog(s) outside for potty breaks, but other than that, there was no real interaction. If nothing else, it was an excellent remender to my dogs that 'outsiders' were to be ignored.

I agree! Your new roommate's dog is a good example of her training ability/desire at this point, and personally I don't want anyone learning and making the normal mistakes on MY dog. When she starts showing that she is being consistent with and becoming proficient on her own dog, at that point I would CONSIDER if needed letting her handle my dog, although I don't see why you would need it.

Having her let the dog outside for a potty break and simply returning to the crate, with no interaction with her dog is okay - just no training, correcting, etc... An no, imho, simply her walking the dog will NOT set her up as a pack leader. Dogs know immediatey who is in control and who is not.

Good luck in your new place!

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

 Quote: Lisa skinner

I'm not sure what others do, but when I had a roomate (and a pack of dogs between us), We kept the dogs separated, and for the most part, handled our own. There were times that she or I would need to at least let the other person's dog(s) outside for potty breaks, but other than that, there was no real interaction. If nothing else, it was an excellent remender to my dogs that 'outsiders' were to be ignored.

I agree! Your new roommate's dog is a good example of her training ability/desire at this point, and personally I don't want anyone learning and making the normal mistakes on MY dog. When she starts showing that she is being consistent with and becoming proficient on her own dog, at that point I would CONSIDER if needed letting her handle my dog, although I don't see why you would need it.

Having her let the dog outside for a potty break and simply returning to the crate, with no interaction with her dog is okay - just no training, correcting, etc... An no, imho, simply her walking the dog will NOT set her up as a pack leader. Dogs know immediatey who is in control and who is not.

Good luck in your new place!

I agree too. And with this dog, I agree 110%.