Should we be the only one to discipline our dogs?

Question

My friend and I both have the same breed, our dogs are the same age and gender....we know each others dog as much as we know our own. When we visit each other we both do the disciplining. She'll tell mine off the couch and I'll tell hers to shush when he barks. It just came naturally for us to do it that way.

I was thinking, when we do this, does this confuse our dogs as to who's the boss or pack leader?

Thanks

Answer 1

I doubt you'll confuse your dogs.  You're already doing it and you didn't comment on any problems.  

The dogs will simply consider you BOTH to be a pack leader.  Her dog will consider her to be Pack Leader #1 and you #2, and your dog will consider you Pack Leader #1 and her #2, but you'll both have pack leader status.  -!-

Answer 2

No, and it doesn't matter which one of you is the "top dog" as long as you are both above him in the pecking order.

Its good that you both discipline each others dogs. My pup only listens to me because when I trained him no one else helped or told him to do anything. Yet my border collie learned each persons different word for the same action.  

Answer 3

No it does not confuse the dogs.

As humans, you are alpha above both dogs.. even if you are not a pack member, you are still above them.  You are more dominant.

The dogs should learn to listen to both of you equally.  What if you take vacations and take turns baby sitting each other's dogs?  You need them to be able to listen and obey you.

Answer 4

I don't think it would make much of a difference as long as your dog isn't being bad!

Answer 5

I allow and encourage (and teach if need be) all people who come in contact with my dog to discipline her.  She needs to know that all humans are pack leaders...not just me and my immediate family.

Answer 6

consistency is the key - if you are on the same page, then the dog won't get confused.

You should be the pack leader, then you friend.

Answer 7

It shouldn't confuse them at all, they naturally obey someone who is dominant, there could be a hundred dominant people, one after the other that shush her and she should shush.  

Answer 8

Yes, it does. But who ever is the stronger leader the dog will think is the pack leader.

Answer 9

You should BOTH be the "bosses," so no, that is not confusing. It emphasizes that fact to both dogs.

Most dogs do not live in packs. The furthest extent of their pack hierarchies, usually, is the alpha owner and the lower-ranking dog. Yet, any "alpha" or dominant dog will correct any other, and any senior dog is likely to correct a puppy.

All humans should be "above" the dog.