As the title suggests, this booklet deals with living in a household with more than one dog and provides tips to create/restore order when things can get rather chaotic. As stated in the introduction, "Teaching your dogs to be polite and patient rather than pushy and demanding is the main focus of this booklet" using methods based on ethology and positive reinforcement.

I was particularly interested to read this booklet, as I have two large dogs living with me and am well aware of the challenges that brings on a regular basis. It also brings double the enjoyment – but often takes twice the effort to keep things running smoothly.

While I have many dog books sitting patiently on my bookshelf waiting for me to read, like many others, life is so busy that it is hard to find time to sit down for a couple of quiet hours to relax and read. The good thing about 'Feeling Outnumbered?' is that it is in booklet form. It’s only 40 pages long and easy to read. The authors don’t dwell on theory and the instructions are easy to follow whether you are an experienced trainer or just starting out. There is also a list of recommended reading at the end of the booklet.

It can get quite chaotic living with more than one dog, and the practical ideas in ‘Feeling Outnumbered?’ will help to keep owners on top of things. It also shows how to deal with difficulties that might arise between dogs who live together. It is easy to say that ‘they will sort it out’, but it is far better to prevent incidents from happening and this booklet gives you some tools to do that. It also provides advice on what to do if fights occur between your dogs or unruly behaviour takes over, as well as signs to look for that might indicate a serious problem. Like us, dogs can’t always get what they want and they must learn that pushy and unruly behaviour will get them nowhere.

An interesting aspect of ‘Feeling Outnumbered?’ is that it doesn’t favour the "top dog", but explains how to have polite, well mannered dogs while treating each dog equally, all by using positive reinforcement. New behaviours are initially taught to each dog individually, and once the new behaviour can be performed with distractions, it is then taught in a family group situation. By working with each dog individually first, the dog will learn to pay attention, to look to you for direction and be confident that you are in control.

There is something for everybody in ‘Feeling Outnumbered?’ – even if you only have one dog! It also suggests questions to ask yourself if you are considering getting another dog, gives guidance on how to introduce a new dogs to each other, signs to look for that may indicate a serious problem and rehoming a dog which just doesn’t get along with your other dogs. (Posted on 28/07/09)