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A Week in a Life with Five Dogs

Real routines, real chaos, and real life lessons for a multi-dog home


Living with five dogs isn’t simply a case of having “more dogs.” It transforms the way you organise your time, your home, your energy, and even your expectations. In my household, this consists of four Border Collies and one terrier, each with their own opinions—about each other, about what we should be doing, and about how each day should unfold.

This post provides an honest look at what a typical week in a multi-dog household is truly like. I’ll share how I manage grooming, training, rest, and daily routines, and explain why having structure is the secret to making it all work.

Consider this your hub for my 7-day blog series, where I break each day down in detail and share the unique challenges and joys of life with a busy pack.


Four collies and a terrier in a field
Our five dogs

Why a Weekly Rhythm Matters in a Multi-Dog Household

When you live with multiple dogs—especially high-energy, intelligent breeds—routine is vital. Dogs thrive on predictability, and a clear rhythm supports both their well-being and yours.

Dogs are at their best when:

  • They know what’s coming next

  • Their needs are met predictably

  • Calm behaviour is built into the day

  • Physical and mental exercise are balanced


Without structure, excitement can build, stress rises, and chaos inevitably follows. However, a weekly rhythm doesn’t mean sticking to rigid schedules. Instead, it’s about creating intentional patterns that support both the dogs and the humans in the home.


Monday: Setting the Tone for the Week


Mondays are all about resetting energy and expectations. After a quieter weekend or a disrupted routine, the dogs—especially the Border Collies—often start Monday bursting with anticipation. If not channelled properly, this can quickly lead to over-arousal.

On a typical Monday, I focus on:

  • Early movement to burn off excess energy

  • Short, focused training sessions

  • Clear boundaries following periods of excitement

  • Calm activities as the day winds down



Tuesday with the Pack: Training, Grooming, and Canine Chaos – A Chronicle of Life with Four Collies and a Terrier


With five dogs, trying to train everyone together all the time simply doesn’t work. Tuesday is dedicated to providing mental stimulation and giving each dog individual attention.

Training in a multi-dog home means:

  • Rotating dogs in and out of training sessions

  • Rewarding calm waiting from those not actively training

  • Keeping sessions short and achievable for everyone

  • Practising impulse control, especially with other dogs present

Mental work often has a greater impact than endless physical exercise—particularly for Border Collies.

 

Wednesday: When a migraine occurs


Living with five dogs means that real life doesn’t pause for illness or tough days. There are occasions when, as a human, you simply aren’t feeling well—yet the dogs still need care and attention.

On these days, it’s essential to ensure:

  • Routines are flexible enough to accommodate change

  • The dogs are comfortable relaxing when needed

  • You have people you can call on for help

  • You can offer quiet enrichment activities to keep them content

It’s not possible or realistic to achieve perfection but having strategies in place for those days that are not going to plan, ensures that everyone still copes until life returns to normal.

 

Thursday:  Terrier Focus


In a multi-dog household all family members deserve some individual care and attention.

Today, its Holly the Terrier.

Thursday highlights Holly’s personality  and how all dogs have their unique needs.  Breed traits and age are relevant but there are still variations in individual dogs.

We look at Holly’s training journey as an example of why its important to adjust your approach.


 Living with different breeds teaches you:

  • ·       One size doesn’t fit all

  • ·       Breed traits matter - but personality matters more

  • ·       Smaller dogs need training too

 

 

Fun Day Friday – Socialising

 

In a multi-dog household it is important to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to socialise outside of the home.  With other humans and canines alike. 

This post highlights how individual dogs personality, confidence and breed traits can affect how they interact with others of their own species.

Socialising different breeds teaches you:

  • ·       That energy, levels, confidence and temperament matters more than breed

  • ·       When it is necessary to step in and interrupt play to keep interactions positive

  • ·       Why walking together with other dogs, without pressure to greet, can build confidence and improve social skills

Socialising takes many forms and neutrality is more important that play between dogs.

 

Saturday Teamwork


Saturday is about spending time together, both handlers and all the dogs.  Everything is so much easier when there are two of you working together.  Activities and adventures for multiple dog households.

Teamwork between handlers involves:

  • ·       Dividing the work

  • ·       Consistency with cues

  • ·       Expectations

  • ·       Joint responsibility

  • ·       Activities and managing dogs away from the home

Managing a group of dogs when the family are altogether, either individually or as a team to ensure everyone is content, whatever the activity.

 

Sunday: Resetting the Household.  Dogs and Humans.


Sunday is about preparing for the week ahead.

With five dogs, this means:

  • ·       Laundry – towels, bedding and more

  • ·       Cleaning.  Having a deeper clean including muddy floors

  • ·       Planning and preparation for weekday enrichment

  • ·       Admin and Grooming Room refresh


Cleaning is a daily job with five dogs all living indoors.  Sunday is when things get done more thoroughly inside the home and I prepare the grooming room ready for the working week.


Read the full post: Sunday reset:Organising Life With Multiple Dogs

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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