Dog Training Nation

In Dogs We Trust

You are here: Home / Archives for best way to walk two dogs

Walking Two Dogs at Once Tips

by

Tips for Walking Two Dogs

Dog Walking Tips
KavalenkavaVolha/iStock

If you’re fortunate enough to share your home with two or more dogs, I know this thought has crossed your mind. But, is it the right thing to do for both dogs? It depends.

Before grabbing both of your dogs’ leashes, it’s best to prepare first. Now, if one, or both dogs, pulls on a leash, I recommend teaching each dog how to walk politely on a loose leash first. Trust me, it’s not safe being hauled around by a two-dog-powered engine. It’s downright dangerous. I’ve witnessed walking teams pulled into oncoming traffic. We don’t want that to happen so let’s discuss dog walking tips.

Lastly, keep your retractable leashes at home. Walking two dogs at once with retractable leashes is dangerous. Honestly, I’m not a fan of retractable leashes. I’ve personally received rope burns across the back of my legs when one dog lunged for a squirrel and separated the leash from the handle–it was horrible.

RELATED:  Walking Two Dogs at Once: Choose the Best Equipment

Introducing Tandem Leash Walks

Let’s begin slowly. Leash up both dogs and take a short walk (10 minutes) in a quiet area. Reward your dogs often when they’re walking politely together. Usually, when one dog stops to sniff, the other dog joins in too, so stop often for mental stimulation. It’s as important as physical exercise.

Practice tandem dog walks often and increase each walk by 10 percent. By slowing increasing duration (time) of walks, you’re teaching both dogs how to walk together politely while exercising both body and mind. A short positive 10-minute walk is much better than an hour-long walking session accompanied with pulling dogs. Everyone ends up frustrated. Once you’ve reached desired walking duration, slowly increase distractions.

RELATED:  Keep Dog Training Sessions Short

Big and Little Dog

Little dog legs must move faster to keep up with a larger dog’s longer stride. Keep this in mind during long walks. Plus, it’s difficult for larger dogs to walk slowly. They’re forced to alter their far reaching gait and hence pacing (kind of looks like a wobble). Ideally, use a longer leash for large dogs (six or 10 feet long) so they have a bit more room to move forward than the smaller dog who should be attached to a four or six-foot leash.

Older and Younger Dog

Using the same principles as walking large and small dogs together, I advise taking additional breaks for senior dogs. Plus, breaks may be longer. Walk only as fast as your senior dog can tolerate. If this is too slow for your younger dog, I recommend walking them separately.

Walking Past Distractions

It happens. Distractions are a normal part of life, but how you and your dogs handle distractions is everything. Sometimes, when dogs become overly frustrated, they may turn around and fight during tandem dog walks. This is called redirected aggression and can be deadly. Until both dogs learn how to respond (ideally ignore and focus on you) around distractions, keep it simple.

Someone Approaches You

If distractions are approaching you, such as another person walking her dog, turn around and walk the other way. If that’s not an option, cross the street or, better yet, walk along another street. Your goal is to avoid distractions for now while teaching your dogs to behave quietly and ignore them. If walking away is still not an option, stop and move away from the sidewalk, as the distraction walks past. Give your dogs yummy bits of cheese for good behavior. Once all is clear, start your walk again. 🙂

Distractions in Progress

When walking around distractions, such as playing children or a soccer game in progress, keep your distance. By keeping space between you and your dogs, you’re teaching them to focus on you instead. Next time, try walking one or two feet closer, decreasing distance until your dog ignores this type of distraction.

RELATED: How to Train Your Dog Around Distractions

Homework

Practice “look at me” at home using treats and a clicker. This cue is invaluable around distractions. During dog walks, when either dog stops pulling on leash, looks at you, ignores distractions and trots along by your side, reward with lots of happy praise and yummy treats. Practice and give lots of rewards. Soon, you’ll be power walking with the best of them!

READ MORE: How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need?

Walking Two Pulling Dogs on Leash

by

Dog Pulling on Leash Tips

Dogs Pulling on Leash
byronwmoore/iStock

Walking two pulling dogs at the same time is very frustrating for both you and your dogs. Instead of grinning and bearing it, take a few minutes and try these tips.

RELATED: Clicker Training for Dogs

Teach Polite Leash Manners Separately

Dogs pull on leash because they were never taught not to. When you know better, you do better. It’s troubling being pulled by your dog and, believe me, I’ve been right there. It feels like a freight train is pulling me into trees. When this happens, it’s time to brush up on polite leash manners. Discontinue tandem leash walks until both dogs understand how to walk nicely on leash.

Using a clicker and lots of tiny yummy treats, leash your dog and practice inside your home. While walking up and down the hallway, click and give a treat when your leash is loose. Now, it’s important to click every time the leash is loose or your dog will become confused and start pulling forward. Don’t be alarmed if you’re clicking and treating every few seconds or so. This actually means you’re doing a good job rewarding each success.

If your dog pulls, stop walking and wait. The moment you feel pressure release in your hand, meaning your dog stopped pulling on leash, click and give him a treat. When giving treats, make sure your dog comes back to you for the treat instead of you trying to walk forward and place a treat in his mouth.

Now, practice polite leash manners while walking in the backyard on short walks with minimal distractions, slowly increasing duration (time) of walks. Yes, you have to walk both dogs separately, but it won’t be forever. 🙂

RELATED: Teach Dog Not to Pull on Leash

One Dog Per Person

While practicing polite leash manners, enlist in a human helper for tandem walks. One person walks an individual dog, however, you’re both walking at the same time. Not only does this provide great rewarding opportunities for polite manners, but both dogs are learning to walk calmly together, which is so important.

You’ve probably noticed both dogs insisting on walking side by side instead of one dog leading the way. By having an extra pair of hands, you’re able to teach both dogs that walking side by side is not a race and it’s very rewarding (hence clicks and treats) if done at a slower pace.

After several tandem walking sessions with assistance, ask your friend to tag along while you hold both leashes. This way, if something should happen, your friend can step in and grab a leash.

It’s important to keep distractions to a minimum in the beginning by walking in your neighborhood or a quiet park. Slowly increase distractions. If both dogs become overstimulated, decrease distractions and reward good behavior. In the worst case scenario, you can walk both dogs in your neighborhood, but need a friend to help walk both dogs around distractions.

Try Different Equipment

Scrumptious treats and none-pulling collars are everything. By pairing both of these tools, you’re halfway toward polite leash walks. My favorite no-pull options are front clip harnesses and head halters. Now, this equipment will manage pulling until you’re able to teach your dog that walking on a loose leash pays with hot dogs. The equipment doesn’t fix the behavior.

Another reason I really like these harnesses and head halters is you still have complete control if your dog lunges toward a squirrel. There’s a saying in the dog training world, “If you’re restraining, you’re not training.”

So let’s teach polite manners instead of playing tug-of-war with a leash. 🙂

READ MORE: Walking Two Dogs at Once: Choose the Best Equipment

Walking Two Dogs at Once: Choose the Best Equipment

by

Equipment for Walking Two Dogs at the Same Time

Dog Walking
DmitriMaruta/iStock

With so many options out there, let’s discuss the easiest and best equipment for walking two dogs at once. As you’re probably aware, equipment is a huge part of setting you and your dogs up for success.

Dog Leashes

Each dog should walk using his separate leash that attaches to a body harness, collar (with ID tags) or head halter. If walking different sized dogs, or senior dogs, I recommend choosing dog leashes of varied lengths.

For young or large dogs, choose a six- to 10-foot leash. This provides more room to move quicker than their slower counterparts. For smaller or older dogs, choose a four- to six-foot leash. Now, some small dogs keep up with the big dogs so it’s all relative to your dog’s needs.

RELATED: Best Dog Training Leash and Treat Pouch

What Doesn’t Work

I don’t recommend two dog couplers, which attach to one leash and two dogs. This just doesn’t work. Dogs vary in size and bump into each other constantly. It’s equivalent to locking elbows with another person while walking. Give your dog some space to move about. 🙂

Keep your flexi leads at home. Walking one dog at a time is difficult, and walking two dogs on flexi leads is a nightmare. Flexi leashes should only be used for dogs, which have learned how to walk politely on leash already.

Dog Collars

For daily walks, I recommend body harnesses or head halters. This prevents constant neck pressure for pullers wearing a collar. Now, don’t forget your dogs’ regular collars, as they usually contain their ID tags.

What Doesn’t Work

Collars that tighten as dogs pull just don’t work. Dogs have learned to pull through the pain, which is counterintuitive to polite leash matters. Plus, constant tightening pressure around your dog’s neck will cause reddening of your dog’s eyes, neck pain and even strangulation.

Need More Hands?

Yes, please! Sometimes it’s easier to attach your dogs’ leashes to a waist belt instead of holding them, but I’ll provide a bit of advice. Both dogs should walk politely on leash before using this type of equipment. Strong pulling or startled dogs can lunge, propelling you forward. It’s hard to pull back using the truck of your body.

Now, you can attach leashes to a waist belt, yet still hold leashes. It just takes some pressure off your hands. This is my preferred way to walk two dogs at once, as my favorite waist belt contains clasps for holding a water bottle and poop bags.

My Favorite Waist Belt

Over the years, I have tried several different types and I always come back to my heavy duty High Sierra Walk-A-Belt. It’s made of wide and heavy duty webbing, yet lined with fleece inside to prevent it from riding up my waist during walks. Plus D-ring attachments are metal and sewn onto the belt for added strength.

When wearing this belt, it’s best to position it around your hips instead of your waist. By wearing it lower, you’re protecting your back. Let’s face it: our center of gravity is usually our hip area. Think about it, when holding your dogs pulling on their leashes, most of us bend our bodies forward for additional strength.

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

Dog Training Nation

Quick Links

Dog Training
Dog Behavior
Dog Training Videos
Become a Dog Trainer
About
Contact Us