Pet Lovers

[SeaMaiden]

I was going to try walking my two goldens this morning for the first time together. I  will just go up and down the street to see how they do first..... I have been walking them separete for the past month, but, I would really like to just walk them both at the same time if it is possible.

 What are any tips you can give me?

 When one is pooping... is it hard to hold on to  the other.. pick IT up...

I am very nervous about  getting tangled up in the leashes.

 One dog is bigger than the other as well( taller)

Do I walk them both on the same side... ahead of me or at my side?

 Hmmm... maybe I should just not even try!  Seems like a lot of work!

[Rose429]

I walk 3 large boxers at the same time and it is not always easy!! It goes fine unless we run into a loose dog then all bets are off.  I walk 2 on my left and the worse one on my right. i really should take them separately but I think I am too lazy!!

[Abrowneyegirl]

I walk both of my girls together and yes it can be a pain but you will get the hang of it.

I keep them on either side of me.

They are good at waiting for the other one to their business.

Leashes will get tangled occasionally, but if you use a wider leash they untangle quickly.

OH- I only use 4 ft leashes, 6 ft is a disaster!!!

You can also use a coupler.

[SeaMaiden]

@Abrowneyegirl  Thank you!

[SeaMaiden]

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@Rose429 wrote:

I walk 3 large boxers at the same time and it is not always easy!! It goes fine unless we run into a loose dog then all bets are off.  I walk 2 on my left and the worse one on my right. i really should take them separately but I think I am too lazy!!

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@Rose429  THAT is my main concern.  How will they act with another dog in the area.  I know the streets that are mostly dog absent... but, it can happen and to hold onto two dogs scares me. YOU ARE NOT LAZY... YOU ARE BRAVE IN MY BOOK!

[deedledeedeedle]

I used 2 retractable leashes, although my girls were leash compliant (mostly). The greyhound seemed to adjust her leash manners depending on who was leading her. She would go into chill mode when my mom lead her, for example. There is a leash made that separates into 2 leads but you only hold 1 leash. Not sure how it would work with a dog size discrepancy.

dee

[K9buddy]

https://www.chewy.com/pet-parade-no-tangle-dual-leash/dp/133304?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium...

Maybe something like this?  I'd also consider a gentle leader for Zazu. 

[hoosieroriginal]

@SeaMaiden - I went through this with my two dogs also and like you, at one point, decided to walk them separately.  If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it is best to walk them separately.  If the dogs are older, it is unlikely you can change their habits at this point.  I walk my greyhound and pharaoh hound now down the street and back, put the pharaoh hound in the house and continue on with the greyhound.  My pharaoh hound is 15 1/2 and I am really tired of having to turn around to take her home because she doesn't want to walk anymore - now she gets her small walk and Story gets her long walk - it's time for me and Story to bond. 

[CamilleP]

Sea Maiden, I have successfully walked up to ten (10) Scottish Terriers at the same time, 7 of my own and 3 rescue fosters.  All were on 6 foot leads, that's the only way they had enough room to spread out and not tromp all over each other.  The key is to use your voice, not just the leashes, as a method of control.  Both dogs should understand something similar to a "halt" command and a "wait" command.  These don't need to be formal "sit/stay" or "stand/stay" commands like in the obediance ring, like the dog can't do more than breathe, it just needs to mean "stop moving forward and stay with me while I do this/that/the other", whether that means pick up poop or talk to a neighbor.   If one of your dogs is too young to respond properly to voice control, then a collar, halter or harness that aides your control should be used.  Which side you walk your dogs on is your preference, I always preferred to have mine out in front of me, so I could see what they were all doing and speak to any issues that were arising as they happened, but if you want two on your left or your right, either one, it's your choice, it's more important to stay consistent.  I do recommend you keep both leashes in one hand by putting your hand through both loops and keeping the loop around your wrist while hanging on to the rest of the loop and leash, that way you can't drop the leashes like you could if you just hold on to the loop itself with your grip.  Keep both leashes in one hand and the other is free to manage baggies, open gates, check the mailbox, hold a flashlight, etc.  Most importantly, remember to use not just the words but the tone of your voice to keep your dogs' attention on you in part, if not in whole (of course they are going to be interested in sniffing, etc.) so that you can stop them and reverse  course or change sides of the street if needed.  Your voice and your dogs' response to it is your most important tool!

[SeaMaiden]

@CamilleP  @hoosieroriginal  @K9buddy  @deedledeedeedle  @Abrowneyegirl 

Well I DID IT!   I was a bit fearful at first....but  everything went well!   We did Number 1 and  number 2...walked past some other dogs.... got a bit tangled a couple times with the sniffing of rocks....but it all went well.  I do have Zazu on a easy leader...it is under his chin. He is just wonderful with that. Lola is just wonderful on a harness. She  and I have been walking for a long time. Lola stayed on my right, Zazu on my left.  

A major  positive step forward!   It has been almost a month now with ZaZu and he is really settling down and becoming a part of the family. Or the pack I should say.  The DNA test results  should be coming in a couple weeks. I will let you know what the results are as soon as I get them. Thanks everyone for your input.  You are all so helpful