Walking two dogs at the same time requires skill, agility and a good deal of attention, as dogs tend to go their own way. Some stamina is also motivated by the fact that both dogs exert their willpower even more than their paws! Here are some tips for walking two dogs at the same time.
Steps
Step 1. You need to have effective control over your dog even before you start walking
For small dogs, harnesses are best (they take the pressure off the windpipe and are also a wonderful handle for lifting the pet if needed), but for larger dogs the best control is with head collars (among the main brands is Halti or Gentle Leader, although there are others). The idea of the halter collar is to control the body by controlling the head, just like you do with horses. This is not a muzzle! The dog can still drink, breathe and bite.
Step 2. Choose your leash
This is a personal choice.
Step 3. Put a leash in each hand
This allows you to correct each animal separately.
Step 4. Take note of the side of the pavement that each dog prefers and which dog tends to go behind the other to cross the path of the other and vice versa
You have to keep the lead of the dog that likes to be on the lead in front and that crosses in front of the other dog if the leads cross. This will allow the other dog to walk further forward or backward than the first, without tangling the leashes.
Step 5. Anticipate the dog's moves
It may be necessary to turn and twist the leashes, which is a fairly simple operation when walking. Much better than having all tangled leashes.
Step 6. Sometimes it may be necessary to free a leash when they get tangled
Advice
- Congratulate yourself, because you are walking your dogs. Too many owners skip this important business.
- Always keep the same dog for each hand. Soon you won't even need to think about which hand to move when a dog misbehaves.
- Invest time in dog training, it will make your life much easier. However, if you don't have the time, you are not a horrible owner; do your best.
- Be ready for some unexpected rips. People are often pulled by both dogs going in different directions. When this happens, take control of one dog at a time. It's easier to catch up with the less polite first before it gets too out of control.
- Remember that you are in control of the dogs, they are not in control of you.
- For larger dogs, a good alternative is to purchase a double leash; dogs will still have freedom to move, but if one dog starts pulling, the other dog will behave like an anchor and you won't get pulled in two different directions.
Warnings
- If the two dogs you take for a walk don't get along well, it might be best to take them out at different times.
- Never put a harness on a large, strong dog unless you want to give it an edge. By using this type of harness, you will give your dog the advantage of holding him in the strongest area of his body.
- Halter collars cause spinal damage to the dog if the driver tugs at the leash (as we are used to with traditional collars).
- Collect your pets' keepsake. Sure, it's just a bunch, but those piles add up, so try to be a good neighbor.
