Thinking about walking more than one dog at a time? It’s a great way to give your pets exercise and structure, but it helps to have a solid plan before you start. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your setup, Walk! ATX Pet Care is here to help.
Things to Consider Before Walking Multiple Dogs
Walking more than one dog at a time takes planning. You need to think about how your pups behave, what equipment you’ll use, and how prepared you are to manage different situations. Some dogs walk well together right away, while others need time to adjust. Before you head out with multiple leashes in hand, here are some considerations that can help you decide if your doggos are ready for a group walk:
- Check Each Dog’s Leash Manners: Make sure each dog can walk calmly on a leash alone. If one of them pulls, barks, or gets distracted easily, work on that before adding more dogs to the walk.
- Think About Energy Levels: Some pooches like fast-paced walks. Others move more slowly. Pair dogs with similar walking speeds so you don’t end up dragging one or holding the others back.
- Watch How They Behave Together: Consider how your dogs interact when they’re close. If they get pushy, compete for space, or try to control the walk, separate them and practice shorter walks with better structure.
- Know Their Triggers: Identify what makes each dog excited or upset. Some dogs bark at other animals or try to chase cars or bikes. Know these triggers so you can plan in advance how you might handle reactive dogs during your walk.
- Test Their Response to Commands: Only walk multiple pups together if they all respond to simple commands like “heel,” “stop,” “leave it,” and “come.” If one is prone to dog distractions, focus on that dog’s training before taking them out with others.
- Choose the Right Gear: Use a setup that keeps you in control. You might need to invest in no-pull harnesses, shorter leashes, or even tandem dog leashes. Make sure each dog’s gear fits them well and doesn’t rub or restrict movement.
- Assess Your Physical Ability: Ask yourself honestly if you could control all the dogs if something went wrong, like another dog running up or one of yours trying to bolt. If the answer is “no,” walk fewer of your four-legged friends at once or ask for help.
- Plan Your Route: Pick a calm, familiar route for pack walking. Avoid narrow paths or places with lots of people and dogs. Planning a quiet neighborhood dog walk can help you stay in control while your doggos learn to walk as a group.
Training Your Dogs to Walk Together
It takes time and consistency to train your good boys and girls to walk together. You should start by walking each dog on their own until you know they will follow basic commands and respond well to you. Once they can walk calmly by themselves, try short walks with two dogs at a time. Keep the pace steady and use simple commands like “heel” and “leave it” as necessary.
Reward calm behavior and fix pulling right away. Don’t let one pup take charge or lead the group. Watch how they move together and adjust as needed. If your dogs struggle with focus or leash manners, work on those skills before adding more dogs. Need help? Walk!ATX offers one-on-one training and group walks. Our team works with canines of all sizes and temperaments.
Tips for a Successful Multi-Dog Walk
Even when dogs know how to walk together, each outing can bring something new. You might run into loud noises, off-leash hounds, or sudden changes in the weather. Here are some tips to give you small but practical ways to stay on track during group walks:
- Walk before mealtime to reduce excitement.
- Give each dog a quick potty break before the walk.
- Use one hand per leash to keep better balance.
- Watch each dog’s body language often.
- Avoid group walks during peak foot traffic hours.
- Keep extra poop bags in multiple pockets.
- Bring water on hot or long walks.
- Set a time limit and stick to it.
- Skip walks if one dog seems off or low-energy.
- Practice a cooldown routine after the walk ends.
Know When to Call in a Pro
Ready to make walks easier for you and your dogs? Walk! ATX Pet Care offers expert help with training, group walks, and personalized care for dogs of all sizes and energy levels. Whether you need support with leash management or want a trusted team to handle daily walks, we’ve got you covered.
Call or contact us online to learn more about our services and how we can help you build a better routine for your puppers.
Related Posts:
