• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Tips for walking multiple dogs

Posted September 1, 2017

By Karen A. Soukiasian

Walking multiple dogs: Taking a pack of westies for a walkHave you noticed there is an increase in multiple dog families? With that come added joys, laughs, challenges, and questions. One of the most frequent questions trainers are asked is, “Can I walk multiple dogs together?”

You need to know your dogs, before you can form a plan as to the best way to train them to walk as a pack. Dogs often respond according to their status in their pack. To be successful walking more than one dog at a time, you, as the leader, must project confidence. Since dogs are pack animals, there will also be a lead dog in your pack, the others will follow instinctively follow. Evidenced by the teamwork between the musher and lead dog; and all the subordinate dogs on a dog sled team, if the lead dog is controlled, the others usually fall into place.

Dogs learn by association, repetition, and most importantly consistency. The single greatest mistake most inexperienced dog owners make, is failing to be consistent. Your lack of consistency only confuses your pet.

Another important consideration when training dogs is how biddable each dog is. It has nothing to do with the dog’s intelligence! Biddable means how willing they are to please you. Some breeds are inherently more compliant than others are!

Finally, pulling is inherent in dogs. Ideally, you want a loose leash, one forming a U between you and your dogs. Be aware, the more you pull them, the more they will pull you. It is called opposition reflex. Relax, take charge and the walk will be a pleasant experience. If you keep a taut leash, it’s just a matter of time, before you will be looking up their ancestors, while being dragged behind your out-of-control pack! Not a pretty sight.

Tips For Walking Multiple Dogs

What an impressive sight watching a person confidently walk a pack of well-behaved dogs in unison! It’s not magic…it’s nature. It is a primitive behavior for dogs to follow their leader. That’s how packs survive. To be that leader, and maintain control, it takes self-confidence on your part, proper equipment, time, patience, and teamwork.

We suggest you start by training your dogs one at a time, to walk properly at your side. A well-fitted and correctly located collar is necessary. Your tone of voice, timing of praise and corrections, and keeping a loose leash is important. Granted, it’s more work, and more time-consuming. However, it gives you private time with each dog, to watch for inappropriate behaviors, form a bond, and establish your position as the leader. It is vital your dogs identify you as the leader they want to follow.

Begin by separately training each dog to heel on command, walk without pulling, stop when you stop and remain focused on you. You decide the length of the walk, and the direction you’ll be taking. Plus, you’ll set the pace and be the only one to decide if, when, and/or where you’ll be making stops. Any dog that continues to lag or pull, you will work with separately, until they grasp the concept they must keep a steady pace and follow your lead.

Once you have gained complete control of each dog, you attempt to walk them together; either coupled, or on separate leashes. If you have more than two dogs, slowly add an additional dog to the pack, when you feel you can control that number of dogs. If one dog needs more work, walk them separately until you can control them, before returning them to the pack.

Even though you are the true leader of the pack, coupled dogs or dogs walking on separate leashes, will form a hierarchy, and they will follow the lead dog. It is imperative the lead dog knows unequivocally, he or she must respond immediately to any commands or signals you give. Otherwise, there can be chaos!

There are a number of excellent products online and in pet stores for walking multiple dogs. To limit the number of leashes you’ll be holding, we suggest you invest in a durable leather 6-foot leash, a well made, and well-fitted collar and a sturdy web coupler.

Bottom line: You are the undisputed leader of your pack. To maintain control over your pack whether you are training them, playing with them, or walking them you must always maintain a leadership demeanor. Being fair, firm, and consistent are the keys to successful dog walking, be it one or ten dogs! It may also be helpful to enroll in a local obedience-training class, that applies positive reinforcement, punishment-free methods. It’s a terrific way for you to gain the confidence and experience you will need, to be the leader your dogs want to follow.

Want more training tips? Learn to train multiple dogs.

Follow Karen A. Soukiasian on Facebook

Save

Save

Save

Related Posts

  • Tips for training multiple dogs

    When training multiple dogs, it is important to understand each…

  • dog fetch home alone
    Dog training: Stop dog chasing

    Stop dog chasing by eliminating temptation and by training your…

  • Think of your leash as a telephone line to your dog. When you are walking your dog properly, you should both be relaxed. Your hands should be at waist level. Your dog should be at your left side...not in front of you...not behind you. Ideally, the leash should be relaxed enough so there is a U in the leash, between you and your dog.
    Dogs get more than just exercise from walking

    Dog walking benefits: Great exercise for both of you, bonding…

  • dog walking info
    7 tips to make the most of daily dog walks

    Try to take daily dog walks. Pick a place that's…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Dog training tips, Dog walks

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Yorkshire terrierPandemicOutdoor activitiesRescue dogOld dogsSocializationValentine's DayPawSeparation anxietyPotty trainingPet parentsSheddingThanksgivingPuppy kindergartenVeterinarianPomeranianWorking dogsPit bullPuppy-proofWatertraining tipsPetfinder.comSmall dogsService dogsPet sitterTwo dogsRottweilerTicksPoodleVacation dog care

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • How many words do dogs know? How smart is your pup?
    Research shows dog vocabulary includes command words, its name, and the names of objects. Use patience and repetition to teach dogs new words. […]
  • From pets to bed bug hunters: How dogs are trained for detection work
    Training bed bug detection dogs requires selecting the right breed. Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, or Belgian Malinois preferred. […]
  • Dog grooming: What you must know to keep your pet looking great
    Learn about the pros and cons of DIY pet grooming vs. professional pet groomers to help you make the best decision for your dog. […]
  • Perfect puppy: Try 4 methods of obedience training that work
    For a happy, long-lasting relationship with your pup, finding the best obedience training method for their breed is key. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.