Dogs are currently the national favorite when it comes to pets – so much so that many people share their homes with more than one. Living with two (or more!) dogs undoubtedly multiplies the amount of love and companionship, but also care. One of the main challenges faced by owners of multiple dogs is conducting daily walks efficiently and safely.
But don’t worry! With some specific strategies and training, it’s possible to turn this activity into a pleasant experience for everyone. Walking two dogs at the same time not only saves time, but also promotes socialization and physical exercise for your pets, contributing to a harmonious and healthy coexistence. With the right approach and starting at home, challenges can be transformed into opportunities to strengthen the bond with your dogs and ensure their well-being.
TRAINING BEFORE THE STREET
Teaching your pet how to behave on walks is like training someone to get a driver’s license: you give the first lessons in quiet places so that he is prepared for what needs to be done on busy roads. Starting to train your dog on the street is a common mistake. There are distractions and the dog cannot concentrate. So, start at home and with one dog at a time.
WAIT FOR THE CALM
The first step is to make your dog associate the walk with something calm. So, before getting him used to going out, only put the leash on him when he is calm. Dogs, especially those who don’t walk much, tend to get quite excited when they realize they are going for a walk. And the excitement increases when they have a companion along for the ride. Walking new dogs in the family increases their enthusiasm for the walk and, as a result, they are more relaxed. This moment tends to be calmer when both dogs are already used to walking alone.
HOW TO WEAR A COLLAR
Another tip to help your pet relax is to let him play around the house wearing the collar. Play with him or offer him something he likes, such as a treat. This way, he will stop paying attention to the accessory and will associate it with pleasant moments. This is because it is necessary for the dog to be used to and comfortable using the equipment.
Then, it’s time to teach him to walk beside you. Decide which side you want him to walk on (no tegra!) and repeat the training as desired.
When you are walking your pet calmly at home, pay attention to the dog pulling on the leash. To prevent your dog from getting used to this bad habit, stop walking every time he pulls. As soon as the dog starts to pull on the leash, the owner should stop immediately, but without jerking him. When he stops pulling and the leash is loose, bring him back to your side and continue.
Finally, teaching some basic commands, such as “sit”, “lie down” and “stay”, also helps when walking, as they encourage self-control (and can even be used in times of possible fights between them or with another animal on the street).
Once your pets are proficient at home training, it’s time to head out onto the street – one at a time.
CHOOSING A GUIDE AND A LOCATION
Fixed leashes of 1.5 to 2 m are the most suitable for both dogs, as short or retractable leashes encourage dogs to pull on them all the time. As for the material, avoid those made of rope or chain, as they tend to hurt the hand, especially when the dog pulls unexpectedly.
One option is the joint leash, which consists of a single leash with two branches at the end (like a “Y”). Each branch is attached to each pet’s collar and the single portion of the leash remains in the handler’s hand. However, it is important to note that this equipment is not suitable for all dogs. The joint leash is recommended for dogs that do not pull during walks, as it does not offer individual control over the pets.
Another precaution that the owner must take is to choose a quiet street. Keep in mind that the more stimuli, the harder it will be for the dog to concentrate and perform the exercise. Start by taking one at a time and repeat the commands at home – and don’t forget to reward him for each correct answer.
THREE-PARTY TOUR
The moment to reunite the animals will only happen after several repetitions with each one walking individually on the street, that is, when you feel that they are experts in self-control to behave impeccably in the presence of their furry companion.
There are two options to choose from: you can walk with one dog on each side – holding a leash in each hand – or with both dogs on one side, depending on how you trained them at home or their personality. Holding a leash in each hand makes it easier to walk and prevents one dog from overtaking the other. Therefore, each dog should walk on one side. This will also help if the dogs are different sizes and will prevent the leashes from getting tangled up in each other.
If the leashes get tangled, the owner should stop in a safe place to untangle them and maintain control over the dogs. To do this, take the pets to a quieter place, without too much stimulation and ask the commands ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ to untangle the leashes.
RED ALERT
To avoid fights, pets need to be well socialized with each other. If they live in harmony at home, it is unlikely that they will fight on the street, but if this happens, separate them by their leashes. And avoid trying to break up the fight by holding them directly.
This rule is valid to prevent you from getting bitten and should be applied to break up fights between your pets and others that may cross your path. At the time, there is nothing you can do other than to keep them from getting hurt by separating them. The ideal is prevention to prevent situations like this from happening. In addition to training your furry friends beforehand, pay attention to street dogs. If you are walking and see a dog without a leash or an aggressive dog, cross the street and change course.
PART OF THE ROUTINE
The number and duration of walks depends on the size and disposition of each dog. If you have two dogs of very different sizes, you may need to walk one of them more times throughout the day. A good duration for a walk is 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size, age and physical condition of the pet.
In addition, walks should be taken before 10 am and after 4 pm, to protect the dog from the intense sun. And never right after meals, to avoid gastric torsion.
Finally, avoid leaving out this essential part of your furry friend’s routine, as a lack of walks can lead to health and behavioral problems for them – and a lot of headaches for you! In addition to making it difficult for them to socialize, a lack of outings can facilitate the emergence of behavioral and psychogenic problems (when the psychological factor manifests itself physically), such as skin infections caused by licking. The other loss is in terms of physical health. A lack of walks can lead to obesity in your pet, which can lead to secondary diseases.