Re: Walking two dogs on leash

In Reply to: Walking two dogs on leash
Category:   General Training
Posted by:  herta blye
Posted on:  March 26, 2003 at 11:02:32

: Hello, I'm still visiting this site every day enjoying your forum and learning! One thing though I have not seen addressed - I want to walk my two dogs together. Peppi, my Beagle girl, 2 1/2 old, walks for miles with me every day, wearing a Muzzle from Italy - the one where she can open her mouth, tongue out, and drink - b/c she picks up everything she sniffs and eats it, getting sick. She's sweet. Fritzie, my little JRT girl, age unknown b/c she was abandoned and found, is sweet and adores Peppi, but never gets to walk since she's so good in the house, free and loose. Peppi has her fenced indoor area. They play on an fenced in large deck most of the day when I'm home. Now: Fritzie became a little chubby over this long cold winter. So today I tried a home made Y-leash and walked them together and all was fine! Not one growl. Fritzie leads - she was excited to be along for the walk. Question: What is a good way to walk 2 dogs, 15 lbs and 25 lbs, for about 2 miles a day, together? Today's system worked, but it was handcrafted by me from an old choker, used like a Y-leash. Something more elegant would be appreciated. And: I feel the two were happy together, they still played together after the walk without picking on each other. Thank you!

Response:

Hi Herta,

The elegant name for your Y-leash is a "coupler." A coupler has the same shape -- the leash attaches to the bottom of the "Y" and then attaches to the two collars which are the two ends of the "Y." If Peppi and Fritzie are willing and able to walk together with your handcrafted coupler then I suggest you continue to use it.

Just a thought -- Fritzie's prescence (and leadership) on these walks may be sufficient to divert Peppi's attention enough so she doesn't ingest everything she smells. And therefore, doesn't need to wear a muzzle...? :-)