You’ll hear me mention my husky sister on this blog quite often. Now is one of those times. When she came to live with us, it forced our humans to quickly learn how to walk two dogs who pull at the same time.
Personally, I’m a sniffer and my sister is a natural born puller. Perfecting our morning walks was not easy – but we did it.
How do you walk two dogs who pull at the same time?
You can easily walk two dogs at once by first teaching proper leash protocol to your dogs at different times. It will be best if you have help, so recruit a friend to assist in the beginning. You will need to choose between one leash or two separate leashes. Try both forms of equipment before you fully commit. And don’t forget the treats!
Disclaimer: The Can My Dog articles contain information based on the individual research and opinions of the author of the site – who just so happens to be a dog. How you utilize the information given is completely up to you. Proceed at your own risk.
Implement the following 4 steps into your dog training protocol:
| Step 1 | Teach your dogs proper leash protocol – separately |
| Step 2 | Recruit a friend to help |
| Step 3 | Try various leashes and equipment |
| Step 4 | Have your pockets lined with treats during the training phase. |
I’ll be the first one to admit that I can act a bit crazy on a leash. 90% of the time I’m a perfect angel, holding on for dear life to my mothers every word.
Other times, I smell cats.
This can get especially chaotic when my sister, Callie, smells with me. You see, she’s a husky – a dog bred specifically for pulling. Teaching her leash manners is the equivalent of asking a quantum physicists who won the NBA finals four years ago. The two just don’t mix, or care for that matter.
Nevertheless, I have full confidence that if me and my sister, along with all the other overly excited pullers out there, can overcome our weaknesses and become the ‘best-est’ walkers in all the land – then so can you and your dogs!
Keep it Simple When Training Your Dogs
I don’t even know what else to say here. The heading pretty much sums it up. Over complicating things for you and your dog only add a pinch of stress to a dash of crazy. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Teach your dogs with consistency and repetition.
It’s no easy feat to properly train two dogs to walk who pull on a regular occurrence.
There is no secret formula. Basic, tried and true methods are what we’re highlighting in this post.
Teach Proper Leash Protocol to Each Dog Separately
If you really want to go crazy, try training two dogs at once. I promise you’ll only attempt this the one time. Remember the “keep it simple” super top secret technique I mentioned two paragraphs ago? Yeah, here’s another place it applies.
Teaching your dog leash manners is crucial to training in general. This is quite literally the benchmark and foundation, so take your time and do this part right.
What you’ll need:
- Tiny treats
- Leash
- Hallway
- Dog
Leash your dog and begin to walk. If they begin to pull, stop walking until the leash has slack. Once you’re walking and the leash has slack, praise your pooch and give them a treat. Repeat this process over and over again. Even if you feel like you’re praising and giving treats every two seconds.
This shows positive reinforcement for when the leash has slack = no pulling. Simple as that. Just remember, if they start pulling, stand still until the slack is back.
Pro tip: make sure when you’re giving them a treat that they come back to you to accept it. Don’t walk towards them with the treat.
Recruit a Spouse or Friend to Help Train Your Dog
You’re trying to teach two dogs who pull to walk at the same time, right? Well, this can’t be dog-group effort. Again, pinch of salt and a dash of crazy.
Make things easy on you by only having to focus on one pup at a time. Have your friend take the other dog to another hallway to work on the exact same thing.
Congregate and show off later.
Equipment Needed When Training Two Dogs To Walk Together
Let’s pretend your dog is on the stubborn side.
*cough* Callie *cough*
There’s a possibility you may have to resort to various pieces of equipment designed specifically for what you’re trying to achieve here.
I’m only going to list one below because it comes highly regarded and I personally think it works the best.
Drum roll, please……
The Dog Head Halter or Gentle Leader.
The thing looks super crazy on, but don’t let that keep you from testing this bad boy out. It truly works wonders! The premise is that every time your dog begins to pull, their head gets pulled down and back.
I don’t know about you, but this is going to make me stop pulling. After all, a dog has a tendency to follow in the direction that their head is going. You’re not going to catch me out here walking in circles like some crazy wild animal or something!
Let’s lay some basic ground rules for the gentle leader first:
- Never use this with a retractable leash.
- Do NOT pull or jerk your pups leash with the head halter on (this could cause serious damage to our necks).
- Never leave it on your pup unattended. This is a focused, on-purpose method. Be mindful.
Conclusion
Let me reiterate that this is no simple feat and your sled dog crew most likely won’t be perfected in a day. This takes time but it is SO worth it in the end. Just imagine all the wonderful walks you and your two pups can go on without you seemingly strapped to a couple of rockets on roller blades.
Take this one day at a time with one pup at a time. Once they’ve both individually perfected the leash manners and training, then and only then do you want to begin dual testing protocols.
Oh, and don’t forget – tiny treats can be your best friend in all training scenarios.
As always my lovely human friends, Live, Love, Laugh, and Scratch our bellies often!
Love you guys,
JTB
P.S. If you’re new to this world, you may want to check out my Ultimate Guide for First Time Dog Parents. It’s a great reference to get you started on this journey.
Related Questions
How Long Does it Take for Two Dogs to Get Used to Each Other?
Introducing a new dog to your family that currently already comes with a dog can be a stressful undertaking. Especially if you’re unsure as to how your current dog will react to the addition of your new dog.
With patience and a little coaxing, you can expect your two dogs to get used to each other in about one month.
In some cases this can be an immediate acceptance and in others it could take longer depending on the breed and personality of either dog.
Keep this time frame in mind before deciding that your new dog just won’t work in your family. Dog’s need to adjust and find their places in a pack. This takes time. Have patience anytime you’re introducing something new like this to your old dog.
Are Dogs Happier in Pairs?
Dogs are social creatures and need interactive company for consistent mental and physical engagement. Because of this, most dogs are indeed happier in pairs.
Disclaimer: This is not ALWAYS the case. Some dogs are loners and act more like cats. Some dogs prefer humans to other dogs. You know your dog best. Use your best judgement before making the decision to add another dog to your family.
The benefits of adding another dog to your family can far outweigh the cons. If your dog is acting lonely or is being left at home most of the day due to your current working conditions, then giving them a companion could be one of the best gifts they could receive.
Adding another dog to your family is not something that should be taken lightly and without consideration. You will need patience, time, and diligent effort to make this work.
It is important to think about what breed of dog would fit best with your current one. Character traits and behaviors are imperative to smooth sailing when it comes to introducing something new like this to your dog.
Tips to introducing a new dog to your current one:
- Introduce the two dogs in a dog park (neutral ground). This will keep your old dog from becoming territorial.
- Let the dogs explore each other.
- Now take both dogs to your home.
- Continue to supervise their interaction and play time.
- Give them both separate food and water bowls.
While there are many benefits to adding another dog to your family (especially if you’re rescuing one), you must still fully consider your existing “pack” (humans included) before taking the leap. Is this a good decision? Will all parties involved benefit from the addition?
If yes, then move slowly, stay consistent, and patient!
