Have you recently brought a second pooch into your household? If so, you get to enjoy twice the cuteness, and twice the love. However, taking two dogs out for a walk at the same time can get a bit tricky. Here, a Cherry Hill, NJ vet offers some tips for walking Fido and Spot together.
Training
The best way for you to make doggy-walking time go more smoothly is to properly train your canine buddies. Make sure both of your dogs will heel and walk on a loose leash. Work with both of your furry pals individually before trying to walk them together.
Breaking Bad Habits
Do your canine companions sometimes yank on their leashes? Every time your dog does this, immediately stop and change direction. Training can get a bit tiresome, but it’s worth it. Sooner or later, your pup will figure out that yanking on the leash will not get him where he wants to go. As mentioned above, it’s best to work with each dog individually.
Bossiness
You may find that one of your pooches becomes the ‘boss dog’ and tends to take the lead. Plus, sometimes your pets may want to go in opposite directions. This can actually be quite dangerous, as you and/or your four-legged buddies can get jerked around and/or tangled up. If your dogs are overly energetic, play with them before you walk them. This will (hopefully) calm them down a bit.
Gear
You may find it easier to use two identical leashes. However, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. If Fido likes one type of leash, while Spot prefers another, go with your pets’ preferences.
Build Up
Start with short walks. As your canine pals get accustomed to walking together, you can gradually increase the length of your strolls.
Treats
Keep things positive by incorporating treats into your walks. Always bring along some snacks for your furry buddies. Also, if a walk is going well, head for home while things are going smoothly, so you can end on a ‘pawsitive’ note.
Patience
When it comes to teaching dogs anything, patience is key. It may take some time for Fido and Spot to sync up and get used to dual walks. Don’t give up! Sooner or later, most dogs will get onboard with the idea.
Please contact us, your Cherry Hill, NJ vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!
