[Tommy]

I have walked my husky’s on my left side regardless of the number.

I think it’s more natural, training them one by one on the left side and then putting them together on the left.

It made it easier to command them to pull uphill and Walk behind me down hill.

[Gene]

So what I would try is walk with the leashes in each hand close to your chest/stomach and when you feel a slight pull drop the hand down to give the leash some slack and then pop the leash. Another thing I would do, which maybe is a better choice, is work with the dominant dog alone to curb his pulling. When he gets it the other should follow along.

[Ed]

I think the recommendation is to only walk multiple dogs at once when they perfect at walking, which means at that point there would not be corrections. I used to walk one dog on each side, but then with 3 I changed to all on the left. I have not tried to walk more than 3 because it would probably get too iffy to hold that many adult dogs back.

As a side note, when you walk more than one dog, if they get into a scuffle or even a bark and lunge thing, you are very limited on what you can do — that, to me, is the biggest issue with walking more than one dog at once. Also their personalities change. You can have a perfect one dog walking and you add a second dog and now he may be all over the place. Good luck. Hope it helps a bit.

One more thing. With multiple dogs, you risk redirection as well. So it would be important to be able to stop behaviors by voice.

[Nicole]

I would recommend lots and lots of practice with the dogs on leash in your yard or another low distraction environment. I have 4 dogs. The 4th was a last minute rescue with behavior issues and easily treatable worm and intestinal infection. My dogs are a retired service dog Chihuahua, a working service dog Doberman, a 7 almost 8 month old Black Mouth Cur, and the recent rescue. I found that the biggest hurdle is simply me learning to handle multiple dogs on leashes at the same time. The Chihuahua goes on a longer line which is the most awkward with three dogs ranging from 41 pounds up. I have them all walk on the left. I try to keep 100 percent of my focus on them. As soon as one charges forward we turn and we practice turning in both directions and making sudden changes in direction often before anyone charges ahead. The handles of the leashes are in my right hand and separated a bit with my left hand fingers ready to drop some from my left temporarily if I need to in order to give one a correction. It is a bit of awkward puppeteering at times. I also have good verbal control and communication with the dogs. I am also paying very close attention should they decide to show the slightest sign of unwanted behavior and ready to address that quickly. The Doberman and Black Mouth Cur are worked on opposite sides for public access and again my focus is on them ready to correct via mostly verbally for not behaving according to service dog standards. Frequently verbally praising the dogs for good behavior. With the rescue dog in non public access settings with everyone else along I am currently not able to use food off property or on property as he has food resource guarding issues that are being addressed. Walking multiple dogs on leash, in my opinion and experience, is a skill that takes lots and lots of just getting out there and practicing as it is not something that is just about the dogs learning to walk together but much more the handler getting the practice of learning to handle and manage multiple dogs at once which takes lots and lots of practice and focus on the part of the handler and the more dogs added the harder it is (I personally would not walk more than 6 together and would not recommend most people walk more than two). I know this is a long post but maybe you can find something that might help you. There is no easy answer other than practice, practice, practice and practice and keep all your focus on the dogs…it is not easy and walking multiple dogs together is not for everyone. Good luck.

[Lane]

Hey there,

We have 2 sibling GSM 16mo old, I started out walking them together with a halter between the two on my left side. The halter has a ring in the mid. 2 snap hooks one at each end, with their choke chains, it allows them ab 10″ in-between the shoulders. I shorten the leash when needed in heal position. Now days they mind well with out the halter on separate leashes. They both walk on the left side in a loose heal or a tight one at my hip, the close heal is a wee bit more demanding of the two, for lead position.

Regards, Goose & Maverick.

[Gretchen]

I see it’s been a month since this post, but thought I would share what I do. Firstly, I have to admit where I live I don’t have to have them on a leash… However, when I visit my son in a city neighborhood, I use retractable leashes. The baby needs her “going to town” Herm Springer collar, my other does not. They have several commands, this is key. The obvious ones, “let’s go”, “leave it”. The most important is “car” this is extreme “come” for when a car goes by, every time a car goes by they must come to me and sit – unless we are on a busy street and then, they must be on a “heel close”. “Heel Close” they learned by me having my hands in their collars for many months of conditioning. The second most important command is “too far” and “No”, this means they get to the end of the leash. Teaching this requires the Herm Springer to give a correction, “No”, they stop pulling, then, reward, “Yes”. If this isn’t possible, use a 30 ft leash in a park for enough sessions for them to understand “too far”. I learned leash walking should be taught walking backwards with the dog following. This step is important. The last command is “stop pulling”, if we are walking along while they are allowed to be out sniffing and are pushing the limit, but not actually pulling on my arm yet. These commands took weeks of multiple a day conditioning. I don’t walk on 6 ft leashes unless I am in a city center and then, I always use the Herm Springers where there is no chance of them pulling, lunging or even thinking they can go visit with another doggie friend. I also walk them both on the same side when on the short leashes. They are not allowed to sniff or potty only “heel”. Hope these added commands can help you!