Dog owners - is it possible to walk three dogs alone?

ebayaddict0127

I have two dogs and we're getting ready to foster another. With our first foster, I couldn't walk the three dogs at once. Two beagles who pull plus my little terrier = no way.

I'm sure it can be done. These aren't huge dogs. I want to exercise them and ME. If I take one or two at a time, the others left behind FREAK OUT.

Any tips?

Terrier = 15 lbs.
Beagle = 25 lbs.
Beagle (foster) = 25 lbs.

poohpoohpeapod

yes, be the leader and train them. I walked a GSD, a Bouvier and a bruard all close to 100lbs each. No issues. Only when Other untrained small dogs tried to attack one of them, even then I told her "Leave it" and luckily for the dachsund she did.

MadDogManor

<- beagle corgi mix on left is 40 lbs, spaniel mix in middle is 55lbs, and beagle on right is 25 lbs. good luck :-)

ebayaddict0127

My dogs are rescues who clearly have no prior training. I've tried to train them but been unsuccessful. And beagles are especially difficult.

ebayaddict0127

<- beagle corgi mix on left is 40 lbs, spaniel mix in middle is 55lbs, and beagle on right is 25 lbs. good luck :-)

Awwww! Cute babies!

MysteriousMerlin

Tips? Take two other people with you.

Mine are 4lbs, 11lbs, and 22lbs...it's NOT POSSIBLE. SOMEONE always ends up stepped on.

MadDogManor

My dogs are rescues who clearly have no prior training. I've tried to train them but been unsuccessful. And beagles are especially difficult.



Thanks :-) and I agree with your above statement - all three are rescues and rescue beagles can misbehave something awful lol

nomad1000

Not sure if this is feasible financially but get easy walk harnesses for them. They are the kind where the leash hooks in the front. These have made all the difference in walking my two pullers (45+ lb Pit mix and 60+ lb Boxer/Pointer mix).

https://www.edogsncats.com/images/EWHDogongrassCroppedLR.jpg

AABru

I have a lead that allows me to hook the dog collars together so that they have to walk abreast, but I never tried more than 2 (a shepherd and rottie mix: 175 pounds together). Maybe if you could hook two together and use a separate leash for the third? Good luck!

ironchick84

Bump

withabandon

If you have pullers, this harness is your friend:

http://www.petco.com/product/102822/PetSafe-Easy-Walk-Black-Dog-Harness.aspx

Doesn't encourage pulling and when they do, basically just pulls them around toward you. WAY safer than head halters which can damage the neck.

I walk one... I feel that three dogs would be a big task if there was some kind of stimulant and IF IT WERE ME, I would want another body/set of hands *just in case*.

doubleclick_darling

I would definitely want a second person at least to help handle the dogs.

I'm at my father's place for the week, and with the cold weather, it's my task to take the two dogs he has out with me on my walks to burn some energy off (usually he takes them down to the water and lets them splash around and run through the empty lot rat hunting). Both of them are pullers, which has been a bit of a hassle for me (the dog that occasionally joins me on a walk at my home walks a few feet in front and never pulls), but thankfully they respond to vocal cues (Easy/slow/'hey') to let them know to ease up. They're getting back into walking with me, and the only time it is really bad is when we get to where the coyotes will roam around the road at night, so they have to sniff and mark everything (lots of tugging, but it's always off the road) or if a car is coming and they are rushing to get off the road (neither one is fond of vehicles, but at least their not chasers).

When it was much worse though (aka they were younger), I would take them out separately (alone, they are fine. It's only together that they pull around) on shorter walks. So distance equaled out for me and they each got their walks without me having to deal with their pulling nonsense.

SingingSingleTracker

I have two dogs and we're getting ready to foster another. With our first foster, I couldn't walk the three dogs at once. Two beagles who pull plus my little terrier = no way.

I'm sure it can be done. These aren't huge dogs. I want to exercise them and ME. If I take one or two at a time, the others left behind FREAK OUT.

Any tips?

Terrier = 15 lbs.
Beagle = 25 lbs.
Beagle (foster) = 25 lbs.

Shock collars with a hand held remote. Found in the hunting/training section of a good sporting goods store. Expensive investment, but dogs all respond and will be putty in your hands.

mollywhippet

I only have two, and I can't walk them. One is 35 pounds and one is 25 pounds and they both pull like freight trains. If there happened to be a cat nearby, I'd be toast.

loriemn

of course you can..it doesnt matter if they are rescues or not..dogs dont know they are rescues..all they know is they are living somewhere different and with different people..they will respond differently to each new person..get good OB on each one seperatly..I mean really good OB..then start taking them out first two then three so YOU get used to them..I walk 3-4 German Shepherds all the time,,all together,and two are only 8 months old.

VegasFit

I can relate to this! Lol. I have four dogs and sometimes five because I foster so if I do walk I just do two at a time so no one is left home alone. I see people in my neighborhood walking three at a time and I always think how do the do it! I do have the remote tone/shock collar and it was about $100 online at Walmart. Worked well for behavior issues and the tone was sufficient.

squeakyfish

I walked my 2 greyhounds and a pug with no problems. I put the Grey's on a double lead and the pug on an extendable lead (the kind that feeds out.) That way it was easy to let the one go ahead while the other two sniffed everything in sight. Having the extendable leash made it easy to switch hands if they were to threaten entanglement. When I fostered, I would have 3 Greys and a pug. It all worked out just fine.

Booksandbeaches

I've done two dogs at a time ...Sheltie and a smaller dog...I've also walked two retrievers...but all the dogs were used to walking on a leash.

SomeNights246

Only if they are trained.

My family (together) had seven dogs at one point. My sister and I would often walk all seven at one time. She'd have three, I'd have four. We had no problem. They were, also, trained not to pull. ... And I trained them all without shock collars.

withabandon

Only if they are trained.

My family (together) had seven dogs at one point. My sister and I would often walk all seven at one time. She'd have three, I'd have four. We had no problem. They were, also, trained not to pull. ... And I trained them all without shock collars.

Happy to see that. IMHO physical correction does not replace correct operant conditioning training.

jasmineeatsfood

I think it's possible to walk all three at once if they are trained properly. I had to learn how leash train a very stubborn Malamute who refused to walk on a leash.

Whenever I felt one of my dogs start to pull I would stop and have them sit for a couple of seconds. I honestly can't remember the reasoning behind this but it helped with the pulling. I think I was taught that in a puppy class. It might be easier to use a coupler leash when it comes to walking multiple dogs at the same time.

It'd probably be easier to start off with one or two dogs and when you think you are ready add the third one. As long as the one/s waiting in the house are safe they'll be fine waiting alone in the house.

If it's possible I would recommend a professional trainer.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

GillianMcK

Never had a Beagle, but always been told that you don't let them off lead or they disappear (nose to ground and off they go), have you tried to find out if there a Cani-Cross group in your area, cani-cross is specifically for people running with dogs.
I walk a 115lb ridgeback, however he went to obedience from a puppy and will not let me out his sight (hiding behind trees is very entertaining), however beagle puppies that went to the same classes are still not allowed off lead just because of the reputation they have.
Cani-cross would probably be a good idea as they have the harnesses for the dogs that then attach to you, would probably take a bit of practice but sure Beagles could be encouraged to learn!!

withabandon

Shock collars with a hand held remote. Found in the hunting/training section of a good sporting goods store. Expensive investment, but dogs all respond and will be putty in your hands.

Spoken like a true novice. Shock collars are for people who have no idea how to train dogs, no desire to learn, and no interest in building a good relationship with their dog. In short, these are the people who should never have dogs. Ignore this advice please. Any other respectable trainer will tell you the same.

My dogs are rescues who clearly have no prior training. I've tried to train them but been unsuccessful. And beagles are especially difficult.

Beagles are very intelligent dogs, but notoriously stubborn. However, they are also well known for being highly food motivated. Use treats when working with them.

Also, I suggest enrolling in a positive reinforcement group obedience course. Do it with one and you will learn how to train the others. I also suggest getting 2 couplers so you're not holding 3 separate leashes. Here's a pic of me out walking with 4 of my dogs ranging in size from 70-85 lbs.

I think I love you. Took the words out of my mouth.

I am also really impressed to see you promote positive reinforcement while owning a breed that is so typically trained with physical correction!

Zomoniac

Should be fine. I used to walk my (now all departed) quartet of hyperactive nutjobs (two dalmatians, a lurcher and a deerhound) alone without a problem.

geebusuk

Yes; I used to walk my St bernard/Rotweiller cross (100lb or so), a friend's Akita (93lb, say) and another friend's GSD/Rottweiller cross (85lb) together.
My dog walks to heal fine, though can still be a bit dog aggressive if not reminded (massively better than when I got him). The GSD/Rottie is mostly trained but a bit too enthusiastic/cheeky and walks better off lead (which wasn't happening when I've got two other dogs) and the Akita is barely trained and pretty stubborn - won't walk to heal, pulls on the lead etc.
Walking through the Asian areas of town around where I lived the streets would magically clear for me with getting on for 300lb of dog .

yes, be the leader and train them.

This too is generally depreciated with current training methodology focusing on getting the dog to WANT to please you by doing the right thing.

Previous owner of my dog only walked him with a halti because he pulled so much. I never used it and fairly quickly got him to walk to heal.
When I had the aforementioned Akita for a couple of weeks, even got her walking to heal, though needed reminding ever 100 meters or so to drop back a little - unfortunately the owner didn't continue training, so I haven't bothered when I've looked after her again.

Finally; should be noted that even when I wasn't doing weights etc, I'm reasonably strong - I can pull back big dogs.

BUT, really what I'd be doing is focusing on training the dogs - all of them - to walk to heal appropriately.
I'd say start with clicking training if this hasn't been used and work from there.

Shriffee

I have two dogs, one is a shepherd/hound mix and one a chihuahua. The shepherd mix is a puppy still and will pull if she gets excited by something. I recommend a good harness!!! Petsmart's EasyWalk harness is fabulous!!!!

jonnyman41

Of course it is possible with well trained dogs. Every night when I am out dog walking I pass a man who walks between 3 and 5 dogs on his own, a mix of collies and german Shepard but.......these are really well behaved. Meanwhile I am passing him usually with just one of my dogs as they are not so well trained and both are big strong dogs so I normally walk alone unless doing a really quick walk or going somewhere where one of the dogs can run off lead (he is great off lead!!!) but other dog has to stay on lead.
Both are adult rescue and have improved since we got them but think we have hit the limit. Saying that the bigger dog walks fine on her own, no pulling as she is the pack leader of the two so is not trying to take the lead when its just her.

roxylola

Beagles are easy enough to heel train - mine is a rescue - totally food motivated she walks great to heel, off lead is a bit more interesting!

Invest some time in training each dog individually - like a few months and it will pay off in triplicate. You will have dogs who are a pleasure to walk and to work with.

I walk my beagle, my springer and my house mate's stafford all together both on and off lead and have no problem.

misschoppo

I walk my 4 dogs together at the same time. I have 2 chihuahuas aged 3 and 4, 1 working cocker spaniel 9months old and a 5yr old cockapoo who was crossed with a standard poodle so he is pretty large. All 4 have been trained to walk well from day 1 including the little ones so they are no trouble, even with the pup who is still pretty excitable, they are manageable.

SingingSingleTracker

Spoken like a true novice. Shock collars are for people who have no idea how to train dogs, no desire to learn, and no interest in building a good relationship with their dog. In short, these are the people who should never have dogs. Ignore this advice please. Any other respectable trainer will tell you the same.

Not true. My labs are well trained bird hunting dogs and I never have to shock them, the warning tone is all that is needed if they get too far out of range. I trained them without the collars, but use them mainly to protect them from other hunters and them getting too excited by various wildlife that they may give chase to when out on the hunt. There is no leash law in my town, but dogs must be walked and "in control". Having the collars to use the warning tone in case they are tempted to venture up into a yard or out in the street has worked for 10 years when I walk them off leash. It's also a common use for pet containment systems in yards that don't have fences. We don't have the pet containment system in our yard as the dogs are well trained and will not venture outside of the yard.

Collars are one more addition to a trainer's toolkit for controlling animals. Be it for pet containment systems, hunters, or dog walkers in areas that allow off leash dogs.

Myths of shock collars here...

http://www.chicagonow.com/training-the-wolf/2013/07/shock-collars-myths/