Walking multiple dogs

[Tigra]

Have any of you any techniques for walking more than three dogs at a time?...there are times when I need to walk with five dogs..and I always manage to get the leads tangled..and when one of them stops for a poo...well, it's a right muddle. How do you all cope who have several dogs..I know many have as many as 5,6,or even 7 at a time. Any tips? Thanks

[2tuxedos]

I've only 3 dogs but bought a walking belt which has made it much easier as I can have both hands free & no worry of dropping the leads. 2 of my dogs are very reactive to cats (loads round home) and I feel more confident now if they get silly & being attached at waist is surprisingly more balanced than usual, the belt has rubber bungee to absorb strain though I do also still use my hands to reel them in. The leads can tangle if your dogs tend to weave in & out of each other.

I bought my belt from www.sassdogequipment.co.uk but are others on the market often aimed at sled dog owners, ones for running I.e cani-x tend to be bit different design to stop it riding up.

[planete]

I have now found that the quickest way to keep multiple dogs under control is to teach them to stay behind me at all times. It is quicker to teach than the usual "heel" and loose lead walking. I can manage three dogs in one hand and any attempt by any of them to get past me to 'have a go' gets a fierce "get back!" from me. I will actually turn round to face them and glare at them with one hand raised in a stop gesture if necessary. So far it is working. I also work on "leave" at home with treats and will hopefully be able to use it to reinforce the message eventually. I used to tie the dogs to my waist until I realised that my 8 stones would literally leave the ground if a concerted lunge by more than one dog happened. My arms have more shock absorbing power than my body and give me a chance to reel them back in before I am flat on my face. The actual tangling problem seems to happen less with the dogs behind me but goes with the job I am afraid, you just get used to stopping from time to time and sorting it out. (Isn' t it lovely when they have trussed you up like a chicken?) .  You could of course tie the dogs in couples but I am always worried about their necks being injured and possible disagreements between them.

[kamkay]

I'm such an amateur that my one can tie me in knots:-)

[sharonhigh45]

I have two one old and one young but have no problems, sorry no advice.

[lurchernut]

I manage by not using leads that have the normal small type handle. My leads are all open loop leads, and I became adept quite quickly at switching them back and forth in front and behind me without dropping one or them getting tangled. I also found it much easier to have the leads colour coded to the hound, eg Poppy is red lead, Kobi brown, Kuno, black and Tinks green etc. that way it is easy for me to know which loop of lead belonged to which dog. I know that if they were attached to my waist I would either be flat on my face or spun around in different directions, and I would not feel in control at all

[gazer]

I also have different coloured leads, it helps as you immediately know which lead to move when the dogs change direction, stop etc.  I have 3 dogs but don't often walk all 3 together as the girls can be too reactive and if I then have Alfie, who is a babe on a lead, he may get pulled about whilst I'm trying to sort the girls out.

Best advice I can give is to know your dogs, who does what when, who reacts, who pulls, gobs off and so on, then you just stay one step ahead of them dealing with any problems along the way.

If you have one of these rare packs that are all good, non reactive walkers then it should be easy peasy.

Good luck and have fun

[deborahburt]

I like the idea of different coloured leads. Think I'll be stealing that idea.

[vickyb]

I used to have different coloured leads when they were young and we had 5. Now we're down to 4 and they're a bit older they all have the same. I don't feel like a maypole as often now  
I like the leads that have a spongy plastic in the handle. At first I thought they'd be too thick for my hand to hold them all but I prefer the thickness, I find it easier to grip them and very I rarely drop them, they're more comfortable as I have arthritis in both hands too and I get less lead burns if someone does lunge. 
I find they fall into formation these days and tend to walk in the same sort of order usually, a bit like getting them out of the car, we now have a controlled exit but they always get out in the same order - which they sorted out themselves.