Hi all. I would be so grateful for any help you could give me with this. We have two 2-year old black labs from the same litter - with the benefit of hindsight, probably not an ideal situation although they are lovely girls in (almost!) every way. However, they are absolutely frightful to walk together on the lead - twice a day sees me being dragged around the park as though I'm on waterskis! Individually, they walk well and to heel (one of them was recently 'off sick' with a cruciate ligament injury, so their exercise needs differed dramatically, resulting in separate outings each day), but together is a nightmare. They are both a delight 'off lead', but turn into a sled team once harnessed again. Please help! Many thanks. Best regards, Rob
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Although I don't have 2 dogs I do have a dog and a 3 year old son. Separately they walk well together they are a nightmare. I would say persistence, patience and short leads. Best of luck!
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Hi Bob , do you use collars or harness ? I know that a lot of dogs walk better on a front fastening harness , it might be something to consider ? I would do some very short training walks with them both, just ten mins at a time , stop dead the moment they begin to pull and dont move for a minute or two , even change direction at times . It sounds like excitement to me , they are fuelling each other and feeding off one another , you are right, two pups together can be blinkin hard work but they will get there and your arms will survive
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Hi bob I have two three year old male labs from the same litter. Once they got stronger than me I started using gentle leaders. They have always walked well together on lead with a collar or with the gentle leader but the gentle leader means they can't tow me if they see something they want to get to and if they suddenly pull because,for example the cat has shot out, I'm not going to go flying. They've had gentle leaders from about 8 months and accepted them easily. Some people only use head collars to train not to pull. I've kept using mine for safety just incase although hopefully one day they will calm down. :
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) I walk two 12 month old labs (Tatze and Zaba, he friend) often. Both have the Easy Walk front fastening harness and they do really well. Zaba still needs treats to remind him to walk to heel as he's VERY excitable out and about. I put the harness on upside down as it fits better!
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Hi guys. Thank you for all your helpful suggestions. We do have both collars and harnesses (although not the front fastening kind, so I shall certainly take a look at those) - I think you're right Kate, in that they are excited and certainly do egg each other on. The training walks are an excellent idea, too. I had never heard of 'easy leaders' before today, Jen, so thank you for that information - I will be doing a spot of research on them this evening. The girls are incredibly strong now and we have the same safety concerns as you do, as my wife isn't able to hold them (particularly when a squirrel hoves into view!). Lots of food for thought here - I will let you know how I fare. Thank you so much again. Best regards, Rob
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Hi again guys As promised, a quick update. We have reached Day 4 with our Gentle Leaders - they really are absolutely amazing! Sid (our worst culprit for putting her head down and ploughing full steam ahead) is now a joy to walk and trots cheerfully alongside her sister with us. Both girls are only to happy to wear the Leaders (although we take them off when they're off lead) and adapted very quickly to them. Very grateful thanks for all your advice. Tranquility has been restored to the Holden household! Best regards, Rob.
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Good news! Might need to try them myself when Lilly's cousin comes to stay. I swear they egg each other on.
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Hi Rob. I'm really glad the gentle leaders have helped. I'm always a bit worried about reccomending things incase they don't work so it's great to know they are working for your two. Is your wife finding it easier to walk them ? I did try a halti first. They tighten and slacken as the dog pulls rather than staying the same tightness all the time. It sounds a better idea but I found when they walked with the halti slack it rode up and Scott ended up with a bald patch under his eye. Also I think they found the alteration of the nose band size irritating. They rubbed at them which they rarely do with the gentle leader. My friend recommended the gentle leader as she uses them to walk her two rottweillers. I figured if they work for two massive rotties they should work for two labs.
Re: Walking two labs together (or them walking me!) Great to hear that you've found a solution My dog gets walked a couple of times a week as part of a large group (by a dog walking company) and they use gentle leaders. They walk in groups of three dogs with up to six dogs per human. Never a problem.
