Should I walk my dogs together?

From an average dog loving owner

As with all my posts about dogs, I like to emphasize I have no professional training and am writing this from the prospective of an average dog owner who does not have hours of time a day to train my dogs. I also am not interested in having perfectly well behaved dogs, only dogs who can handle the travel and adventures that we desire to share with them! On to the question I have been pondering this week. Should I walk my dogs separately or together? The answer is both! I need to know that my dogs can handle walking together without overwhelming me but I also use individual walks to provide my dogs with the particular outlets they need for the day.

Benefits of walking dogs together.

It is important that my dogs know how to behave when they have each other to distract one another and make my life stressful. I try my hardest to walk them twice a day but if I am honest it tends to be once a day so I try to alternate between duel and individual walks. I am really glad that I had recently invested in Wilder Dog's convertible leashes that make it possible to walk both of them on the same leash without giving me rope burn or have to hold two leashes. I am not sponsored but I do really like their products. This option can be very frustrating due to tangling that tends to happen with two dogs. But this leash photographed above actually makes it easy for them to move back and forth as they explore the neighborhood without having to untangle leashes.

Now the obvious benefit of this option is only doing one walk for both dogs as well. If I don't have a long while to give them then this does the trick for getting the dogs out and mentally stimulated so they are ready for some sleeping alone time. This is also my "better than nothing" option. Similar to your own fitness goals, something is ALWAYS better than nothing and you only have so many hours in a day.

My little lady Lassen is also only 8 months old currently and this option also gives her a look at the well behaved big brother to realize how she is supposed to behave in public. and on a leash. This can make a huge impact as your younger dogs are getting older. I also grab a ton of treats to make sure to reward them for lose leashes and eye contact.

Benefits of walking them separately.

Ultimately this comes down to customization for their walks! I can make sure I am refining their behavior on leashes and rewarding good behavior with undivided attention. Walking them independently also solidifies their bond with me. I want to make sure that they know I am there to support them and when we explore the world they can trust me to keep them safe and so we can have fun together!

I think this option, when I have time, allows me to make sure each of them is getting their needs met. Both of my dogs are rescues and mixes but different breeds and ages require different energy outputs. For Zion, (my pitty mix) he needs very little actually walking and exercise BUT his needs are met better spending Large amount of time sniffing his surroundings. I used to take him on walks around the neighborhood but in the last 6 months I have noticed a lap around the park in front of our house sniffing around for 15 minutes does more for him. I have noticed a difference in his demeanor and need for naps since converting to sniff walks.

Lassen, however, is an 8 month old Sheppard mix and she requires at least a 20 minute long walk. I also am training her on leash etiquette still and she is very stubborn in her ways so she requires a lot more attention. Individual walks allows me to give her that time. She is also very reactive to dogs and allowing me to train her focus on me when ANY animal is around is a task for sure. Specially if you have a puppy, I really recommend doing both types of walking to really make sure your dog is ready for the world. I know Lassen is still a very good dog compared to some but she is a big challenge compared to my chill boy. Spending time doing independent walks has really given me perspective on my dogs needs and may provide you an opportunity to see what your individual dog's needs are.