Hi

I walk 4 greyhounds all together, 2 in each hand. I know this sounds daft but they know where they should be. Billy far left, Whoopie next to him, then me in the middle, Maisie next to me on the right and Gilly next to her.

I walk all three in one hand - but they are all gentle walkers.

The dogs are always on my left.

If we are somewhere busy I take the leads in my right hand and draw the dogs in to my left hand side with my left hand.  If we are somewhere less busy I have all leads in my left hand and the dogs have a bit more room to move around sniffing etc.

Like you I have often wondered how people manage the poop scooping with 8 or 10 dogs.  Mine tend to move forward after they have done what they needed to, and I have to pull them back a bit for me to pick up.  Pulling 8 or 10 dogs back would take some effort.

Dave told me that Esther's dogs are all very well trained.  Perhaps Esther has managed to train them to pick up after themselves as well.    That would be a trick worth learning - wouldn't it? 

Dave wrote:

When walking loads of dogs on lead my motto is 'take no prisoners' just takes one of them to play up and yer in a mess, they soon learn!!...

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Dave you have obviously seen me out walking my gang!!!!! What a mess I get into, cos on the way home, they decided its play time!!!!

No wonder my neighbours think I should be locked up!

Dawn x

you have me intrigued now Fiona as to why you are so keen to find out.....

I don't really like walking more than 2 at once, but mainly because Oscar has issues with other dogs, so if a foster also has dog/cat issues, there's a bit of a control issue. I have walked 3 at once on many an occasion and it's OK most of the time, but you need to have your wits about you all the time, plus an extra pair of hands would be good!

 

Very envious of dave's big garden . I don't have a garden at all at the mo (been looking to move for about 2 years, but not found anything we like!), so it does mean a lot of walking!

Yes - different coloured leads are essential.  That's how I keep track of who's where and what's what!

Sim's lead is purple, Suzie's lead is red and Skipper's lead is brown.

 

I'm giving the neighbours a great laugh just trying to walk two at the moment. Sunny is quite keen and likes to walk in front. Its just been me and her for ages and i walk really fast anyway. But now we have introduced Lady who is our foster dog and she walks really slow and likes to take her time, so theres me one in each hand being stretched in different directions. Any advice?

Landess Sunny and Lady

 

I've only got the two to walk - Ruby ranges about and sniffs everything - Bob sticks so close that the only way to walk him is to let his lead dangle between us so he feels it against his side - otherwise he is so close it's hard not to step on his paws!

It's a variation between both in one hand, or one in each hand. I'd definately agree with
Amber's comment's that it depends on "issues" with individual dogs as they do react to each other behaviour.

I don't know about coloured leads as I seem to get all the "dark" walks just now, but different width leads are useful - although I never wear gloves just in case.

- Fiona - I'm sure you could "borrow" a kennel dog for a day so see if it suits if you are thinking of another addition.....

 

Lady is only 2 but acts 12!!! She walks really close to your side when not lagging behind and is so light on the lead i have to keep checking she's still there. The tip about a longer lead for Sunny might work thanks for that.

Oh and Lady has proved she can walk fast when its raining......another one who would rather stay home in the wet.

Steve came with me for a walk tonight and tried to take Lady, while I had Sunny but there was no way Lady was leaving my side and even managed to trip me up a few times much to Steves amusment.

 

Landress,

            My two are exactly the same Tiger bounds along, going round lamp posts and causing chaos while Chad is so close he trips me up. He has even got his head in the spare loop of the dangling lead. He sticks to my side like glue. I guess Lesley is right and it is because they are new to us.In the house Tiger will happily lie on his bed but the second i get up Chad is with me. He is so attached to me it is untrue. While we have been decorating we don't like to shut them out so we baracaded ourselves in with chairs. That way they could see us. Tiger happily lies in the front room alone, Chad is there in the hall with his head stuck under the chairs keeping an eye on me!

Em, Tig And Chad XX 

Although it is sweet to feel that Lady is devoted to you - it would actually be better for both of you not to pander to her insecurities.

When Steve is out with you - he should take Lady's lead (whether she wants him to or not).  Also - if the opportunity arises - get him, or someone else, to feed her.

She will start to realise that the world does not revolve around you alone (which does get wearing after a bit, when you trip over your dog every time you turn around), and that you are not going to disappear just because someone else is holding her lead.

When we adopted Sim a year ago, he was a very nervous dog.  I was advised to ignore all his nervous behaviours and give him attention only when he seemed calm and relaxed - which at the start was only when he was at home in his bed.  One year on he is a lovely, confident, relaxed, friendly, boisterous boy and you wouldn't recognise him as the same bundle of anxiety who arrived on 1st December 04!

Skipper (foster) - although less obviously nervous than Sim - was becoming very attached to me (as my husband is away through the week).  The first time Jerry (husband) took his food dish to feed him, Skipper had no idea what was going on and just kept looking at me in confusion.  So - now when Jerry is at home we make sure that he takes Skipper's lead on walks, and gives him his food.  Skipper is gradually becoming less anxious.

-- Edited by Lesley at 11:12, 2005-12-11

 

Thanks Lesley Took your advice and have been getting Steve and my girls to walk and feed Lady and its made a big difference.

The last few days Sunny and Lady have been walking side by side and its been so much easier. I've also found if I put Lady on the other side of Sunny away from me shes alot better and not rubbing her head on my leg at every chance.

Off the lead she'll now run round after Sunny so she's getting less attached to me and its nice to see her having fun.