[jrickards]

We have Sirius (8.5yrs, gentle black lab mix) and recently acquired, Hunter (1yr old Border Collie mix, very energetic).

Sirius *was* pretty good on the leash but with Hunter, who is a real puller, both now are pulling so I've started to train them to do loose leash walking but I've been training them separately. Right now, they're on very short walks because that's all they can do before they start to pull.

(1) Am I to continue to train them separately or, even at this early stage, do I try to train them together (because that's what I want to end up doing, walking them nicely together)?

(2) Whether now or later, should I have their leashes in separate hands or both in one hand?

Thanks,

Jules

 

[Kathyy]

My dogs prefer to be on either side of me on separate leashes so the good one isn't jerked by the bad one and I don't have to be so careful to stay far to one side of the sidewalk. Practice all variations as at some point you'll need to use them all.

Continue to train separately and together. At some point it will come together. You'll realize you haven't had to stop and reset for a block or two and you know you've finally got there.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

separately and at times together

if it helps in your situation. try them in different positions when they are together. Side by side out in front. One on each side, One on the inside or out side of heeling position. if one of them is harder to handle strength wise you can always put that dog on the inside of heeling and let the leash drape behind you just below your butt for support. So when the pushy dog tries to forge forward the leash tension against the back side of your thigh / leg will stop them from getting ahead of you and keep them in position consistently.


when I had my multiple group each one was great at heeling alone, so kept all the dogs on seperate leashes on the heeling side held in one hand. The other hand was used to hold the leash of the one dog being on loose lead our in front of me to roam and sniff to go potty. I would just rotate them back into heeling and to take a turn out front to go potty. Total chaos lol when we first started .. always pick a straight away to work on it, and best to work on it walking back home from the park or a long walk .. when they tired and satisfied....

and to help with leash work ,,, you can practice leash work at home, with obstacles furniture, kitchen chairs for figure 8's, even get traffic cones from places like Home depot,,, Good Ideas of things to do look at AKC CD level

 

[jrickards]

Thank you both, I will try to mix it up but maybe I'll wait until I can get them separately past the next driveway, LOL.