Multiple Dog Walks
Springtime multiple dog walks are more challenging than those taken over a snowy winter. Everyone comes out to enjoy the weather and there is a new distraction almost every moment, or so it sometimes seems. This is the season that I am always more on alert and I do not dare leave my house for a walk without my clicker.
Spring is also the season where it seems that many dog owners have forgotten their manners. I see many things that I either have to avoid or comment on, to prevent incidents. Just today, I was on my favorite weekend trail when I noticed a man rapidly approaching me from behind with a large black bear-like dog. This is typically the type of dog that many dogs will have a reaction to so it is better to be prepared. I got my dogs off the trail a bit and had then had them sit and clicked them for looking at the passing dog and his owner. All was well.
But it was a good thing that I did not release my crew right away! At least a minute after the man passed with one dog (on leash) another big black bear-like dog passed us dragging a leash on the ground. I heard the owner call his dog to come faster, but the appropriate thing for him to would have been to retain a grip on both dogs. It would have also been more appropriate for him to not approach me fast from behind without warning me. Thankfully, I saw him first.
Being aware of things that may cause potential problems with a multiple dog walk before they happen is something that is really important for any multiple dog owner to cultivate. Walking a crew together will always be harder than walking any one dog alone. Prevention is the best offense. Learn to be observant. You will never regret it.
I understand exactly what you’re saying. Just this evening I was walking my two dogs, and my puppy got distracted by people playing ball. As I was redirecting him back to the walk, the boy (10?) quickly walked right up and put his fingers in my dog’s face. (The adult didn’t correct the boy, either!) I’ve never seen Titan growl like that, though I can understand why he did. I quickly turned sideways a little to block him a little bit and told the boy Titan is in training and can’t be pet. I immediately got Titan back to the walk.
There was also a person who drove right up to the curb quickly, swung the door open (and almost hit Titan!), and jumped out. And he had the nerve to make a nasty comment when my dog almost bit him! As I was trying to pull Titan away, the person from the other side had jumped out and run around the back of the car…right into Titan! (Thankfully the rest of the walk went much better.) Here I am trying to have a nice walk with my dogs, and he got startled by people who weren’t thinking. :/
i completely understand what you guys are talking about. i run into similar situations when i walk my two reactive dogs – they are actually doing much better after months of training, but people run into them, not thinking. sigh!!