Take a Hike! Enjoying the Great Outdoors with Multiple Dogs

If you are not a nature lover or if you prefer taking your crew out on a one-on-one basis, then skip this blog. Then again, maybe not! If the previous apply to you, why not read anyway and see if you can get inspired to take the crew out en masse? It’s the season for connecting with your inner explorer, after all. Spring calls us outdoors to enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty.

I have been hiking with multiple dogs for twelve years and I would not have it any other way. It can be very hectic at times, but training your crew with some basic manners ahead of the hiking experience will minimize the chaos.

There are many ways to enjoy hiking with more than one dog. Some people use waist leashes, some people use couplers, some use individual leashes, some use no leashes. The on leash vs. off leash debate can get very heated. We will not be delving into that too much here other than to cover legalities and my view on responsible dog walking.

I hike on leash only. I do permit my dogs some off leash time in a carefully controlled area that I can see the entire perimeter of, after most just regular walks (as opposed to hikes) in the local cemetery. The management is okay with how I do this since they view me as one of the few responsible dog walkers there. Of course, this only happens if no one is around to be disturbed.

Something to note is that my dogs all have a fabulous recall. Even Trent, who is only at an approximate 95% recall, is more reliable than many dogs I see off leash (that shouldn’t be). I have called all of my dogs off of chasing a herd of deer less than 20 yards from us in the past. This is the kind of reliability you should aspire to if you are aiming for of leash walks in nature.

I mentioned legalities previously. Let me elaborate on that. If the area that you walk or hike in requires you to have your dogs on leash, then please abide by those rules. They are there for a reason and if you violate the rules, you take the chance of taking the privileges away from all of us to be able to walk our dogs in areas that we currently do. Be polite please.

Back to hiking: my dogs have been taught quite a few cues that are handy for hiking in addition to other areas. One of the first things that I taught Merlin and Kera as puppies is a “fix” cue. That is my solution to not having to bend over constantly to untangle leashes from legs and feet. Once taught this, my dogs typically will untangle themselves, both front and back legs. This is also helpful for teaching dogs that they have back legs, as many don’t consider this aspect when deciding where to step! If a dog ignores a leash under a leg, a request to the dog in question causes quick compliance.

Other cues I have taught to enhance the hiking experience are: front (walk in front of me), over (navigating downed trees, etc.) gee and haw (right and left of me). The basics that help here as well are: sit, down, stop, wait, watch and leave it. I also use Leslie McDevitt’s “Look at That!” for things that may be viewed as worrisome.

My personal preference is individual leashes all attached to my right wrist. I don’t allow a lot of meandering so the leashes don’t get as entangled as you could imagine but I do untangle approximately once a regular daily hour long hike. For longer hikes, it’s more frequent. I carry water and a collapsible bowl in my vehicle for local hikes in everything but very warm weather. In warm weather and on longer hikes, I carry a CamelBak backpack with a collapsible bowl tucked inside. When we venture to a further locale for a longer hike (8-10 miles), Siri wears a backpack and carries additional water. Trent does as well. I also carry more snacks on longer hikes. I carry my cell phone always. I wear a treat bag and treat when I feel it is warranted. My dogs are very well trained so the treats are very random unless there is a good reason for excess rewards.

Hiking with Multiple Dogs

One of the areas where I do offer more rewards is when we need to get off the trail to let others pass. The rules or manners will vary with locale but in general, if you are hiking with multiple dogs (or even one dog!), it’s considered mannerly to get yourself and your crew off the trail to let other trail users such as hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders pass by easily. If two single dog hikers are approaching one another, who lets who pass easily is best left to the individuals based on how well trained each dog. Even if someone offers to let me pass first, I always give priority to the other party. I think it shows my dogs a better behavior plus it gives me an opportunity to control the situation better which is the best option when hiking with a crew.

My dogs offer a sit or a down (Merlin doesn’t have to sit, he is perfect!) and watch me while rewarding them for quality choices. I also reward Siri for each LAT opportunity. My dogs know that people and dogs approaching mean they may get fed. The proximity will determine whether it is truly necessary and the quantity of rewards. Closely passing dogs with owners who are not controlling them will get them more rewards than a single human passing by who is oblivious to their existence. Verbal reinforcers are always provided.

The behavior that I have taught my dogs that has given me the most benefit is pairing rewards engage/disengage  when they spot a deer or a squirrel. With Merlin, this behavior is as automatic as breathing is. I am such a proud mom when he offers me this! Kera is a close second most of the time, which itself is amazing as she has some northern breed blood. Siri comes up third in this and Trent is a work in progress; though he will often surprisingly simply throw himself into a down and look up at me, when the planets align properly.

Now for other hiker’s insights on multiple dog hikes:

Crystal in CA hikes with two Australian Shepherds off leash. She finds it more exciting than hiking with one dog. She has good voice control over her dogs and their greetings are appropriate with other hikers. She carries treats for rewarding snappy recalls.

Monica and her husband (also in CA) hike with four dogs: three small tenacious breeds and a Spaniel mix. The little ones are recalled frequently to keep their attention more focused and the Spaniel sticks close by when off leash by choice. When they encounter other hikers, they recall the crew, get off the trail and wait until they pass. When the wildlife is active, the little ones are leashed to a shoulder strap that permits her to walk more than one dog at a time comfortably.

Ettel in NYC hikes with two dogs. One is slower than the other so she has slowed her pace to allow the dawdler to enjoy her hike more. She is more on alert than when hiking with one dog. She also gets off the trail and employs a sit stay when needed to allow people/dogs/wildlife to pass unencumbered.

Mary Ann in Ocala, FL hikes on leash with three dogs: two Border Collies and a Terrier mix. She adores hiking with Border Collies. They like order on the trail! The Terrier, however, weaves so she has to untangle frequently! She also joins the mannerly hiker club by getting off the trail so that others may pass. Mary Ann has some great hiking cues as well that include pack on, wait and rest.

Crystal in Indiana, PA does more off trail hiking than on, so she has special rules that she follows. She always brings water, first aid supplies and an extra leash. She only brings as many dogs as she can comfortably handle (she has four of her own and at least one foster at any given moment). Her sturdy dogs (she mostly has English Setters though her Border Collie mix is pretty sturdy!) wear a backpack. The other dogs wear orange vests, especially in hunting season. She also attaches a bell to their collars if they are off leash.

Pam in Oregon hikes with four dogs: one Border Collie, two Border Collie mixes and one Sibe/Golden mix. Her BC leads the crew, often keeping her more excitable BC mix in check with his BC eye. Her females stick to the rear. She has taught them several cues: stop, back, sit and down. She uses hiking poles and sticks to quieter less populated trails to minimize the stress.

Andrew in Morgantown, WV has hiked frequently with two dogs. He believes that teaching impulse control and a fabulous recall are the secrets to a successful multiple dog hike. I think he is right!

As you can see, there are many ways to hit the trail. Find your own groove and get out there. If you do not currently hike, I cannot possibly overstate the benefits to your well being; unless of course, you delight in concrete, glass, noise and a fast pace. If the sounds of leaves rustling and birds chirping is more your thing, then give this a shot! You will not be sorry. Enjoy the season.