How to Walk Multiple Dogs: Creative Strategies for the Dual Dog Walk

Life with your dual pooches may be smooth sailing most of the time, but double dog walking duty can make for stormy seas, if you don't take the proper approach. Here are five tips to make walking your doublemint pups a pleasure, not a chore.

(1) Start with one pup, and build from there. Walking puppies is simple enough, because they're... well, little. But if you have more than one medium- to large-sized dog, try walking them singly first to determine what collar will work best and how they react to distractions like other dogs or cats running across the path.

(2) Use the right equipment. If you're walking with pulling pooches, try a head collar or no-pull harness to keep them in check. Stay away from extendible leashes unless you are completely confident in your ability to control both dogs, working instead with sturdy four- to six-foot leashes. There are also a number of tandem leashes on the market for walking multiple dogs, which are built for safety and comfort.

(3) Try a safe test run first. Before you head for a busy city street, try walking around your yard or a fenced area nearby first. Are you being dragged from one end of the yard to the other? If so, you may want to try some more individual leash training before taking your pups into the wide world.

(4) Can you handle the ultimate distraction? Most dogs have an Achilles' heel - one thing in all the world that makes them sit up and take notice. Whether it's a cat, squirrel, bicycle, or another dog, can you handle both pups when that one, ultimate weakness is just down the road? During your test run, try adding as many distractions as you can and see how well you do.

(5) Invite a friend. If you have a walking buddy to hand one of the leashes off to if things get rough, it will make a big difference in your confidence level and, thus, the way that your pups respond to your commands. During your first few walks in the world, bring along a friend. Do your best to walk your pups yourself for the entire trek, so that by the time you're ready for a solo flight, you'll know you can handle it.

Follow these simple tips and before you know it, you'll be a master at the dual dog walk. Your pups will be better behaved, you'll all be healthier, and the world will truly be yours to explore.

Workout Wednesday: The Perfect Exercise Partner - Your Dog!

By now, you've probably heard the statistics: 65-percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and those numbers are growing. And if you're reading this blog, you are probably aware that obesity in American pets is also becoming epidemic - an estimated 25-percent of American dogs are considered obese. Like humans, overweight dogs are more at risk for diabetes, joint problems, heart disease, and some cancers. So, if you find that your favorite jeans and your pup's favorite collar just don't fit the way they used to, there may be a solution close at hand.

What's the answer to shedding those excess pounds? Exercise, exercise, exercise. And it turns out, walking the dog is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and get back in shape. Here are some tips for shedding pooch-and-person pounds sensibly.

(1) Know your pup's limits. If your dog is a senior, has joint or other health related issues, or is seriously overweight, make sure to check in with your vet before starting any new exercise routine. Just like humans, dogs need to ease into a fitness regiment. Begin slowly - if you've only been walking once a day, up it to twice; once in the morning, once in the evening. Watch how your dog reacts after the fact... Does he have more trouble than usual getting up the stairs or onto the couch? Your dog should be tired after exercise, but not comatose.

(2) Keep your pup motivated. For couch-potato pooches, hitting the streets may not be a welcome notion. Even for overweight or obese dogs, it is okay to use food as a motivator - just beware of what type of food. Make the walk fun by giving lots of praise and pets. Reprimands and leash-jerking should be kept to a minimum; just as you would a child, you want to convey to your pup that exercise is FUN!

(3) Use the right equipment. If your dog turns every walk into the Iditarod, pulling you down Main Street with no regard for your pleas to slow down, it's time to invest in a nose collar (Gentle Leaders and Haltis are the most commonly used) or no-pull harness. Avoid extendible leashes, as they make it difficult for you to control your pup, and can be a disaster if he gets some momentum before reaching the end of the leash. You might consider a group class or a one-on-one session with a trainer to get some hands-on experience with a professional, as well.

Finally, remember to be consistent and to have fun! Getting in shape shouldn't be a burden - with a little resolve and a furry friend by your side, every step of the way can be a pleasure. And the reward? Better health, a longer life, and a happier pup. Really, what more could you ask for?

Exercise and the Senior Dog

Imagine this:
You've reached your 60th birthday - a little achy around the joints, that spring in your step perhaps a little less... sprung, but generally healthy and still in love with life. And suddenly, your family says to you: Now that you're old, we've got a special new food that you'll be living on until your final days, and - because you've gotten old and we don't want to tire you out - from now on, you can just hang out. Don't worry about long walks or running around or anything, because we've noticed you're having a hard time with that stuff, anyway. Just chill out, relax. Sleep the days away.

I don't know about you, but that's hardly the way I want to spend my final few years on earth. And yet, that's just what we do to our beloved senior pups on a regular basis. We notice that getting up is a little tougher, or he may lag behind on a walk, and - because we love him so very much - we decide to either cut the walk short, or just stop it altogether.

What we actually need to do for our senior pups is quite the opposite. Regular exercise has been proven to improve heart and brain function in canines, slow joint degeneration and the aging process, aid digestion, and regulate bowel function. For senior dogs, exercise can quite literally mean adding years to your best friend's life. Here, then, are five tips to ensure that your dog stays fit and happy by your side just as long as possible.

(1) Start by checking in with your veterinarian. Regular visits are critical to maintaining health for aging dogs, in order to detect or prevent life-threatening issues like cancer, heart disease, or even periodental disease. Working with your vet, you can determine the best nutritional regiment and supplements for your pup, as well as ask any questions you may have about creating the best exercise routine for your dog.

(2) Take it slow. With the exception of the dog who has spent his life sprinting by his guardian's side, it is typically best to avoid strenuous aerobic activity with your senior. Dogs will push far beyond their physical limits to please us; it's our job now to tell them when to quit. A regular walk of from ten minutes to half-an-hour twice a day is a great way to keep your senior limber, active, and interested in the world around him. Senior dogs have the added challenge of requiring more frequent bathroom breaks, so a short walk in the morning and another in the evening helps your pup get into a more bladder-friendly routine. Try to stay consistent, be patient, and watch your pup for any changes in behavior, increased stiffness, or shortness of breath. If any of these occur, consult your veterinarian for recommendations.

(3) Watch the weather. Cold, wet days exacerbate joint problems, while hot days increase the possibility of heatstroke. Whenever temps dip or soar, indoor activities like hide and seek, fetch, or tug of war may be best. For cooler weather, invest in a doggie jacket or sweater to ease joint pain.

(4) Swim it out. If you have an aging water hound on your hands, now is the time to focus on the healing power of the sea. Because swimming is a low-impact exercise, it's perfect for painful joints and arthritis, and is also a great way for overweight dogs to take off some pounds. However, it's still important to watch temps - warm spring and summer days are great, but avoid icy dips. Even on warm days, have a towel handy to dry your pooch before he becomes chilled.

(5) Listen to your pup. If you have a senior dog, chances are good that you've spent considerable time getting to know him; you can tell when he's dragging. If he's having a tough time getting up when sitting or lying down, it means there is probably some arthritis or other joint-related issues at work. Limit physical activity to shorter walks on a more frequent basis, and look for a quality canine supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin. You may also invest in quality essential fatty acids like those found in cod liver, flaxseed, or salmon oils, or a quality pet product like Dream Coat.

The senior years can be some of the most cherished you'll ever spend with your dog. Now is the time when you know each other well, discipline isn't as much of an issue, and you can relax and just enjoy life together. Be sure to include him in as much of your life as possible, and your aging pooch will truly learn to love retirement.

For additional information and some excellent articles and tips on senior dogs, you can check out The Senior Dog Project.

Super-Charged Exercise for the High Energy Hound

We've all seen them - the Jack Russell who springs five feet in the air every ten seconds or so, or the border collie yipping wildly while she tries to round up the neighborhood kids, or the pit bull pulling his owner down the street in a desperate attempt to get to the next great smell. You may even be the proud owner of just such a dog yourself. If you are, you have probably wondered at least once, "Is there nothing that will tire this dog out?" Take heart, because the answer is yes - and I'll give you a few ideas of how in this post.

Dogs like terriers, border collies, some hounds, and many of the dogs known as "working" dogs, were bred to keep going and going and going and... Well, you get the picture. Terriers were designed to be hunters - to track and kill rodents all the livelong day, and to be happy doing just that. Herding dogs have the instinct to move - to keep things tidy, make sure everything is running smoothly and everyone is where they ought to be. When you put these types of dogs in a setting where they are not physically and mentally challenged, something's bound to give. You're likely to see excessive chewing, barking, digging, even obsessive-compulsive behaviors... When all else fails, that energy may be turned inward and manifest as depression and self-destructive behaviors like tail chasing or chewing, or even obsessive nail biting.

So, to prevent all of that and not actually spend hours exercising to keep your high-energy pooch sane, what do you do? A long walk is a great start, but dogs like these also need to run. To complicate things further, working dogs are highly intelligent - they were bred to perform a job, not just sit around and look pretty. What you want to do is engage not just the body, but the mind as well. Here are a few ways you can do both, and enhance the bond between you and your dog to boot.

(1) Fetch. It's not a new game, but there's a reason it's one of the most enduring sports for pups and their people. It keeps you and your dog connected, provides a structured outlet for your dog's energy, and reinforces recall.

(2) Search and rescue. This is a particularly good game for hounds, as they truly do "see" the world through their noses. With their muzzles to the ground ninety percent of the time, these pups are all about the hunt. Whether or not your high-energy pup is a hound, however, this is a great game to pass a rainy afternoon inside or, even better, to spice things up in the yard. Simply get five to ten of your pup's favorite treats and plant them in different places around the house. Lead him to the first couple of hiding places, bringing him within a foot or two of the treat - his nose will do the rest. Soon, he'll be busy foraging through the house for the rest of his treats, tail wagging. A word of caution: When you're "planting" your items, never bury them so well that you're dog will be tempted to dig or chew through your things to find them. This is especially true outside - hounds have powerful noses, and if you bury the treat a couple of inches down, he will dig up the entire yard to find his treasure. Put treats inside boxes to increase the challenge, or inside one of his favorite stuffed animals. Be creative, and - just like with fetch - remember to have fun!

(3) Doggie play groups. My first dog, Moonshadow, was a solo dog - she was a big, alpha female who loved other male dogs, but was very intimidating around females. For that reason, and because I was not yet well-versed in canine behavior myself, Moon ended up living a fairly solitary existence. When I began interning at an animal rescue in Oregon, I had an opportunity to see firsthand just what a tragedy that was for Moon. Dogs are very social creatures. At the rescue, I ran "play groups" with anywhere from five to fifteen dogs. The play was often rough and there were certainly some encounters that were not the ideal, but for the most part I was able to watch these animals interact the way that they would in the wild. They sorted out the group dynamic, played, wrestled, and left the group at the end of their hour utterly exhausted.

It's unlikely that you have access to a fifteen-dog play group, and that's probably for the best. However, if you have friends or neighbors who have dogs, it's worth the time and effort to organize doggy play dates every week or so.

(4) In addition to the ideas listed above, you may want to consider getting your
high energy pooch involved in an organized sporting event. Tracking, rally, agility,
water sports... These days, there's truly an activity for every dog. It builds confidence, provides great socialization opportunities, enhances the bond between you and your dog, and there's nothing better than an hourlong class of running, jumping, wagging, and spinning to poop out your pup.

There's no question that keeping your high-energy pooch entertained is hard work. But, with a little time and creativity on your part, it is definitely an attainable goal - and will not only work wonders for your dog, but has the added bonus of keeping you fit, active, and involved, as well.

Exercise: The Great Equalizer

If you've ever had any behavioral issues with your dog and consulted a professional trainer about them, you were probably asked one question first: How much exercise is he getting? Whether you're facing excessive chewing, barking, digging, jumping up, even aggression... the first, second, and last answer is often more exercise.
Not so long ago, dogs were wild animals. They traveled for miles on end, hour after hour, searching for food. They hunted, they fought, they played, they mated - all of which requires a remarkable amount of energy. Needless to say, times have changed. Dogs, however - at least physically speaking - have not, to any great degree. Specially "designed" breeds may be less inclined to roam, but for the most part, dogs are still animals who require a significant amount of physical exercise to not only stay healthy, but to stay emotionally and mentally balanced. How much exercise does your dog get? Does she have an opportunity to play with other dogs? How often do you get in the mix and actually exercise - whether walking or running - with your dog?

Exercise is not only great for the pup, but we all know how essential it is for people. If you've been looking for a way to shed a few excess pounds but haven't found a fitness partner, look no further than that fuzzy lump by your bed. She'll be more than happy to roust you every morning and get you pumped for the rest of the day.

Wednesdays at The Dog-Ma will be devoted to exercise: How much is needed, how much is too much, what type is best, and how do you achieve the optimum level of fitness for your canine companion? To prepare for your new, active lifestyle - or to simply enhance what you've already mastered - take the next week to take stock of how much exercise your pooch is actually getting. How often do you go for walks, and how long do they last? Is your dog panting by the time you head for home, or ready for more? When you get the leash out, does your pup beat you to the door or do you have to pry him off the couch?

Exercising with your dog is an excellent way to strengthen the bond between you and enhance both of your levels of fitness. It is the most likely answer to any number of behavioral issues, and - best of all - it doesn't cost a thing! So saddle up in the coming weeks to learn how best to get you and your canine companion in the best shape of your lives, one four-footed step at a time.