Walking 2 dogs with a pram

[Fairydogmother]

Suggestions on how to manage please!

I have 2 JRTs - one is 8 and trots along happily tho does like to sniff EVERYTHING - the other is 3 and pulls like a train for the first 5 minutes (despite tonnes and tonnes of training) and then will settle a bit tho does like to run around on the flexi lead.

Both are rescues and do not get off the flexi leads unless there are no other dogs about. the younger dog is fear aggressive and neither have a great recall (again despite every effort we've made). they are more than happy on the leads so i plan to keep them on them.

Can you clip one dog onto the pram and hold the others lead whilst steering the pram with one hand?! clipping them together wont work i think as they both have very different speeds.

we generally walk 2-3 times a day - short one in the morning followed by 1-2 longer walks so they are well exercised daily. we are lucky to have a lovely park with paths and large green areas only 5 mins from our house.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

[HindsightisaMarvellousThing]

I used to walk two labradors with a pram all the time

The trick is to get a pram that can be easily steered with one hand and has a decent brake. I used an old Urban Detour and found it brilliant for one handed steering.

I'm not sure why you can't hold both leads in one hand - are you using the smaller flexi leads with smaller handles? Maybe I just had big hands, but I didn't find holding two leads in one hand a problem most of the time. Actually, thinking about it I do have big hands,........

I wouldn't be happy clipping a dog to a pram really - I'd worry about the dog taking off and pulling the pram over or running off with it if I was picking up poo or something.

[HindsightisaMarvellousThing]

The other alternative is to walk them separately - now my dogs are older they have very different walking speeds and needs, and the only way to get around this and retain my patience and sanity was to accept this, and walk the dogs separately. And it actually makes for much nicer walks for everyone, though clearly takes more time.

Or you could vary things - walk them together sometimes, separately at others.

[Fairydogmother]

I use the slightly larger size of flexi lead to get the maximum length but might look around for 2 smaller handled ones. def could manage both in one hand if needs be tho.

v good point about clipping the dog to the buggy - hadnt thought of that!

we've bought the uppababy vista which seems fairly easy to push one handed.

we've been working on walking them separately but the younger one doesnt like to be separated. we will keep working on that tho and that might provide a def solution.

[mistlethrush]

I would walk the older one on a short lead and leave the younger one on a flexi - if you're doing the distance this should be doable.

At one stage we had our collie crosses on haltis on their flexis because of pulling - it definitely helped and the low tension of the 'normal' pull back in the lead wasn't a problem with the halti - it only tightened when they properly pulled.

[HindsightisaMarvellousThing]

You can also get leads that clip around your shoulder or waist, so you could maybe adapt one of those and stick the flexi handle through it when you're off the roads.

I've been through every permutation of dogs and baby walking. Even tried a sling once or twice so I could use both hands properly if walking in town etc - this was fine but I wasn't confident in bending down to pick up poo with DD in a sling, and holding onto 2 labs. Maybe a different sort of sling would have been better, or a baby back pack when older?

[Perihelion]

I would have them on normal leads in one hand. This means you'll have a free hand when the time comes for the small person to be toddling about and holding your hand. Keep the flexi leads for when you're out walking on your own.

[Fairydogmother]

fabulous suggestions - thanks everyone!

i had thought about a sling but wasnt sure about how to pick up poop and not tip baby out whilst holding onto 2 dogs! a friend has a sling i could borrow to try tho.

short leads might be the best answer as they are much easier to hold and the flexis could be carried in the pram basket for clipping onto their harnesses if i wanted to.

i have a massive attack of baby brain at the mo so i puzzled for ages wondering how i'd manage it! duh!

[Owllady]

You do have to practice with them first but I used to tie the leads to the handle (Obviously you need to hold onto the pram:o) One of my dogs (a large border collie!) used to like sitting in the basket underneath too and going for a ride!

[Fairydogmother]

haha owllady i was wondering if i could do that with my old boy as he gets tired on a longer walk! the younger one needs to keep going and bless him he starts to flag a bit lol.

got one of those water bottles with a squeezy tray thing attached and that seems to help him not get too thirsty

[topbannana]

I have walked literally hundreds of miles with DS in a backpack carrier when he was young, though my dogs were mostly off lead (though bigger than yours)
He started off in a front sling but quickly progressed to the backpack which he lived as he could see everything from his lofty perch. Personally I would not risk the hassle of trying to use flexible leads and control a pram.
As for picking up poo, it's more a question of squatting than bending- it will do wonders for your thigh muscles too :o

[Fairydogmother]

Excellent - the old thighs always need help!

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I went dog walking with my friend today and she had her baby in the pram and was walking two labs. She had them in normal leads, one in each hand on either side of the pram. Only problem she had was the room it takes up but we just pulled into side and took our time to let everyone else pass.

Could you manage to have them on normal leads on street and then get longer lines to stand and throw a ball with for a little while? I know it isn't ideal but it won't be forever. And make sure you get an easy to push pram!

[Rowgtfc72]

WE had the same problem but just persevered with them clipped together and they just learnt to walk at each others pace. Fat Jack very often hopped in the bottom of the buggy. Dont tie Jacks to buggies as they are devious little buggers and will only pull the buggy over when you let go of it. Now the older jack is 16 and senile we have him on a normal lead round my wrist and fat jack on a flexi in same hand.

[Fairydogmother]

Jacks are naughty wee sods aren't they! I have one naughty one and one angel thankfully lol. The older boy walks perfectly and generally is v well behaved. He's a certified PAT dog tho we don't go out to do it as I think he's wanting a slower pace of life!

Normal leads def sound the way to go. I have a right few kicking about the house but I might treat them to new collars and leads!

[bubble2bubble]

Please don't clip the dogs to the pram. I thought this was a great idea as I would never let go of the handle, until one day I did let go for a second while watching Dd1 on the climbing frame. The dogs lunged - can't even remember why - and tipped dd2 on to the ground. One of those truly awful heart stopping moments. She was fine, as it happened that day she was actually in her car seat on the pram wheels and strapped in: it could have been so much worse, but still sends shivers down my spine as do the looks I got from the other parents in the playground even though it was five years ago now

[pugoff]

I walk 2 dogs and pram. A lightweight and one handed push makes it easier. I have bsbyjogger versa, but vista is v similar. I have one dog on either side, otherwise they compete for who can go fastest and have learnt to walk straight and stay out of way of pram otherwise their paws get run over. I have one on normal lead over hand and held by wrist which I then can use hand to hold onto prams and one in flexi lead. I am lucky in that both aren't too bad for recall but I'm also working hard on heel which is actually easier with pram as dogs can't see each other and focus more on me.
it can be done...
I do look like a travelling circus however...

[pugoff]

Oh and I also have a manduca sling which is ace if I don't want faff of pram.

[Fairydogmother]

Lol pugoff! I'd say that's exactly what I'll look like! If we get snow this winter I'm buying a sled for the baby and my little dog can pull us along!

[Newmamanoa]

I have the same problem
2 dogs and one pulls and he has fear aggression.
I have decided not to go to thr park if i am alone, just incase the small one gets into a fight.
Yesterday i walk them and i take with me a flexi for the small one with fear aggression but i walk them with the short one till i get to a place where the small one can run a bit and i put him the flexi.
Also thinking of using this belts for running with the dogs so you can put the ones that pull in the belt and the other one in your hand.
I will not put both in the belt as if your small one is like me walking from one side to another he will get tangle with your other dog.
Once u get to the grass you put him in a flexi lead
Also you have wrist leads that i am thinking to buy one as well.

[BlondehairRedlips]

@Newmamanoa this thread is from 2013, i think the OP will be well past her pram issue by now.