Couplers

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Has anyone with multiple dogs ever used a coupler?   After a misadventure where I bought the wrong sized coupler we found one yesterday that I felt comfortable using with Gaston-Cramer and Rosie and tried it out.  What fun!   It was at first like watching siamese twins, that shared a leg, trying to see who was to go first!  Once they figured it out it was magical!  They quickly set their own pace and learned even how to cross each other's path without getting tangled.  If anyone walks multiple dogs this was a dream!  The coupler I bought adjusted, if it was needed, to different heights but since GC and Rose are essentially the same size I kept it set in identical lengths.  Since they both love to be next to each other all the time anyway when I walk them this was a perfect solution to tangled leashes!  Here they are sharing a cool drink together after their afternoon of teamwork. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is a great idea. What a cute picture.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Yes I use couplers when I am walking my pack by myself. I just recently got the adjustable type after I had misplaced my old non-adjustable one. I love it as it gives the boys enough room to not get in each others way when doing their business. I also like to couple Sherlock (16" Beagle) with Harlow (21" LD) because Harlow is a better healer. This keeps Sherlock from pulling and makes a more enjoyable walk.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I love this picture! I'm back in leash training mode now with Murphy, but really do look forward to using a coupler once he's a little more consistent.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

Try it now Jane! It was amazing how they corrected each other! If Rosie pulled GC wouldn't and she'd have to stop and vice versa. Never once did they both pull at the same time except for the initial instant I put it on them. It truly did make for an enjoyable walk. I will say that I did bring an additional leash with meas we were going to be out for a few hours and wanted them to be able to have a break from each other but it wasn't necessary. They loved being together.

If any one decided they'd like to get one I highly recommend the one at PETCO. The stitching was reinforced really well. The ones sold at PetSmart were just heat fused. I didn't think with two big dogs putting pressure on the coupler that the heat fusing would be safe. They ran about $15 for a 1' which is the size I used for these two :). They are VERY hard to find so they must sell out fast! LOL

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, I'll definitely go get one!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I was told it was so hard to do. Now that your wrote this, I just may give it a try.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

I'm glad I was never told that or I might not have tried! LOL Both stores did say that if it didn't work for me I could return it so I never gave it a second thought. It was actually super easy and alot of fun to have them both walking side by side. :). Now I can't say that I'd have the same luck walking Bindi and one of the doodles together because of their obvious size difference LOL but with two, relatively, close in size dogs I would think it would work just fine. :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I tried it with not so great results. My problem is if we get stopped to talk with someone. Sophie always wants to be closets to the people so she will hop over top of Lucy which makes Lucy mad and then they start growling at each other and get all tangled up. Haven't tried it recently, it may work better since they are a little more mature now, but Sophie is still the attention seeker so I could end up with the same results. I think it probably has a lot to do with the dogs or possibly I had the length adjusted to long or short or something. They normally do walk side by side.

I absolutely love this picture though.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have one from Sporn. I liked it initially but now I find I really don't use it since the 3 of us seem to manage pretty well without it. It was hard to get them in and out of the car when coupled since clearly one had to be freed to do this. When Calla first came I was constantly getting tangled up with them but we seem to have all settled in. My 2 really don't heel well since i never consistently taught them. They do however walk reasonably well without pulling and/or they respond quickly to corection.

[Adina P]

Sounds like this worked out perfectly for you, Rose and Gaston-Cramer!

I, however, found them to be more of a nuisance than a help. But that's partly because I almost always walked my dogs in heel, so they had to be side by side by my side, and I could not correct individual dogs unless each had his/her own leash I held. The straw that broke this camel's back, though, was when Rosco almost peed on Thule because she happened to get between the tree and his leg...OOPS! That made it difficult when letting them take a potty break on a walk...too hard to let them go their individual ways to find the perfect pee spot...or poo spot.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have one and use it for Ned (27 pounds) and our Lab Mix (64 pounds). They do switch places while wearing it, but they both have the same walking habits. I would never pair our springer with another dog because he is too energetic and excitable.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I have used a coupler which I really like. I currently use a web belt with two quick release latch/ leash attachments. Although initially I had trouble getting everyone hooked in place one on each side, I now really like it. It keeps my hands free to correct one only if necessary and also relieves the stain on my not very good back. Both of my dogs walk nicely on a leash but even with that walking with one in each hand was more stressful to my back than attached to the belt. Does not really make sense to me, but it works for me.