Group walking with your dog

Walking your dog in a group with other four legged friends can be lots of fun. It’s a great feeling watching your dog interact and play with others. But group walking requires a bit of planning ahead. Before going on a walk with multiple dogs, ask yourself whether your dog will be happy in this situation.

Should I take my dog on a group dog walk?

It’s important to consider whether your dog is going to be happy in a group of other dogs. Some dogs may be nervous or too boisterous in these situations.

So, before heading out on a group dog walk you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Does my dog enjoy being around other dogs?
• Does my dog have a good recall?
• Is my dog fit enough to go on a group walk? Puppies shouldn’t be over exercised, and elderly dogs may struggle to keep up with the group.
• Is my dog up to date on their vaccinations, flea treatment and worming treatment?
• Does my dog have a microchip with the correct address?

If the answer to all of the above is yes, then your dog may enjoy going on a group walk.

What should I take with me on a group walk?

If you’re planning on going on a group walk then you may find that your dog spends more time running around than usual. You’ll need to ensure that you take the following with you, to keep your dog happy and healthy:

• Lead
• Collar with an up-to-date ID tag
• Water and a bowl
• Poo bags
• Treats

If you have a dog that loves to play fetch, be mindful that this might increase excitement in the group. It depends on how your dog feels about other dogs approaching their toy (which is likely to happen at first) as to whether you decide to bring their toys out on a group walk.

Dogs who walk together frequently usually learn how to behave appropriately around each other's toys – some dogs may even enjoy chasing the same toy if they get on well together.