My parents (thanks to my brother bringing home two dogs) have three dogs. I have two dogs. I can usually manage to walk my dogs at the same time, but it’s not really an enjoyable walk for me.
I’ve got Moose pulling me forward in his rush to get to the Next Thing as fast as he can. Lally is pretty good on the leash; often I can clip it to my belt and she’ll keep up with us. Between keeping the two leashes untangled, watching for kids/traffic/other dogs, and trying to keep Moose from chasing anything with wheels (lawnmowers, cars, bicycles), we’re already home again before everyone calms down enough for ME to enjoy the walk.
So I’ve pitched a Walk Exchange to my parents. I will come over daily (they only live a mile away) and help them walk their three dogs. My mom will come over to my house and help me walk my dogs.
I don’t often walk my dogs. It’s because I’m spoiled with a large, fenced double lot for a backyard. All I have to do is open the door for Moose and Lally to go out and do their stuff and check out the status of the neighborhood. But I know walking is good for dogs — it gives them a chance to experience new sights and sounds and explore new territory. Dogs that don’t get walked often can get bored, and bored dogs can be destructive dogs. Lally will tell me she’s bored by dropping a squeaky ball at my feet and pestering me until I go play. Moose will bark or dig to entertain himself; nothing too earth-shattering in the annoyance department, but I know he’d be happier with a regular chance to explore our neighborhood.
I thought this might be a nice idea for other multi-dog families. Or friends. You get a chance to spend some quality time with a person (or two) that you like, you get to spend some time bonding with dogs that you like, and you get some fresh air and sunshine in your day.
And I’m not suggesting you take a three mile hike, unless that’s what you all want to do. I’m planning to get up a half hour early each morning and drive over to my parents’ house to walk the dogs around the neighborhood. It’s not a huge rearrangement to my day, and it’s beneficial for me, my dogs, and my parents’ dogs. And yes, I’ll bring my camera, just in case I see anything interesting on the walk.