Leash walking
How do I walk two dogs that each need a different walking pace?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Walking two leashes in separate hands, rather than a coupler that joins them into one, lets you manage a faster dog and a slower one independently, giving the quicker dog slightly more leash and the slower one a shorter, closer hold. Building in short pauses every 5 to 10 minutes lets the slower dog, often an older or smaller dog, catch its breath and sniff while the faster one waits and settles. On particularly mismatched pairs, some owners find that walking each dog separately most days, even briefly, works better than forcing a shared pace every single walk.
Managing two independent leashes
Holding each leash separately, rather than joining them with a coupler, gives you the flexibility to let one dog range a little further while keeping the other closer, which a fixed coupler length does not allow.
Building in pace friendly breaks
Pausing briefly every 5 to 10 minutes for the slower dog to sniff and rest gives the faster dog a natural reset point too, and over time many pairs settle into a rhythm of short bursts and pauses rather than one continuous shared pace.
Key takeaways
- Hold two leashes separately rather than with a coupler when paces differ noticeably.
- Build in short pauses every 5 to 10 minutes so the slower dog can rest and sniff.
- Occasional separate walks can work better than forcing a shared pace on very mismatched pairs.