[Lara's mom]

As many of you know, I have 3 kids - A Border Collie cross (Bailey) and 2 shorty JRT's (Lara & Lance.) Bailey and Lara are wonderful walkers. Lance...He's a nightmare. Between tripping over his leash, tangling up the other dogs and wrapping his leash around my until I'm literally tied up in the middle of the street, I'm at my wits end with him. Since Bailey spends part of her time with her other family, I'm looking for a solution to make Walking the Jacks a more pleasant experience.

Recently, I saw a guy walking two little dogs on 2 separate leashes but with a leather strap connecting both dogs by either the collar or harness. I didn't get that close a look but, they were walking nicely side by side which is more than I can say about our "adventures in walking."

Does anybody know anything about these straps and whether they are safe and comfortable for the dogs who are wearing them? It looks to me as if this could be a viable solution to "the walks from hell" but, I'd like to get some input from the other members.

Thanks!!!

[cigwyllt]

I use one all the time - a splitter lead. Mine is chain. It has a clip on each end to connect the collars as does an ordinary lead and a central pivoting ring to which you attach the lead. Because it pivots the dogs don't tangle with each other. Manny has good walking manners (once we have left the driveway) and Ojo picks up on that and walks well. I have also used for the dogs to run off leash as Manny has a much better recall and he will bring Ojo back with him. I bought mine in my local pet store but I'm sure you can get them on ebay. I'm wondering about using mine to walk Manny and Toffee together even though there is a huge difference in size between them. That way if my son is with me we can walk all three dogs at once.

[Lara's mom]

That makes sense. I didn't know what they were called. Lance and Lara are just about the same size so it should work well. Bailey always walks nicely so, there is no problem with her. You have no idea what a relief it would be to take those two Jacks for a walk and not come home feeling as if I need a good stiff scotch to recover from the stress and embarrassment! Will they still be able to pee and poop while out walking with that splitter thing on?

Thank you for the response!!!

[cigwyllt]

No problem at all. No matter what time of day we go out Manny has to poo 10 minutes after we leave the house so I know for a fact there is no problem with that!

On Ebay they seem to be called splitters or couplers - there are loads on there so they are probably easy enough to get hold of. Actually, if I could buy one in my little local pet shop you must be able to get them just about anywhere LOL!

[Lara's mom]

I'll try my local pet food store. They sell all kinds of leashes, collars, harnesses, etc. Surely, they would have the splitters too.

[Todd]

Yes I agree. The splitter would work well because they wouldn't be able to get things all tangled up. Why do they do that though? I've taken care of other dogs b4. It really is hard with more than 1

[Lara's mom]

It's not "THEY" who do it. It's "Lance of not much brain power!!!" The other two walk very nicely on the leash but, because in order to use one of these things you need a second dog, Lara is "it" since they are very close in size.

Anyway, I needed a few bits from the market so, I stopped into my local pet food store and bought one. The owner knows all of my kids well and she recommended the right size but said I could return it for a longer one if need be.

Unfortunately, it's raining in Toronto today and, the Prince and Princess of Jackrusselldom do not appreciate getting the royal paws wet so, I'll wait for a dry day to try it out. Hopefully, it will result in a more positive experience for them.

BTW, I bought a nylon one. The chain ones were too heavy for my two little ones.

[cigwyllt]

That's the advantage of a big city or a larger town - for me it was the chain or nothing! Mind you, I don't think I would like to trust it with a larger breed, it isn't too heavy for my two but Ojo is like a little ox anyway!

[Lara's mom]

The last time they were weighed which was about 2 months ago during the leptospirosis scare we had, Lara weighed 14 lb, Lance was 7 lb and Bailey was 42 lb.

For the two Jacks, I think the nylon one will be sufficient. The chain ones that were available were for much bigger dogs and, they were awfully heavy!

[Todd]

If Baily is quite a bit bigger than the other 2 will this contraption still work or would that send it off kilter?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

The last time they were weighed which was about 2 months ago during the leptospirosis scare we had, Lara weighed 14 lb, Lance was 7 lb and Bailey was 42 lb.

For the two Jacks, I think the nylon one will be sufficient. The chain ones that were available were for much bigger dogs and, they were awfully heavy!

My daughter has these and walks 2-3 dogs at a time (beagles). It works quite well. I would think that Lara might 'train' Lance how to walk on a leash this way too!

[Lara's mom]

I would pay good money to anyone who could train that dumbinski to do anything!!!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I would pay good money to anyone who could train that dumbinski to do anything!!!

Maybe you ought to sign up to be on It's Me Or The Dog with Victoria Stilwell.

Maybe try Cesar Millan? jk. I know hoe u feel about him...

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I would pay good money to anyone who could train that dumbinski to do anything!!!

I hear you there. I would give anything to get Buster Butthead to listen. I swear he has ADHD. Do they have meds for that?

[Lara's mom]

Well, they have Ritllin for people. Beats me if it would work on dogs. Unfortunately, there isn't a clinical diagnosis for stupid which is what my Lance is. (Bless his little heart).

I've often told him, "You're lucky that you're cute. It makes people forget that you're as dumb as a doorpost!!!"

Besides, a lot of breeders are not terribly ethical. They want a "pretty dog" which my Lance is. Nobody except my own breeder seems to care that he's "as thick as two plates".

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Well, they have Ritllin for people. Beats me if it would work on dogs. Unfortunately, there isn't a clinical diagnosis for stupid which is what my Lance is. (Bless his little heart).

I've often told him, "You're lucky that you're cute. It makes people forget that you're as dumb as a doorpost!!!"

Besides, a lot of breeders are not terribly ethical. They want a "pretty dog" which my Lance is. Nobody except my own breeder seems to care that he's "as thick as two plates".

they actually do prescribe ritllin to dogs, some of which legit get diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or whatever. probably as a last resort though because as we all know all meds have potential negative side effects.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Todd

they actually do prescribe ritllin to dogs, some of which legit get diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or whatever. probably as a last resort though because as we all know all meds have potential negative side effects.

Wow, I didn't know that. But Buster really doesn't need meds. You can't fix stupid.

[Lara's mom]

My thoughts exactly. Stupidity is an incurable condition.

It's raining like crazy in Toronto for the second day in a row so, I still haven't had an opportunity to try out that splitter. Tomorrow, the weather is looking better so, hopefully those two maniacs will deign to leave the royal residence.

[Lara's mom]

Well, we finally got a sunny day in Toronto so, I hitched up those two Jack Russell "Terrors" to their new "splitter" and off we went for an early morning walk with Bailey on her own leash. What heaven!!! Nobody, including me got tangled up in leashes and the two little "Terrors" actually walked like civilized dogs!!! I had to keep looking down to assure myself that I was actually walking my two Jacks and not a couple of impostors.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Well, we finally got a sunny day in Toronto so, I hitched up those two Jack Russell "Terrors" to their new "splitter" and off we went for an early morning walk with Bailey on her own leash. What heaven!!! Nobody, including me got tangled up in leashes and the two little "Terrors" actually walked like civilized dogs!!! I had to keep looking down to assure myself that I was actually walking my two Jacks and not a couple of impostors.

Hooray--Sounds good and the start I'll bet to Lance's 'training' to being a smart little boy!!