Donald Graham is a Calimesa, California entrepreneur who focuses on the rehabilitation of distressed properties. Among Donald Graham’s abiding interests are animals, and he has two dogs in Calimesa that he enjoys spending time with every day.

When taking two dogs out on a walk, it’s essential that both canines are already familiar with you and the concept of calmly walking on a leash. The dogs must not only feel relaxed with each other but with you as a pet owner, and be mature enough not to engage in excess lunging or barking. Unfortunately, dogs will sometimes learn the wrong types of behaviors from their interactions while being taken for a walk with another canine.

The key is to be consistent in actions and not allow pulling the leash in one situation and not in another. Keep in mind that, if it gets to the point where the dogs are emotionally aroused, this is not the time for teaching a lesson. Rather, strive to be a calm and reassuring force and re-exert the usual rules when the dogs calm down.

Even in situations where the dogs are relaxed and friendly, leash pulling can take the joy out of taking the dogs for some exercise. Getting canines to walk on a loose leash, quickly heeling on command, can make walking them much more pleasant. One key is to stop walking whenever the leash is pulled and only resume when there is slack in the line. This will eventually teach the dogs that walking only happens when they stay close to one’s side.