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I have developed osteoarthritis in my hands, primarily my left hand. This is a real problem for walking my own dogs (28 lb Boston and 42 lb pocket boxer) but even more so for the dogs I sometimes foster because most of them are not leash trained.
Any suggestions? My backyard (w/doggie window) has a very small (maybe 100 x 30 feet) fenced in area because my home sits on a cliff and the rest of the property drops down drastically 25' and is not fenced. So, these dogs don't get good exercise in the by; I walk them about 2 miles a day.
Taking them to the dog park is not a good option for me. My BT isn't well behaved in the small side, and can be prey on the big dog side. Also, the dogs pull and tug so much between car and park gate with excitement. But my hand problems are becoming overwhelming......
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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UGH! I'm sorry for your problems. That sounds painful.
I've never done this but I've heard of it being done for a variety of reasons, many of which involve incessant pulling on the leash: Attaching the leash to your belt loop so that you're walking hands-free. Also, apparently, it eases up on the pulling. I don't know how, but that's what I've read. For you, though, the hands-free bit is the important part. Maybe it's worth a try?
Just be careful. I imagine that if I clipped Artie's leash to my belt loop that he'd just pull me down. In reading about it, nobody's mentioned that, but maybe it's just my fear of the icy conditions here and breaking my leg again!
might be worth seeing if any local kids want to make a few bucks by helping you walk the dogs...
the belt leashes/hands free are great for walking 1 dog at a time but for multiple dogs they can get messy.
there are leashes out there with built in padded handles that might be worth looking into and bungee leashes might be a good choice too...something along these lines Larz Equipment Dog Leash
or
Tug Free Traffic Tandem Dog Lead | Specialty Dog Leashes | Dog Safety Leashes & Hands Free Leashes from FetchDog (http://www.fetchdog.com/pet-supplies/dogleashes/specialty-dogleashes/tug-free-traffic-tandem-dog-lead/00348 - broken link)
id also suggest using no pull harnesses, either the easywalks or halti-head harnesses or even the sporn no pulls...i think a no pull or easy walk combined with a padded handle bungee leash would definatly help put you in more firm control while being a little easier on the hands.
i actually made a special hands free leash for when im walking multiple dogs, i took a good quality leather belt, attatched d rings 3 on either side, i can clip standard leashes with a small cabinara clip to each d-ring...im a big girl so im not too worried about being pulled over, but i also wouldnt walk multiple dogs on any system unless they had good leash manners and start out with 2 dogs and work up because if you try to walk multiple dogs with bad manners and that arnt used to the added rules of multi-walking you end up a tangled mess and even a relitivly small dog can give a strong enough tug to pull someone not paying attention off their feet.
I watch 'Its me or the dog' and she usually just turns around and goes back the way they came. It teaches them that if they pull they aren't going to get where they want to go by pulling
I have the easy walk and a couple of other harnesses. My pocket boxer gets severe rubs on her chest from harnesses; have even sewed coverings on the chest strap and didnt help. But that was about a year ago; will try again. I will start shopping for new leashes/harnesses/belt leashless configuations. Good ideas. Thanks all....... Starting to think I just can't foster boxers or young adult dogs. Maybe just become a sanctuary for the golden/unadoptables over time.....
I don't have any solutions for a traditional walk, but if it becomes too painful,, can you use Caesar's idea and get a treadmill to walk them on? They can go out in the fenced in yard to get sunshine and fresh air, but be exercised on the treadmill.
I have arthritis in my hands too. I use the sense-ation harness to reduce pulling, and I slip the loop of the leash over my wrist and wrap the strap around my hands a couple of times. It eases the pressure. Also I tie a knot in the leash near the top. It gives me a little something extra to hold onto if I really need to.
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