Dog walking laws: how many can I walk at once?

Photo by: Blue Bird (Pexels)

Whether you have a growing pack, are looking after a friend’s dogs, or you’re planning to take dog walking on professionally, it is important to know how many dogs you can walk at once. While the upper limit is typically six, there are a range of considerations.

From the requirements for professional dog walkers, to preparing with the right equipment, this guide will help you to understand the factors that should inform your decision around maintaining control and ensuring that the whole pack, no matter the size, has a fun-packed and safe walk.

• How many dogs can you legally walk at once?
• How many dogs should you walk at once?
• Professional dog walking rules
• Choosing the right gear
• Walking multiple dogs - TopDog’s tips and advice
• Find your perfect pack balance

How many dogs can you legally walk at once?

The short answer is, between four and six, but it depends on where you live. While there isn't a single, blanket law, there is a trend toward stricter Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in some parts of the UK.

Local councils commonly use PSPOs to combat anti-social behaviour and ensure public safety. The type of restrictions can include:

• Specific limits on the number of dogs per walker.

• Designated "dogs on lead" zones.

• Strict exclusion zones (like playgrounds).

With a typical £100 on the spot fine for non-compliance, it’s important to follow the guidance and be sure about the rules in your favourite walking spots.

How many dogs should you walk at once?

The RSPCA and Blue Cross suggest that even for professionals, four dogs is the sweet spot for maintaining individual attention and safety. But, to decide how many is right for you will depend on your confidence and understanding the needs of each individual pup in the pack.

Can you maintain ‘proper control’?

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offense to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

No matter how many you are walking, if just one of your dogs cannot be effectively restrained when it lunges you are technically breaking the law.

For these reasons, it’s important to consider the personality mix of your pack. If you have some more boisterous pups, consider walking them in smaller groups. Similarly, if you have a new dog joining your walks, decrease the number of dogs until they are fully integrated.

Understand the dog’s needs

Every dog is different and walking groups should be determined by the most suitable combinations. For example, smaller dogs will require a different type of walk to larger, more powerful dogs. Older dogs could require a slower pace and young pups may need more lead training before they progress to walking in a group.

Breed, health, personality and the weather can all impact the length of walk required, but so can relationships. Make sure there is consistency in the group walking routine to prevent behavioural issues among the dogs.

Professional dog walking rules

Photo by: Sergei Starostin (Pexels)

Unlike dog boarding or breeding, you currently don’t need a national licence to be a dog walker in the UK. However, local permits are becoming more common in popular parks and woodlands.

Most councils cap the number of dogs a professional can walk at once between four and six, so always check your local council’s website to see what is required to operate your business on public land.

Many urban areas with limited outdoor space, particularly in London boroughs like Wandsworth, have introduced formal licensing schemes for professional walkers. These often cap professional walkers to four dogs before a permit is required.

Insurance is another key consideration and is crucial to protect against injuries and property damage. Most standard UK dog walking insurance policies will only cover you for a maximum of 6 dogs.

Choosing the right gear

Photo by: TopDog

“The secret to walking multiple dogs safely isn't just arm strength, it’s equipment. When you are managing a blend of personalities on one end of the lead, knowing they are safe and secure is essential.” says TopDog co-owner John Skinner. “Collars can put unnecessary pressure on a dog's neck, and cheap materials can be uncomfortable or cause slips.”

Designed for durability and maximum control, TopDog harnesses feature:

• Secure multi-point attachments: Allowing you to guide each dog with precision.

• No-pull engineering: Essential when the ‘pack mentality’ kicks in and one dog decides to chase a squirrel.

• Comfort: Padding and materials that ensure your dogs remain comfortable and chafe-free, even on long professional treks.

ID tags and chips

If one of the pack gets loose, it is much harder to chase them down when your hands are full of other leads! As well as being a legal requirement, ID tags and chipping are an important precaution for group walks.

Should the worst happen and a dog becomes lost after slipping their lead, chips and tags will make sure they are quickly found and returned home safely.

Read our guide to tagging your dog for more information.

Walking multiple dogs - TopDog’s tips and advice

• Always check for PSPOs in the areas you plan to walk.

• The upper limit should always be determined by how many dogs you feel comfortable handling.

• Get to know each dog’s temperament on individual lead walks before adding them to the pack.

• Balance the dog’s needs when creating walking groups

• Each dog must have their own lead and tags.

• Develop the routine consistently to build good habits.

• Walk in quiet areas to minimise the distractions caused by people, traffic and other dogs.

Find your perfect pack balance

Photo by: Blue Bird (Pexels)

There is no simple answer to how many dogs you should walk at once as the combination of puppy personalities, legal restrictions and the length and location of the walk will all inform your decision.

By investing in high-quality harnesses and planning carefully, every walk can be safe and fun, no matter how many dogs join you!

Explore TopDog’s colourful range of harnesses and then check our blog for more expert tips, guides and insights.