Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and should not be used as legal advice.

There is no UK wide law covering how many dogs can be walked by one person at the same time. However, local councils have their own rules covering this.

In general, the rules are:

  • A maximum number of 4 at once for the general public
  • A maximum of 6 dogs at once for professional dog walkers

It is important to remember that this does vary from council from council. Ignoring an individual council’s rules can lead to you being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

 

Public Spaces Protection Order

How many dogs that can be walked at once should be covered by a council’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). As the rules are council dependent, they differ depending on where you are in the country.

These PSPO’s cover a wide range of other dog walking rules, like a complete ban on dogs on beaches, where you’re allowed to take your dog off leash, or making it a requirement to carry poo bags.

If you are unsure of the rules of where you’ll taking your dogs, you should find the local councils website to check their PSPO guidelines.

 

Professional dog walkers

Some council’s allow professionals to walk up to 6 dogs at one time. This number can also be dependent on the maximum number of dogs started on the walker’s insurance policy. If a dog walker walks alongside other dogs, they can be limited to only 4 dogs at once.

For more information, see RSPCA’s Professional Dog Walkers’ Guidelines document.

 

Dangerously out of control dogs

Although the maximum number of dogs you can walk is council specific, it is against UK law to have your dogs dangerously out of control anywhere. This includes if a dog under your control attacks someone or an animal, or if someone fears for their safety because of your dog’s actions.

Penalties for failing to control dogs can get dog walkers an unlimited fine and even a prison sentence.

Further information on gov.uk: Controlling your dog in public

 

General advice for walking multiple dogs safely and legally

  • Always check your council’s PSPO if you’re unsure of the rules.
  • You should only ever walk as many dogs you are comfortable handling.
  • Ensure all dogs have their dog tags visible and microchips up to date.
  • Each dog must have their own lead.
  • You should know if all dogs are properly leashed trained before taking them out as a group. If just one dog in the group has poor leash discipline, this can affect other dog’s behaviour and can become unmanageable.
  • Take the dogs out for walks individually before going as a group. This way you can assess how well behaved they are and you can get a better understanding of the each dog’s behaviour.
  • Some dogs can go on longer walks than others, so keep in mind each dog’s physical limitations. This is very dependent on the dog’s breed, age, and general fitness.
  • Keep to the same walking order when taking the same group of dogs out. This consistency can help establish a hierarchy and help prevent dominance related behavioural issues.
  • Pick quiet and open areas when choosing a walking route. You will want to minimise the number of people, and other dogs, you run into.