Dog Walking Essentials

One of the joys of caring for a dog is taking them on their daily walk. Walking should be part of their daily routine. Not only will they get exercise, but it keeps them mentally stimulated. Because I sit and board dogs, it’s important to have items readily available. Whether you own a pup or work with them, these items will definitely come in handy.

I always like to carry a small cross body bag and include the following items so that we can have a wonderful walking experience. Mishaps can happen so it’s always best to be prepared.

A durable dog leash is very important. Some owners bring their dogs with worn leashes or the spring hooks may be  too loose or don’t snap tight enough. Having a durable leash is important and I always keep extras at home. I like to use nylon leashes. I am not a fan of the retractable leashes and therefore, do not use them.  I find them too difficult to use, and in my opinion are too big of a risk. There have been many published reports of accidents involving these type of leashes and it’s just not a risk that I am willing to take.

The above also goes for collars and harnesses. Inspect collars and harnesses to make sure that they are secure. Some harnesses have been known to pop open especially if the dog is a puller.

Also, check your municipality, mine requires all dogs be leashed when walked. If caught one can get fined so it’s important that my dogs be leashed when on walks. Learn the laws in the area that you live in.

All dogs should have ID tags on their collars. The ID tag should have their most current information, but most importantly be legible. If you board dogs, you may want to get tags with your own information on it and clip it on the dogs harness or collar as an extra added precaution.

Treats are very important. If a dog was ever to escape they may not listen, but if you have treats on hand you can at least try to coax them. Plus if they are well-behaved during the walk you can reward them towards the end.

One of my biggest pet peeves are when I am walking a dog and someone has left their dog’s waste behind without cleaning it up.  Not picking up after your dog is disgusting, unsanitary and just plain rude. Dog waste bags are a must and you can purchase all types of bags. You can find thick, scented ones and they sell eco-friendly bags as well. I would not suggest using regular plastic grocery bags. They are thin, flimsy and may even have holes in them.

Carrying a small bottle of water is also a good idea. Here in the east coast it can get very hot in the summer. You always want to make sure you have water on hand for your furry friends.

A small flash light will also come in handy for late night walks. Not only will it light your path, it will also allow you to find their waste for easy pick up. They also sell reflecting clothing that one can put on their dog or you can purchase LED safety blinking lights that will clip on to their collar for evening use.

Wipes are a good idea to carry in case the dog has diarrhea. They can also be used to wipe down their paws. You can also pack a microfiber towel. If it starts to rain during your walk you can wipe the dog down with these super absorbent towels.

Other miscellaneous items that I keep in my bag are my cell phone. Always good to have in case something occurs and you need to reach someone right away. I also use my camera feature so that I can take pictures of any special moments that I can send to pet parents when I send updates.

I also include an umbrella, as well as, latex gloves and a paper bag in case I need to throw something out and there are no garbage cans nearby. It may seem like a lot of items but many of these are compact and you may even be able to include them all in a fanny pack.

What are your dog walking essentials? Please comment below.