Things You Should Always Take On A Dog Walk

Getting your dog out for a walk is a great exercise for both you and your dog and it gives your dog something to look forward to every day. However, making sure you have the right equipment with you will make your walk much more enjoyable for both of you. The items you need to carry depends on where you’re walking, the time of year, and the weather but there are some essentials you should always have on you.

That is why we recommend you always take these 9 things with you on your dog walks.

A Good Dog Leash and a No Pull Harness

A good fixed-length dog leash. I don’t recommend extendible leashes because they train your to dog to pull and have been known to come with numerous safety concerns: thin lines can cause cuts and burns, the locking mechanism can jam and dogs can get tangled which can cause injury to themselves and others if they panic and try to get loose.

A spare leash in case something happens to the one you’re using. I’ve used the spare leash more than once when I have come across a lost dog.

I love using a no-pull harness when out walking because it helps me to stop unwanted pulling. These harnesses gently prevent pulling by changing the fulcrum point of the leash. A harness will also protect your dog’s trachea from injury.

You might also enjoy reading: Does My Dog Need A Harness?

Dog Walking Bag

I like a bag I can put around my waist to carry all the items I need for my walk.  This is a great place to keep your treats, poop bags/dispenser, treats, phone, first aid items or anything else that you may need to have with you on your walk.

Water and something to drink it from

I like to carry an extra water bottle for the dogs and Collapsible bowls for the dogs to drink from while out walking. Collapsible dog bowls are lightweight and do not take up much space. Your dog needs to stay hydrated while she’s out exploring and since she can’t ask for a drink it’s up to you to monitor her need for water.

Poop Bags

These are a must and plenty of them. Cleaning up after your dog is the neighborly thing to do and it will help curb the spread of disease. You can get poop bag holders to carry your poop bags in and attach them to your leash so you don’t forget them.

I like to get biodegradable poop bags that have plant-based material in them so they degrade better.

Treats

It takes time and being consistent to teach your dog good leash manners. Always having a good-tasting treat on hand will help to maintain those good behaviors.

You might also enjoy reading: Choosing A Dog Training Treat

Phone

Make sure to have your phone with you and that it is charged. You never know when you or your dog will have an injury and you’ll have to call for help.

Flashlight/Headlamp

If you are walking at night these can come in handy for things like picking up dog poo. I also like to clip small lights onto my dogs’ harness and my dog walking bag so cars can see us easier.

Citronella/Pepper Spray

I have one of these on me to prevent a dog fight. I prefer to use Citronella spray since it’s a lot kinder than pepper spray but I will keep both on me. They are both deterrents that will not cause harm but can save my dog in the event of a loose dog running up and attacking. Pepper spray is not allowed in all states in California you are allowed to carry a container of 2.5 oz or less.

Emergency Card

An emergency card that lists how many dogs I should have with me and a short description of each dog with my name and the number of a person who can be called in the event I am incapacitated.