As a dog mom, I know the importance of daily walks for my girls. Getting out of the house for a nice, long walk is a great way not only to get much needed exercise and fresh air, but it also gives my dogs a chance to experience the outside world.
It’s super important to be prepared when taking your dog for a walk. It’s not as simple as just grabbing a leash and a dog and heading out the door. It takes a little bit of forethought and planning. That’s why I’ve put together a few of the dog walking essentials that I take with me on each and every walk, and I’m sharing it with you today.
Dog Walking Essentials
1) Good walking shoes. The first item on my list of must-have dog walking essentials is a great pair of shoes for me. I want to be comfortable, and I need a shoe that will keep up with my active dogs.
I recently had the opportunity to give Icebugs a try, and I found them to be super comfortable, stylish, and perfect for the many terrains that my dogs and I encounter on our walks.
I’ve been wearing the ANIMA L RB9X, pictured below. This is a running shoe, but it’s also great for dog walking in any weather conditions. These shoes are lightweight, easy on and off, and as you can see, they’re also gorgeous.
But if you’re not a fan of the bright pink, which Icebug calls peony, no worries. There are lots of different colors and styles to choose from. Click here to find an Icebug retailer in your area.
2) Mini flashlight. If you’re walking your dog at night, it’s always a good idea to have a flashlight with you. This little one is easy to manage and can even attach to your dog walking bag (see below).
3) A good leash. I love the super high quality of these leashes from Karma Collars. Their collars are amazing, too.
4) A harness. I written about Puppia harnesses before. Both of my dogs wear them every day. They’re soft and flexible, machine washable, and come in so many amazing colors.
5) Portable water bottle. I love this one because it’s a bottle and a dish in one. Super easy to keep your mutt hydrated on your walk.
6) Poop bags. The importance of these cannot be over-emphasized. Please clean up after your dog!
7) Pepper spray. I wish this weren’t necessary, but you just never know when it might come in handy. Be prepared to protect yourself and your dog!
8) Shoulder bag. Put all your stuff inside a stylish bag. Be sure to include your cell phone, keys, and even some hand sanitizer. I like this one because it’s cruelty-free.
What are your dog walking essentials? I’d love for you to share them with me in a comment below.
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Poop bags and a leash are what I grab. I believe pepper spray is illegal here, and fortunately not necessary. Shoes are usually whatever are near the door.
I love this list, these essentials are very similar to mine! I don’t carry pepper spray yet, but I’ve considered it many times, because we have a huge off-leash dogs problem over here. I’m also still on a lookout for a great bag to fit all of the essentials in, as the one we’ve had before got worn out on our adventures! But here’s what I do carry with me, aside from what you’ve already mentioned: a treat pouch, a cell phone and a toy! ๐ And if I’m with my youngest one I’ll also take the long lead. ๐
Fortunately (I believe I am, anyway) I live in a rural area, with the nearest neighbors at least 1/2 mile away. There are lots of places I can go – the woods are very nice – without seeing one person, so about the only thing I would need from this list are good shoes. At the moment, though, I don’t have any dogs, as 3 of them passed away in the last two years from old age and cancer. I do miss those walks. Some days, my dogs were the only reason I could drag myself outside! Thanks for your informative post! Peace
I have one of the gulpy water bottles, and I just love it! A friend gave it to me as a gift a couple of years back.
Most of our walks are training walks, and Logan slobbers a lot…. So, I also take a rag with me that I can loop through my belt to use for wiping my hands.
I also make sure that I always take my cell phone. You never know what might happen!