Anxious about how to prepare for your first dog walk? Looking to update your dog walking routine? Perhaps you're looking for some fresh new dog walking equipment. The sisters at Pawesome Pet Tags have got you covered with their top tips on what you need for a dog walk, how to prepare for a dog walk and 'must have' dog walking equipment.
How to prepare for a dog walk
Did you know dog owners are legally required to ensure their dog wears an identification tag in public places, the dog must also be microchipped with up to date contact information. You must also make sure your dog is up to date on their vaccinations to avoid contracting any fatal diseases. Visit the RSPCA website to learn what jabs a puppy needs and vaccinating your pet. Ensure you have taken all the legal steps before taking your dog out in public places.
Check the weather! Always look ahead and check the weather before you start your walk so you can be prepared for the conditions. For example, if it's raining make sure you and your dog have a waterproof coat or if it's hot bring extra water, you may even want to change your route to give your dog more shade. For accurate weather updates check BBC weather.
Plan your route before leaving home. If your dog is not behaving like themselves, suffering from an injury or heavily pregnant, it might not be the best time to attempt a 2 hour hike in the blistering cold together! Tune in with how your dog is feeling and plan your walking route accordingly. The National Trust website is a great source for dog walkers as it provides information regarding the difficulty, time and terrain of the walk with easy-to-follow instructions.
Anxious dogs, nervous dogs or hyper dogs may need extra dog walking equipment such as muzzles, compression jackets or medical alert dog tags. If you are walking a working dog, such as a seeing eye dog or police training dog, it is important they wear a uniform to inform others not to interact with the dog while they are working.
The phrase 'better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it' should be heavily applied when asking yourself what do I need for a dog walk. Once you've checked the weather, planned your route and assessed whether you dog requires any special equipment for your outing, you need to make sure that you have all the correct equipment packed and ready for your dog walk. We recommend making a dog walk checklist to ensure you don't leave anything behind.
Dog walk checklist
Collapsible water bowl
Dog collar, lead, harness & tag
Eco-friendly poop bags
Filled reusable water bottle (maybe two if it's hot)
Healthy dog treats
Reusable bag for wet/muddy equipment
Walking rucksack
Waterproof hooman clothes & dog coat (if necessary)
Wellies/walking boots
Getting your dog home after a walk
Think ahead to after the walk and the battle you'll face getting them in the car and back home covered in mud..water.. and dog knows what else! Use an old towel to wipe away any excess water or mud off your dog then use another old towel or waterproof sheet for your dog to sit on in the car. Before you leave home to go on your walk, prepare the dog bath station for a quick and easy- HA! - easier clean down once you get home.
Happy trails!
From our family to yours,
Scarlett & Hannah