Dog Walking Tips
The best dog walks are a blend of good dog training and good preparation. If those all work together, it is possible to have a really great walk even when the weather is terrible. In fact, many dog and people walking teams find their walks to be the best part of their day.
Just in case you forgot, while people are usually focused on the dog and the urgent need to walk them, there are a boatload of benefits for the person, too. Walking is a terrific way to lose weight. It is also an ideal way to decompress after work, and to get out of the house and see the world outside of the walls of your house and office. It is an excellent time to think and to have a moment of peace in a world that seems like it has gone into permanent hyperdrive.
There are a couple of things you should take on every dog walk. Here's the list
1) A leash.
I could (and should) write a whole article about leashes, but here's the short version: take one. Even if you plan to walk your dog off leash, you need to carry a leash in case you meet unfriendly dogs, or if you run into people or children who are afraid of dogs. Sometimes there are also unforeseeable safety situations where you will need a leash. So just take one. Some of the smaller, lighter ones weigh barely 4 ounces. Consider keeping an extra one in your car for spur of the moment walks.
If your dog tends to pull, you may need more than just a leash. You can train your dog not to pull by just stopping every time they start to tug too hard. This will work, but for the first week or so it may take you three hours to get around the block.
If you are not that patient, get halter or a "gentle leader
2) Dog pick-up bags
Take at least two for each walk. Professional dog walkers may also want to bring paper towels for unmentionable situations, and possibly an extra, larger bag to hold "the bag" in if you are going to have to walk a bit until you get to a trash can. Many of us like to carry little travel tubes of Purelle or another hand sanitizer. (Note to singles: Offering to share your Purelle to another dog walker is a great introduction).
3) Treats
You should always be rewarding and enforcing good behavior. Dog walks are ideal training time, even if you are just passively training.
Water
If you are going out during a warm day, or for a walk longer than half an hour, bring a small bottle of water. You can give the dog a drink from the water bottle by cupping your hand underneath to form a crude dish. Of course, you probably are not going to want to drink out of the bottle after this. So if you're thirsty, drink from the bottle first, then give your dog the rest.
There are also some excellent foldable dog dishes. Some of these are big and a bit expensive, like $14 each. I like the ones from Outward Hound, which fold up very small, weigh maybe 3 ounces, and come in a pack of four for about $6.
If even that seems like a hassle to carry, use an ultralight backpacking trick and just bring a little plastic bag (a clean one, please, not a doggie bag). If you hold up the edges carefully you can pour water in for your dog to drink from. With a little practice it is as easy to use as a bowl, and in a pinch you can sacrifice your dog watering bag to the more urgent need for a doggie poop bag. Besides, doggie water bags get a bit worn out after a few months, anyway. Please wash them after every few uses so your dog does not have to drink from a funky container.
Safety
Call me paranoid, but when me and my dog are around traffic, I stay very alert. Walking at night or in the very early morning can be a very nice experience, and if you live where it gets really hot during the day, you may be forced to go out during dimmer hours to avoid the heat.
Keeping your dog on a leash is a good start, but if you want some backup, get some good quality reflective tape and put it around the outside of their collar. Just in case your dog ever got off leash (that never happens, right?) you or an oncoming car might be able to see the reflection and find your dog. I put reflective tape on the back of my dog's medical and city tags, as well.
This may be overkill, but I am going to tell you about two other things I like, especially for night walking or for trail walking. For night, there are small flashing clip lights that bicyclists use. They cost about $10 and if you get a good one, you can keep it on. Or you can up the ante and get one of these safety lights made specifically for dogs, like the PupLight Dog Safety Light
The other thing that I've come to use a lot is a bear bell. There are actually bears where I hike, but frankly the likihood of ever running into one is remote. I put it on the dog when I let him off leash, and it has been really handy for finding him when he runs off, or just goes a bit ahead on the trail, or behind a tree. It is excellent backup "radar" to keep tabs on him. It has also been helpful for warning other hikers that there's a dog ahead. Not all dogs on the trail are friendly, so it is nice to give people a little heads up. Get a bear bell with a magnetic silencer
MORE DOG WALKING ARTICLES:
How to Start a Dog Walking Business
How to Write a Dog Walking Business Plan
Dog Walking for Children and Teens
Dog Walking Services: Dogs' Day Out
Be the Best Dog Walker in Your Town
How to Handle Aggressive Dogs
How to Get a Dog Walking Job
Dog Walking Franchises
Additional Dog Services to Offer
Walking Puppies
How to Advertise and Promote a Dog Walking Business
How to Get Insurance for Your Dog Walking Business
How to Get Experience with Dog Walking and Dog Training
Pricing Your Dog Walking Services
Would You Make a Good Dog Walker? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Find Out
How To Interview Clients: The Owners and Their Dogs
Dog Training Basics Every Dog Walker Must Know: Dog Walkers' Obedience Training
Dog Walking Safety Tips
Dog First Aid
Dog Walking Etiquette
Dog Walking Flyers
Dog Walking Business Names
How to Stop a Dog Fight
Dog Walking Business Cards
Dog Walking Rates
Dog Walking Tips
Reviews of Dog Walking Business Books
Dog Walking Forms