Whether you’re planning a long trek or a stroll through the neighborhood, there are a few things you should plan on bringing when you walk your dog.
The number one most important thing to bring? Poop bags. Some dogs won’t squat on a walk; some dogs will squat many many times. My Miko was the latter sort of dog. Every walk was a three-poop minimum. Just when I thought he couldn’t possibly poop any more, he would pause and leave me a present. To this day, more than two years after he passed away in his sleep, I will still find bags tucked into the pockets of my jackets.
And as a side note, your bags don’t have to be fancy. I like using grocery store fruit and veggie bags, myself. Every time we go to the store, I grab a few extra bags to stick in the drawer where I keep the leashes and collars. You can also use empty bread bags, or the bag your newspaper is delivered in! Just make sure the bag you choose doesn’t have a hole in it. EW!
Other things to bring on your walk?
- Treats. If your dog is especially well behaved, you should reward him immediately! It also doesn’t hurt to have a treat on hand in case you meet another pup on your walk.
- Water. If you are planning a longer walk, or if the weather is warm, bring a little water for your pup (and yourself)! Some dogs can lap out of a squeeze bottle, some dogs will drink out of your cupped hands, and some dogs need some sort of bowl. You can buy collapsible bowls, or bottles with attached bowls at your local pet store or online.
- Your cell phone. Just in case anything happens, you should have your phone on you when you are walking.
- Your house keys. Don’t laugh! I have actually locked myself AND my dogs out of the house because I forgot my keys. Thanks to a neighbor with a ladder, I was able to climb in through an open upstairs window. It would have been much easier to just bring the keys.