MY DOG WALKING ESSENTIALS
Any fresh air has been wonderful; and although I actually enjoy being home, so shelter in place hasn’t been that hard of an adjustment for me, I do enjoy the fresh air on our daily walks.
As a dog parent, I know the importance of daily walks for my pups. Getting out of the house for a nice, long walk is a great way to get much needed exercise and fresh air, and it also gives my dogs a chance to experience the outside world, especially since we have all been cooped-up for several weeks. And, I’m pretty sure I have been tiring out my dogs, who are used to sleeping all day while I was still able to go to work. Now they have a 24 hours-a-day full house with pet parents more than excited to take them for long walks.
It seems like now that we are all in 24-hour quarantine in our homes, I use an excuse to go walk my dogs. I’m pretty fortunate that I live in a pretty open suburb by California standards. We have horse trails, walking paths, and even a dog park nearby (although the dog park is closed for the time being due to COVID-19).
It’s super important to be prepared when taking your dog for a walk, especially since coronavirus is so widespread. It’s more than just grabbing a leash and your 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 (when we are not experiencing a global pandemic, although most items can still be used in these current times), and I’m sharing it with you today.
Walking Essentials For Dogs
Harness: My dogs each wear a harness to keep them from pulling and to protect their necks.
Leash: I prefer to walk my dogs on 6-foot leashes. This gives us enough room between each other and makes it easier for me to walk two dogs at the same time.
Tennis Balls: When we could still go to the dog park, this was The Pack’s favorite toy to play with; and sometimes I could even get them to play fetch with the tennis ball and not just chase it. We can’t wait to visit the dog park again!
Treats: Always good to have on hand, to reward good behavior or love on your dog for being cute.
Water Bowl: This is my favorite water bottle because it’s a bowl and dish in one. I can poor the water back into the container and save it for when my dogs need their next drink.
Hand Sanitizer: Since bathrooms aren’t usually around on our walks, I always like to clean my hands after I pick up dog poop or playing at the dog park. This is my favorite brand because it smells good, kills all the harmful bacteria, doesn’t leave your hands sticky, and they don’t test their products on animals.
Poop Bags: The importance of these can’t be over-emphasized. Always clean up after your dog!
My Dog Walking Essentials
iPhone: I never leave the house to go on a walk without my phone. My tip here is to have your vet’s number programmed in as a favorite contact; you never know when you might need it. And, of course, you will want to take lots of pictures and videos of your pups being cute.
Earbuds: Walking is also my relaxing decompressing time, and I love to listen to my favorite podcast or audiobooks when I walk.
Sunglasses: I live in sunny Southern California so walking with sunglasses keeps my eyes protected from the sun.
Apple Watch: I like to keep daily track of how many steps I take. I usually can tally up to three miles when I’m through walking all my dogs.
Wallet with ID and Money: It’s important to always have proper identification on you when you leave the house. I try to always remember my ID. And, one day when life returns to some sort of normalcy, The Pack and I will be able to resume our walks to Starbucks for iced tea.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: I can’t stress the importance of good, comfortable walking shoes that support your feet. Not only do proper walking shoes help your posture, but you will also feel less sore and recover quicker for your next round of walks.
Water Bottle: Just like it is important to keep your pup hydrated, you also need to keep tabs on yourself. Plus, no one wants to share their water with their slobbery pup.
Small Backpack: This is all a lot of “stuff” to keep track of. Rather than cram my pockets, I find it easiest to just keep everything in a small lightweight backpack.
I hope you all find this helpful. I know we are living in very uncertain time during the coronavirus pandemic, but remember that dogs thrive on routine and humans can reduces stress with exercise. This article was extremely helpful with understanding how you can safely walk your dog during these unprecedented times.
Remember that when you are walking your furry friend, practice social distancing, wear your face mask, don’t walk on crowded trails, or in groups, don’t let your dog’s off leash, and avoid having your dog greet other dogs. This has been especially difficult for Bunker the Beagle and my Scottie pup Becksie who are very social and friendly dogs. Stay healthy and stay safe, friends. We can all get through this together.
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