Top 10 Must-Haves for Dog Walking Gear

Whether you're a rookie or a veteran in the business, you know that your clients (both human and canine) rely on you to always be prepared and professional. Make your life and your business more efficient and enjoyable with this checklist of our Top 10 Must-Haves for Dog Walking Gear, compiled with the help of our new friend Claudia Kawczynska, editor in chief of The BARk Magazine:

1.  Collapsible water bowl and water.
You can lead a dog to water, but you can't always make him drink. As Claudia says, "Collapsible water bowls [are great] for longer walks and for dogs who will not drink from a bottle or faucet. [I love] Itzadog.com’s Zuka bowls." Also check out the bargain-priced collapsible bowls from Outward Hound and Planet Dog Outfitters at PetSmart.com.

2.  Cell phone, fully charged, loaded with emergency contact info for clients, local veterinary hospital, and cab companies.
Every dog walker knows that having a cell phone handy is a must, but pre-loading it with important contact information can save you valuable minutes in an emergency. We always hope we'll never need the emergency info, but if a dog gets bitten, injured, or suddenly shows emergency symptoms, time is of the essence.

3.  Great shoes, waterproof rain gear, extra socks, and good layers.
As the saying goes, "When they've gotta go, you've gotta go." No matter the forecast, it's a dog walker's duty to get out there and get those dogs exercised. Dress and pack appropriately, even for the unexpected, and you'll be a much happier camper indeed. Claudia says that, "During wet, cold weather there is nothing like Gore-Tex socks (for you) to keep your feet dry. They are expensive (about $50), but well worth it if you spend much time as I do walking/hiking with your dog.

4.  Dog treats.
Rewards and praise for good behavior are an essential part of dog walking and exercising a dog off-leash, no matter how old the dog. Know your canine clients' diet restrictions and allergies, and find the right brands and recipes for your business. Claudia recommends that "small, easily digestible treats like Zuke's Minis work best during walks."

5.  Toys.
A trip to the dog park is never complete without a good game of fetch, frisbee, or catch-me-if-you-can. It's important to know and plan around any canine clients with sharing issues or toy aggression. Care.com dog walkers love the Orbee-Tuff by Planet Dog "Fetch" and "Woof" balls, the Kong Flyer frisbee, and the Chuckit ball launcher from Canine Hardware.

6.  Good keychain / key ring and key organizers / key tags with labels.
Each new client you take means a new set of keys to keep track of, and a good organizational system is "key." If you have just a few clients (or a great memory), have fun with these personality-stacked key caps from Worldwide Fred (styles include Freakeys, Skeleton Keys, Key Shirts, or Monkeys), Lounge Fly, or Streamline. If you need more help with the details, go with standard stock labels from Avery or key ID ring sets from PBEE. Care.com dog walkers love the standard carribeener for clipping sets of keys to their belt loop or bag strap.

7.  Poop bags—and plenty of them.
Let's be honest: this business is all about the business, and a dog's business must be picked up. Keep plenty on hand ("Always carry more than you think you might need," Claudia says), especially in case you meet a wayward dog owner who's without one (goodwill goes a long way!) Our favorites are Bags on Board (including a dispenser that clips to any leash!) and Mutt Mitts.

8.  First aid / emergency kit.
Expect the unexpected is a great motto for any dog walker. No matter how well-trained or careful you are, accidents do happen, or a dog in your care could get sick or injured. Along with a well-stocked and fully charged cell phone, you may want to grab a first aid kit, like the Bow Ow pet first aid set from Creative Pet Products.

"The other item that I find indispensable, especially during the short-day months, is a small flashlight," Claudia said. "I actually have a tiny one attached to my jacket’s zipper tab. Makes finding things, like the poop under the bush, much easier. I also carry a Fox-40 whistle, a super loud whistle whose sound carries even in windy conditions. Not only good to have if your dog gets loose and is not responding to you, but also for your own personal safety (great alerter)."

9.  Business cards and "portable office."
As a professional dog walker, one of the first things you learn "on the job" is that most of your business is gained through either meeting dog owners at the park or through word of mouth. Always be prepared to work on both by carrying a stack of business cards or postcards about your services with you on your walks, and always have a small notebook and pen handy for taking notes or writing down contact information.

10.  Extra leash and adjustable collar.
Last, but certainly not least, is the extra leash set…just in case one of your dogs gets loose, or their own collar or leash breaks. "I recommend, especially for medium to large dogs, a good sturdy leather leash over just about any other material," Claudia said. "It's not only soft on your hands (even if your dog is a perfect heeler, there might be times—squirrel anyone?—when even the best dog will try to pull you off your feet) but the strength of leather works best. Plus it lasts for a lifetime."

BONUS TIP:

With all that gear, it's also important to have a great bag or system for toting it around that's not burdensome and allows you to access gear quickly.

"One thing that I have learned during my years at the other end of the leash is that pockets matter, the more of them the merrier," Claudia said. "I like jackets with big roomy pockets, and cargo pants provide additional pocket re-enforcements!"

In terms of durability and accessibility, Care.com dog walkers think it doesn't get much better than Manhattan Portage. If you're going for style, check out these canvas totes for cute factor or instant marketing.

What's on YOUR list of must-haves for favorite dog walking gear? Share your thoughts with our pet sitting community by posting a comment!

PS ~ Courtesy of our friend Claudia, Care.com pet sitters and blog readers can enjoy a free trial subscription to The BARk Magazine! Sign up now.

Comments

[Holly Childs]

I always carry a towel and a good brush for after-walk clean up on rainy days. I also keep a lint roller in my vehicle in case I have to meet with a prospective client between my regular stops.

[Lori]

I have my own double thick, 4' leash with a coupler if I have 2 dogs, you never know what kind of crazy leash the client may have.
I also have a hat with my company name on it.

[Lori Rosdahl]

Hi: My personal dog walking tool as a fellow dog walker is a can of Direct Stop. When I am walking dogs, sometimes I come across strays that may be a little too
forthcoming. So Direct stop is good to have on hand.

[Julie Fredrick]

I also carry pressurized citronella spray (Direct Stop) to deter other dogs that may be loose. The ideas in the article are excellent! - Julie Fredrick, The Pet Sitter LLC Boise, ID

[Sylvia Rose Boronski]

Try to use a leash with a bull clip instead of the regular type on most dog leashes. Also check the stitching that holds the clip onto the leash to make sure it is SECURE! I lost a dog because of the stitching coming out of a Brand NEW Leash. I recovered his body 7 weeks later with the clip still attached to his collar but the leash stayed with me. He panicked and ran.
He'd come back to where he broke free a few times, but unfortunately would not enter the cage trap. He was 11 years old.

[Dedi Wood]

My favorite item is the hands free (waist) leash. I have a holder for poop bags, cell phone, water, etc. and my hands are free so if I need them I can use them. LOVE THE HANDS FREE leashes..everything is located right at my waist. Well worth the money.

[Julie]

I always make sure I have poop bags and cell phone with me. The leashes are always the expansion ones that lock. I also have a hat with my name on it and business cards in my pockets for when I meet new people.

[Stop Dog Chewing Feet]

I will commend people who will bring poop bags when they go dog walking. Last poster also gave me an idea. My pet Labrador never fails to gain attention and that's a wonderful opportunity to give business cards!