​YOUR ESSENTIAL DOG WALKING KIT

With the longer evenings and (hopefully) better weather now upon us, enjoying long walks with your dog is more pleasurable than ever. This is especially true if you go well prepared and take a little emergency kit with you. After all, if, like us here at Aqueos, you love rambling far from the madding crowd, having a few things to hand can make your walk fuss-free and fun!

Here is a breakdown of some useful items to pack before you go.

First Aid Kit

Essential for both dogs and humans, make sure you have antiseptic wipes, a bandage or two (Vetwraps are ideal as they stick to themselves), some spray-on plaster, and blood stop gel. Your first aid kit doesn’t have to be big; just think about the things that could happen far from civilisation that you can deal with at a push – such as wound treatment.

Dog Wipes

Dogs love to roll; we may think it’s disgusting and smelly, but to a dog there is nothing better than covering themselves with something unmentionable! Pop a few wipes into your bag, and you can give your dog a quick wipe down before he jumps back in the car. Aqueous disinfectant wipes are really convenient yet are a great deodoriser. They also come in a handy pouch that you can slip into your pocket for any eventuality or occasion. Never leave home without them!

Brightly Coloured Ball

Of course, your dog’s ball is an obvious item to take with you, but make sure you take a bright ball that you can see in the grass. Nothing is more annoying than not being able to spot the ball in the grass.

Portable Water

Dogs love to lap at any water they come in contact with, including muddy puddles. Just remember, dogs don’t sweat like us (they do have small sweat glands in their paws, but they are not an efficient method of cooling your dog); instead, they pant and need water to help cool them down. You can get little bottles with their own bowl attached that clip onto your belt – very handy when you are out and about.

Lead

Even if your dog is good off the lead, when you are walking on footpaths that cross fields of stock, you must always have your dog on a lead. It’s better to avoid fields with stock in if you can, but if you are on a circular walk or a long-distance footpath, they are sometimes unavoidable. So be respectful and keep your dog on a lead.

Towel

A towel is a must to rub him down at the end of the walk, particularly if it is muddy or wet. Not only will it dry him off and make him more comfortable, but it will also save your car from a battering courtesy of your dog.

Hand Sanitiser

It’s always handy to have sanitiser for yourself, particularly if your dog loves to roll, leaving you to clean him up. A quick pump will keep you fresh and germ-free.

Make the most of the summer months ahead and get out there with your dog. He’ll love you all the more, and with your walking kit at the ready, even his less sociable habits will be less offensive. We all know dogs love mud, wet and smells, but with a little preparation you’ll be taking it in your stride.