9 Types of Dog Walker Equipment You Need Now

Owning a dog walking business is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, play with dogs, and get paid in the process. Although being a professional dog walker may sound like a dream job, it’s not always fun and games. To run it successfully, you need the right dog walker equipment.

Luckily, there are several ways to start or enhance your dog walking business by getting the right equipment. Owning the right equipment can take your business from a small operation to a large profitable venture.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, here are the nine types of dog walker equipment you need now.

1. Heavy-Duty Leashes

When you’re in charge of walking a dog, you want to make sure that you can control your pup with ease. You never want to be in a situation where you’re chasing a dog down the street.

When you’re on the job, ensure that you’re using a high-quality leash.

Luckily, there are many different types of leashes out there that can help you on your walks. A heavy-duty leash can be the difference between a pleasant evening stroll and a high-speed chase after a runaway dog.

Multi Leash

One leash that you should look into if you want to enhance your dog walking business is a multi-leash. A multi-leash has multiple clips or holds. These allow you to walk more than one dog at once and still only hold one leash.

As your business grows, you may find yourself walking more than one dog at a time. If this is the case, then a multi-leash is a necessary piece of equipment for your freelance dog walking business.

Multi-leashes also ensure that you won’t get tangled up in a bunch of different leashes. Your dogs will all have their own space, and you’ll be able to handle all of them with ease.

Retractable Leash

If you only have to worry about one furry friend, you can invest in a durable retractable leash. A retractable dog leash allows you to give your dog some more wiggle room on your walks and easily adjust to different lengths.

If you find yourself in a busy area, you can make the leash shorter to keep your dog closer to you. And if you end up in a more open space, you can give your dog more room to roam.

Leather Leashes

If you need something more durable or have larger dogs that you walk, try going for a leather leash. Leather leashes are strong and can hold more weight than rope leashes.

Overall, you should find a leash that is durable and works well for your walks. Whether it’s one dog or ten, as a dog walker a leash is one of the only things you need. So make sure you get a great one.

2. Dog Collars

As your dog walking business grows, you’ll start walking dogs of all different shapes and sizes. With so many varieties of dogs, you’ll never be in a one-collar-fits-all situation.

To be an exceptional dog walker, you should invest in dog collars. Having extra dog collars of different sizes can come in handy. Since dog walking is a daily activity, you may find yourself walking new dogs from time to time.

Although most dogs already have collars, it’s great to have extras in case of any break on the go. A dog’s collar may also fit poorly or not match your leash, so having extras can always help your business.

Everyday Collar

When you think of a dog collar, a little collar with a shiny dog tag comes to mind. That’s the everyday collar. Everyday collars are inexpensive, and many are adjustable.

Because of their versatility, they are fantastic to have as extras. You can also opt for everyday collars with buckles or easy-release clasps. The buckles add strength, which is ideal when walking larger-breed dogs.

Martingale Collars

Also known as greyhound collars, Martingale collars prevent your dog chargers from slipping out of the collar during your walks. With a tug of the leash, the collar tightens, but a built-in mechanism ensures that the collar does not close completely and harm the dog.

Dog Harness

If you find that you are walking smaller dogs or dogs that don’t like collars, try using a dog harness. Dog harnesses can be more comfortable for some pets. They also come in handy when traditional collars and leashes are too big for some of those smaller pups.

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3. Doggy Bags and Dispensers

Another must-have while on the go is doggy bags. It’s not glamorous, but you have to clean up after your dogs when you’re a dog owner or dog walker. It’s just part of the job.

To make your life a little easier, try using a doggy poop bag dispenser.

These dispensers come with clips so you can attach them to your dogs’ leash. When you have a bag dispenser, you’ll always have extra doggy bags in an easy-to-reach spot. They also come in handy if you walk multiple dogs and can’t get both hands free.

There are plenty of different doggy bags that you can choose from for your walks. For an eco-friendly option, you can use biodegradable doggy waste bags. Eco-friendly bags are great for walks because you don’t have to worry if you ever lose a bag, rip one, or forget one somewhere.

Doggy poop bags also come in a variety of sizes. If you only walk small dogs, you can get mini bags. But if you work with bigger dogs, you’ll want to make sure you get bags that can accommodate the larger loads.

When your business starts to grow, having a variety of bags can make your day-to-day much more manageable. You can find a variety of bags at your local pet store, supermarket, or online stores like Amazon.

4. Safety Equipment for Dog Walking

While dog walking is inherently fun, you still need to ensure that you and your pup are safe. One of the most challenging parts of dog walking safety is ensuring your client’s dogs are well trained.

When you’re walking through crowded areas or encounter other dogs, you want to know that your dog is calm. You wouldn’t want to have to deal with an aggressive dog during your walks, and you certainly don’t want to be the person with the aggressive pup.

As a freelance dog walker, this could reflect on you as well. So take the steps you need to help train your dogs.

When you are out walking dogs, you should also take your safety into account. Some safety equipment that you should consider having on your include:

Dog Whistle

If your dog is acting out, a dog whistle can curb its behavior. Dog whistles won’t bother other humans and can quickly calm down a rambunctious pup. Try other behavioral tricks first and use a dog whistle as a last resort.

Dog whistles are also small, making them easy to bring along with you.

Reflective Clothing and Lights

If you tend to walk dogs at night, you should wear reflective clothing. This simple precaution will ensure that you are seen by cars when crossing the street.

You can find reflective workout wear instead of a safety vest for something more comfortable and stylish. You can also attach small lights to your dog’s collar or around your person to help at night.

Share Your Location

When you’re out walking dogs, you may end up in unfamiliar areas. You should consider sending a friend your location or ensuring that your location is turned on on a device while walking dogs.

Certain apps help track your walks. You can even use specific dog walking apps that will track your walks and send information to your dogs’ owners.

5. First Aid Kits

You can create first aid kits for your dogs in case anything happens on your walks. These are particularly good to have if you take dogs on runs or hikes. There are dangers in natural environments like roots and rocks that could hurt your dogs’ paws. So having a first aid kit is a great idea no matter where you walk your pups.

Try going for a small first aid kit that will fit in a small bag or fanny pack. This method makes it more portable and easier to take with you on your walks. If you decide to also pet sit, a first aid kit can come in handy if your client’s dog ever injures themselves in the house.

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6. Water Bowls

Bring along a water bowl that doesn’t take up a ton of space. For something very compact, try using a collapsible dog bowl. These bowls will push down to be flat so that you can fit them in bags or pockets.

You can also find small bowls that fit in fanny packs. If you’re looking for something more portable, you can even find water bowls with clips to attach to your leash or belt loop.

7. Fanny Pack

Having a hand free can make a huge difference in your dog walking experience. For example, you may have to hold a leash while tending to your dog. Or maybe you need to hold a water bottle or phone while holding a leash in the other hand.

A fanny pack can keep everything you need on a walk together while keeping a hand free to pick up after your dog.

You can use a dedicated fanny pack for your dog walking business and fit everything you need. Your pack can be your go-to place for extra leashes, a first aid kit, water bowls, and whatever else you need when you’re out and about. Fanny packs also come in various styles these days, so you can find one that fits your fashion sense.

8. Carabiners

Carabiners are a tool that can keep you organized on your walks. If you have a lot of things with you that don’t fit in your fanny pack, you can use carabiners. You can attach carabiners to belt loops, leashes, and fanny packs. If your bag dispenser or water bowls don’t already come with a clip, you can use a carabiner instead.

Carabiners can come in handy if you want to make something easily accessible while walking dogs. They will come in handy primarily for doggy bag dispensers and keep your hands free whenever you need them.

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9. Dog Treats

To finish your walk on a high note, bring some treats! You can use these goodies to help train stubborn dogs or reward the best dog that did great on their walk.

Make sure you check in with the owner before feeding your dog treats. If you also offer pet care or pet sitting services, you should have dog treats on you.

You should also be on the lookout for organic treats that can keep your dogs happy and healthy.

Bonus: Your Benefits

As a freelance dog walker, you don’t have the same benefits as someone that works a conventional office job. This doesn’t mean you can’t find great benefits to keep yourself covered, though.

Keep yourself safe as a freelance dog walker by using Selfgood. Your monthly membership can save you hundreds of dollars on health and wellness, financial and legal, and everyday benefits, too.

With many affordable options, you can keep yourself healthy and always be there for your furry friends. Dog walking is an active job, so prioritizing your wellness will only enhance your freelance dog walking business.

Conclusion

Having a dog walking business is a rewarding job. Not only do you get to exercise and enjoy nature, but you get to do it with some fuzzy friends by your side. When you pick up the right dog walker equipment, you take it up a level.

Owning a dog walking business is just like owning any other small business, which means you need to take steps to run it successfully. You can’t walk all of your dogs if you aren’t 100%.

As a freelancer, you have to make sure you protect yourself and your business. Take advantage of affordable benefits by joining Selfgood today.