Among all the products dedicated to dogs, you will find a number of essentials, but also additional ones to take on a walk with your pooch. You can not do without a leash or harness, muzzle, as well as a collar. This is actually everyday equipment, but is it necessary for a walk…. clothes? Or do you need to lug a bag of toys with you so your dog doesn’t get bored? Let’s check out what comes in handy and when, and what you can’t go out without even for a short walk.
Also check out what to do when your dog eats grass.
Collar, leash, harness
A collar and a leash or harness are essential accessories when walking any dog. Even the calmest and most well-adjusted pet, can simply have a worse day. Other times he will be provoked by an aggressive dog, bigger or even smaller than him. You can’t be sure that your pooch will always walk by the leg, because his temper can come out when least expected.
Both types of accessories ensure the safety of the dog and other people and animals in the environment. Collars must be selected according to the size of the dog. For small dogs, narrower and slightly looser ones are better suited, while large breeds need to get a wide and sturdy collar. Regardless of the size of the dog, the collar must not put pressure, but it should not be too loose either. Products made of natural materials, such as leather, work well, although they are most often used by owners of large breeds.
Dog on a walk – everything he needs.
For the owner and the four-legged dog, a practical solution is harnesses. When choosing them, we take into account again the size of the dog, but also its temperament, the way it behaves. Small dogs will not always like the leash, so harnesses are a good solution. With a pet that likes to lash out and is restless, pulling the harness will not cause the thin material to dig into the neck. The larger the dog, the wider the harnesses should be so that they do not pinch the pooch. In addition, what matters is that they are easy to put on and take off.
Finally, there are the leashes, which can be purchased in classic or automatic versions. We analyze the needs of your pet, once again keeping in mind the weight of the dog and its temperament, because the final choice will depend on this.
Dogs who like to run up every tree, need an automatic leash, which has the ability to stretch the string to a certain length, but also to lock by the owner. It works best for small and medium-sized breeds. Classic leashes are more durable, so they will be a good choice for dogs that pull and walk uncertainly at the leg. At the same time, they should be adjustable. Those without adjustability are sufficient for pets that have no problems walking at the leg and do not pull.
Useful accessories for your dog
In the category of products that are not indispensable, but certainly practical and useful, we find, among other things, an address tag. Attached to the collar, the address tag, having the form of, for example, a metal plate with the owner’s data engraved on it, allows a pet that has escaped or got lost to be found much faster. The dog will also not be taken for a stray, and people who find it will find it much easier to contact the owner.
Let’s return to the collar for a moment. If you often walk with your pooch after dark and let him off the leash, you can get him a reflective or led collar, so he will be visible from a distance, and this will greatly increase the safety of the four-legged walker.
Dogs that do not necessarily like company, or are after surgery and need more space for themselves and peace and quiet, should have a yellow bow attached to their collar. This is a sign to others not to disturb the pet’s walk.
A muzzle is not a mandatory item, except for travel on transportation, but it can come in handy during walks. There are a variety of designs to choose from, plastic, webbing, as well as metal. They should be selected according to the needs of the pet, taking into account the fact that it must be comfortable, it should have the freedom to breathe, to yawn, and the muzzle is not to be an additional stress element for it.
Toys and gadgets for your dog
Dogs love physical activity, at any age. However, it is the age, but also the state of health that affects how much effort they will put into playing. It’s a good idea to bring a ball, a tug-of-war rope or a frisbee for a walk, if our pooch is lively and we want to engage in play with him.
For pets that are older or in worse physical condition, you can take toys in which treats are placed, so that the dog has the opportunity to move around a bit, but not to put in an effort that will paradoxically harm him.
Walking with a dog is first and foremost time spent outdoors, with a beloved owner. Let’s make sure that it is enjoyable, but also safe for our pet.
