Dog Walking Gear By Nayanthara & Nalaka Daundaratne
1. Suitable Activewear
You are getting into a super active outdoor job expecting to face all weather conditions. You will have to walk in rain, sow and burning sun. Also, in all terrains from flat parks to hiking mountain trails. So, make sure you have the right clothing relevant to each condition. Look for quality activewear that are on sale that are compatible for each season. Learn to layer properly and get lightest materials that will still do the job in handling harsh weather conditions. For colder weather conditions see if you can find winter running suits that are on sale around end of fall or winter. Always select clothing that are comfortable and won’t restrict your movement. As you grow your dog walking business and start profiting, consider owning at least few sets of high-end activewear that you can use throughout the year accordingly.
Nayanthara & Nalaka Daundaratne
2. Right Shoes for Dog Walking
Shoes are the most important part of your attire that can either make you break or win the game of dog walking. Especially, if you already have food issues. Get pair of good running or hiking shoes. For winter, preferably find spiked shoes that are made to run on icy roads. Footwears being waterproof is another requirement due to the variety of the terrains and weathers that you might have to walk your dogs in. We also suggest looking for padded insoles for more comfort and safety to prevent probable foot health issues as you will be walking and standing for extended periods. Especially, if you are someone with few extra pounds for your height. Additionally, if this is your primary job, consider getting few pairs of good hiking socks. They can give you extra protection to your feet. Some of them are made of certain materials that slows the growth of microorganism that will allow you to wear many times without wanting to wash daily.
3. Backpack and Luggage
There are several essential things that you must carry to your work as a dog walker or a per sitter. You will need to have access to first-aid kit, water, collapsible water bowls, poop bags, scooper, dog food, pet toys, dog treats, chemical cleaning products, extra leashes, extra shoes for certain terrains and weather, and many more things. Since you will mostly be spending outside, and your hands are pretty much engaged with taking care of your dog(s) it’s important that you find easy ways to always carry necessitates.
If you are driving to your clients, work on arranging a storage luggage or a custom compartment in your boot of the vehicle to transport all what you need. If you commute by foot or public transportation, consider preparing a compact backpack with the most essential supplies for the specific dog walking jobs for the day. In fact, a lightweight medium sized hiking backpack is ideal to have with you despite how you travel as you will always need your essentials when you are walking dogs.
Other Accessories for Dog Walking
Car Dog Barrier
If you are planning to transport your dog clients in your vehicle, there are several modifications that you might have to do to your car or SUV. We highly recommend installing an appropriate car dog barrier to prevent possible but rare incidence of pet becoming restless and reaching the driver’s compartment. Especially, if you are panning to transport few pets for any distance in your work vehicle.
Puppy Training Pads
Then, make sure you insulate your rear seats, or the area designated for your dog clients appropriately with dog training pads or specifically made ones for car seats or vehicles. Remember, there can be accidental wetting buy your dogs due to number or reason and preventing the absorption to materials of your vehicle is much easier that cleaning afterwards. If you can’t afford commercially made or custom-made accessories, simply get few disposable puppy training pads from your local grocery store and place them as an underlayer of any cloth material that you can place over your seats.
Pet Cleaning Supplies
There will be many unexpected instances that you will have to clean floors, carpets, sofas, and your vehicle due to wetting, spilling, drooling and several other things. For example, when you are working on a pet sitting session at your client’s place, as a professional sitter, its your responsibility to clean certain messes that the pets are making on your watch. While this is not always part of your assigned job, it will surely show your high standards as a professional dog walker that will directly impact on your number of satisfies clients and there by a steadily growing market. Therefore, always carry pet cleaning supplies in your supply’s luggage. Since the safety of everybody including your human and pet clients as well as yourself, buy reputed and safety approved chemical products from recognized stores. Also, carry cleaning brushed, scrubbers, and few rolls of paper towels always in your vehicles as we wouldn’t know when they will be useful. By Nalaka Daundaratne