Dog walking kit checklist
Built around the walks that go wrong: the dog that finds something disgusting, the sudden rain, the recall that needs a better offer than kibble behind it.
14 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- LeadCheck the clip before you leave, not when a car goes past.
- Poo bags×3A spare roll in the bag, not just the one on the lead.
- Water and a travel bowlEspecially in heat — dogs can't sweat their way out of overheating like we can.
- Treats for recallThe good ones, saved for outside. A distraction needs a better offer than kibble.
- Harness or collar with an ID tagLegally required in the UK even on top of a microchip.
- Torch or a light-up collar attachmentFor the walk that starts on time and ends after the sun does.
- TowelFor the dog that finds the one muddy puddle in an otherwise dry park.
- Spare lead or a long lineFor training recall somewhere it isn't safe to go fully off-lead yet.
- Tick removerCarry it rather than needing to search for how at 6pm in a field.
- Muzzle, if they wear oneNot a punishment — some dogs are required to by a court, others just need a vet visit to go smoother.
- Coat, in the cold or the wetShort-haired and older dogs lose heat fast. A coat isn't fussy, it's practical.
- PhoneFor a recall app, the vet's number, and proof of where they were if a walk goes wrong.
- Poo bag holder or a dedicated pocketSo a full bag doesn't end up loose in with everything else.
- Hand sanitiser or wipes for after
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- How many poo bags should I carry?
- More than you think you'll need. A spare roll costs nothing, and a dog with an upset stomach doesn't wait for the nearest bin.
- Do I need a torch for a normal walk?
- Only if there's any chance the walk runs past dusk. A dog off the lead in the dark near a road is exactly the situation this list exists to prevent.
- What if my dog isn't reliable off the lead yet?
- Bring a long line instead of trusting a call — it gives the same freedom to sniff around without the risk, while recall is still being trained.