Dog walking accessories for outdoor adventures with your furry friend

Did somebody say walkies?

dog walking accessories

by Rosie Floyd |
Updated on

As every pooch owner knows, walks are an essential part of daily pup ownership and making sure you’re equipped with the best dog walking accessories will ensure you’re prepared for every eventuality. Whether you’re popping out on a stroll around the block, an afternoon at the park or pursuing outdoor adventures further afield, like in a forest or at the beach, making sure you’ve got everything you and your dog need for whatever outdoor activity you’re doing will make it an enjoyable experience all round.

Going out with your fur baby anywhere requires almost as much stuff as a human baby does. Well, maybe we’re exaggerating slightly but it can certainly feel that way. We’ve put together a list of essentials we think you’ll need for almost every walk, but you’ll want to pack your dog walking bag with everything from toys to treats to keep your pup’s tail wagging.

Best dog walking accessories at a glance:

Best dog jacket: REFLECT360 Reflective Waterproof Dog Jacket – View on Mountain Warehouse
Best dog walking jacket: Women's Corinne IV Waterproof Packaway Jacket – View on Regatta
Best dog walking bag: Overland Dog Gear Dog Walking Backpack – View on Amazon UK

Let’s not forget about us owners, either. Of course, our first priority is ensuring our dogs have everything they need, but what about things to make the walk more enjoyable for us? For example, getting caught in a downpour and then spending the rest of the walk completely drenched is not so fun. We all know that the great British weather leans more towards having wet walks than dry ones so heading out with a good-quality walking coat and maybe some dog walking boots would be a good idea.

In our round-up of the best dog walking accessories, we’ve thought about everything you and your pooch may need when exploring outdoors. That’s why you’ll find everything from poop bags to dog GPS trackers in this list so you can be ready to tackle whatever the great outdoors throws at you and your pup.

Best dog walking accessories

Best dog jacket

REFLECT360 Reflective Waterproof Dog JacketProviz Sports/Mountain Warehouse

A game-changer when it comes to visibility on wet walks, the REFLECT360 Reflective Waterproof Dog Jacket is made with 100 per cent reflective material and it's waterproof, so it's perfect for those dark, drizzly walks and gloomy evenings. During the day, it has a sleek grey look, but when the sun sets and a light source, such as car headlights or a touch, hits, it turns reflective to keep your pup seen and shining bright.

Pros

  • Super reflective
  • Adjustable neck and chest strap
  • Harness attachment hole

Cons

  • No customer reviews

Best dog walking jacket

Women's Corinne IV Waterproof Packaway JacketRegatta
Price: £27.95 (was £70)

www.regatta.com

We all know that the great British weather can be unpredictable at times so having a jacket that you can stash in your dog walking bag in case you need it will be ideal. The lightweight Women's Corinne IV Waterproof Packaway Jacket from Regatta packs away into its own pocket for ease of carrying. To protect you from the elements, it has a durable water-repellent finish and has taped seams to further enhance the waterproof protection. Available in 35 colours in sizes UK 8-26, there's a jacket in this style for every dog owner.

Pros

  • Vast choice of colours
  • Lightweight and packs away into a pocket
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Reviewers say sizing runs small so you may want to size up

Best dog walking bag

Overland Dog Gear Dog Walking BackpackOverland Dog Gear/Amazon UK

Rrp: $89.99

Price: $69.99
Alternative retailers
Kohl's$55.99View offer
Wayfair$65.24View offer
Petco$69.99View offer
Tractor Supply$99.99View offer

Whether you're heading out for a long walk or going with your dog somewhere further afield for a staycation, the Overland Dog Gear Dog Walking Backpack has plenty of room so you can pack everything you need. With its array of pockets, you can easily stash all your dog's essentials in one convenient bag. Plus, it comes complete with two silicone bowls and a handy placemat for hydrating and feeding on the go. Made from heavy-duty polyester, it's resistant to tearing and ripping and it's quilted to give it added style points.

Customer review: "Great product for longer trips with my pooch. Everything fits nice and compact and it is comfortable to wear."

Pros

  • Made of heavy-duty materials
  • Plenty of storage pockets
  • Comes with feeding/drinking bowls

Cons

  • Might be on the larger side for a stroll around the block

Best waterproof dog walking boots

Adventurer Women's Waterproof Walking BootsMountain Warehouse
Price: £42.99 (was £69.99)

www.mountainwarehouse.com

Perfect for those who love to explore the outdoors with their pooch in all weathers, the Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Women's Waterproof Walking Boots are designed for all your adventures together, from leisurely strolls to hikes. Featuring a water-resistant upper and waterproof membrane, they'll keep your feet dry while the cushioned footbed ensures comfort and support no matter how long your dog's walk is. With deep lugs for traction and a mesh lining for breathability, these boots have you covered for any terrain.

Customer review: "I have taken these on some muddy walks and so far they have been waterproof. They feel very sturdy."

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Cushioned footbed for added support
  • Choice of colours available

Cons

  • Reviewers say they were a bit hard around the ankle at first

Best dog GPS tracker

Tractive GPS Dog 4Tractive/Amazon UK

Rrp: $49.99

Price: $34.99

redirect.viglink.com

Are you in search of a reliable solution to keep tabs on your furry friend? Look no further than Tractive, a renowned name in the realm of pet tracking technology. With its real-time tracking feature and unlimited range, you can monitor your pet's whereabouts effortlessly. What's more, Tractive boasts advanced functionalities such as location history and activity tracking, giving you valuable insights into your pet's movements and well-being. Plus, you can define safe zones and receive instant alerts if your pet strays beyond them.

Customer review: "Some dogs will leave up to several hours before coming back - like my Springer. But my life of calling and whistling for hours sick with anxiety is finished because I always know where she is to go and get her. Always. Even when travelling. I have had Tractive devices for 4 years now and I would not do without anymore."

Pros

  • Unlimited range
  • Location history
  • Activity tracking

Cons

  • Some reviewers felt the battery life could be better

Best dog walking water bottle/bowl

Absobu Dog Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle and BowlAbsorbu Dog/Amazon UK

Rrp: $34.99

Price: $24.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$34.99View offer
Wayfair$34.99View offer

Perfect for water and food stops on outdoor adventures, the Absobu Dog Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle and Bowl features a detachable bowl for eating and drinking on the move. It comes with a leakproof screw-top lid and easy-to-carry handle to make it ideal for walks and hikes with your pooch in tow. With vacuum-insulated, copper-lined walls, it offers superior thermal insulation and temperature retention plus the bowl has an anti-slip base for added stability. Available in a range of stylish colours including black, blue, burgundy, midnight marble, pink, and white.

Customer review: "We take our dog on long walks and this bottle has been a Godsend! It keeps the water cool in the heat and we get to stop and take rest/drink breaks a lot more often with this. The bottom is large enough that the dog drinks easily and the top seals securely. WAY better than the methods of bringing along water and a bowl we had been trying."

Pros

  • Keeps water at a constant temperature
  • Detachable dog bowl with anti-slip base
  • Vacuum insulated

Cons

  • Heavy

Best biodegradable dog poop bags

Greener Walker Poo BagsGreener Walker/Amazon UK

Having a stash of poop bags ready to take with you on your walk is a must-have for any dog owner and thanks to this bulk-buy of Greener Walker Poo Bags, you won't run out for a long time. Made from corn starch, they're way friendlier to the environment than regular poo bags and with 540 included for the price, you'll always be prepared while saving money and helping the planet too.

Customer review: "Very strong and a really good size. Easy to use and tie up too, even with woolly gloves on!! The fact that they are biodegradable is also very good. I bought others from a well known retailer and they weren’t as good a quality as these. Great value too!!"

Pros

  • Large amount of bags per roll and pack
  • Fit most poop bag dispensers
  • Value for money bulk buy

Cons

  • Not scented

Best dog whistle

SimplyNatural Dog WhistleSimplyNatural/Amazon UK

When you need to get your pup's attention on their walk, you may want to bring this SimplyNatural Dog Whistle with you. It's built to last with a durable copper core, giving it a wider frequency range and you can also adjust the frequency so you can fine-tune it to suit your pooch's breed perfectly. As it comes with a lanyard, you can wear it around your neck to ensure you never lose it while the protective cover keeps it clean and hygienic. When you're not out on a walk, you can use it to teach recall, train your dog to reduce their barking and help them learn tricks.

Customer review: "Great Whistle. Has helped with our 2 dogs on their recall. I ordered 2 to begin with to see if they worked, then ordered another 3 so the whole family could have 1. They arrived on time. Very pleased."

Pros

  • Adjustable frequency
  • Wide range
  • Durable materials

Cons

  • Some reviewers found their dog didn't response well to the whistle

What are essential accessories for dog walking?

If you’re an experienced dog owner, you probably have a good idea of what your dog will want on a walk, but you never know when you might need something else. Here’s a list of what we think are essential dog walking accessories to take on a walk for both you and your pooch.

• Lead and harness
• A collar with an identification tag
Dog poop bags
• Travel water bottle and food bowl
• Treats and snacks for you both
• A ball for fetch
Waterproof dog coat (for wet walkies)
• Mobile phone
• Money/bank card

How long should I walk my dog for?

Every dog should have at least one walk a day, but the duration of your dog walk will depend on a couple of factors, including your dog’s breed and size, age, health and overall energy levels.

Larger, more active breeds may need more than two hours of exercise per day so could do with a longer walk, whereas smaller, less active breeds may need shorter strolls.

Senior dogs may not be able to walk as far as they used to so they may need to slow down as they enter their twilight years wherever you will need to gradually build up the duration of a puppy's walk while they get used to being on a lead.

Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.

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