Table of Contents
About Me
My name is Lachie. I have worked as a professional dog walker and share my home with two retrievers, Archie and Link.
I have been around dogs my whole life, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. The practical lessons here come from paid walks, forgotten leads, strong pullers and the everyday problem of carrying supplies while keeping both hands available. I have also written about how I started dog walking.
This is the equipment I found genuinely useful, not a checklist every owner must buy. Start with a comfortable spare lead, poo bags and a hands-free treat bag; add a long line or clicker only when the walk or training plan calls for it. You can see some of the dogs I walk on Instagram.
The five items I keep reaching for
The five useful categories are spare leads, a long line for controlled training, a treat bag, dependable poo bags and a few small handling tools such as carabiners or a clicker.
Professional walkers will get the most value from redundancy and quick access. Casual owners can keep the kit smaller and choose only what suits their dog, route and training approach.
Dog Leashes
As a professional dog walker, why am I recommending dog leashes? Every owner has a leash of their own right. Correct! However, when you arrive at the client’s house, the leash may have been moved from its place.
For example, you access the client’s home from the backyard, and they walked their pet earlier that day and forgot to put the leash outside for you.
You would be surprised how many times this has happened to me! Traveling home to pick up your spare leash can be frustrating, wasting time and petrol.
Other times the dog may chew the lead up with boredom or anxiety-type behaviors, or the owners have a cheap leash that puts a lot of stress on your hand or body if the dog is strong and pulls hard on the leash.
So, this is why I always recommend having some spare leads on you. It will allow you to be prepared in case of a missing or damaged leash, and you will have comfort and peace of mind using your preferred comfortable leash.
Keep one or two spares in your car and reuse your favorite on each dog walk without switching to random dog leashes for each dog you walk.
Below I cover three types of leads I recommend from my experience as a professional dog walker with years of experience.
Regular Dog Leash
Avoid these types of dog leashes!
I am looking for comfort and a good length for my leash.
I am avoiding:
- Bungee-style leashes that allow stretch or spring; I want responsiveness from the dog I am walking.
- Extendable Dog Leashes are challenging to control and tend to have a thin, flimsy leash.
These spring leash appeals to dog owners that have dogs that constantly pull on walks, but it just gives you less control and encourages the dog to pull more.
6 Foot Dog Leash
I want a leash that is a bit longer than a regular leash so the dog can sniff and get enrichment from smells. I can shorten the leash quickly when I want the dog in a heel position.
A 6-foot dog leash is an ideal length to achieve the desired walking style I prefer and recommend for other dog walkers.
I recommend the FunTags 6FT Reflective Dog Leash with Soft Padded Handle on Amazon; it has everything I described and is reflective, which is great for safety as many dogs walk, I do early morning or late evening.
This article contains affiliate links throughout the article I am not linked to any of these products, but I may make a small commission from sales.
Alternative Regular Dog Leash
The difference between these leads is that they have a loop halfway down the lead. This can be a great help if you are walking a strong dog that pulls when you need the dog under control.
When walking a large breed dog and encountering another dog you may not be familiar with, having this option to control your dog in a pinch is valuable. I recommend this PuppyDoggy Leash 1.8M on Amazon.
Long Leash Recall Training Leash
This leash is an optional extra. I offer dog training as part of my dog walking service, and this leash is essential for dog training, especially training recall for dogs. These leashes usually are 3 meters or longer and allow the dog to roam under your control.
I find it helpful to take the dog to a dog-friendly park, allow it to wander at the max length of the lead, and call the dog to recall at random intervals, rewarding it with a treat.
Overall, a long leash dog leash can be a valuable tool for professional dog walkers and owners who want to give their dogs more freedom while maintaining control and keeping them safe.
I recommend full supervision while using these long leashes as they can be damaged from dogs chewing the leash and cause rope burns if the dog unexpectedly bolts.
I recommend the Viper V36150-1 Biothane Working Tracking Lead Leash Long Line on Amazon; the bio thane is less likely to cause rope burn; however, if you have a puppy that chews, you might want to avoid this leash.
Dog Treat Training Bags
A dog bag, dog pouch, or treat bag is essential for every professional dog walker! Dog bags allow you to carry all the dog walking equipment you need without filling your pockets and simultaneously have your hands free for dog walking.
Dog Treat Bag
Lightweight treat bag great for positive reinforcement training. I will use a bag like this for when I’m not going far, or if I am training dogs around the home, it makes it very easy to mark behaviors you want to reinforce. The behavior I would be looking for while using this bag would be encouraging eye contact. I will say yes and quickly grab a treat from my treat bag on my hip.
These dog treat bags also look nicer than larger options being small, lightweight, and more discrete.
I recommend this Dog Treats Training Pouch with Clip Waist on Amazon.
Medium Dog Treat Bag and Multipurpose Bag
This is my daily go-to dog bag. I will make sure to have this bag everywhere with me. For dog walks, if I am doing home visits or overnight stays with a client’s dog. It has everything I need at arm’s reach and is a must-have dog walking equipment to be a successful professional dog walker. If you can only get one dog walking bag from this list, I recommend this Paw Lifestyle Bag on Amazon. There are only 2 in stock when writing this, so get in quick.
Large Dog Bag
As a professional dog walker, it’s crucial to have a well-stocked dog bag that can accommodate all the essential items you might need while out with your furry clients. A large dog travel-style bag can be a convenient and practical solution, allowing you to have all your dog walking essentials in one place.
Here are some of the extra dog accessories that you might consider keeping in your dog bag:
- Spare Dog Leashes: Spare leashes in your dog bag can be a lifesaver if one of your leashes gets lost or breaks during a walk.
- Dog Collars: Similarly, carrying a few extra dog collars can be helpful if a client’s collar gets damaged or needs to be switched out for any reason.
- Poo Bags: Being a responsible dog walker and cleaning up after your furry clients is essential.
- Treats and Kibble: Having treats ready to go for stubborn dogs in.
- Water: Keeping dogs hydrated is crucial during walks, especially on hot days.
- Dog Brush: Depending on the breed of the dog you’re walking, you may need to bring a dog brush along to help manage shedding, tangles, and grass seeds.
- Wet Wipes: Wet wipes can be a handy tool in your dog bag to help clean up any messes that may occur during walks.
- Towels: Bringing a few towels along in your dog bag can help dry off your furry clients if they get wet or for wiping off muddy paws before getting back into the car.
By having a well-stocked dog bag, you can ensure that you’re always prepared for any situation that may occur during your walks dog walks. It can also help you be a more organized and efficient dog walker, allowing you to focus on providing the best care for your client’s pets.
I recommend the Modoker Dog Travel Bag Weekend Pet Travel Set on Amazon; it has space for everything I listed and much more. Great for day trips to the beach or traveling with your pet. Knowing you have everything you need for your pet is great for your peace of mind.
Dog Poo Bags
An absolute necessity for every dog walk! I recommend having them stored everywhere. There is absolutely nothing worse than running out or forgetting them. Most dogs love to do their business during a walk, and as a professional dog walker, you must be picking them up. I recommend these Earth Rated on Amazon; the bags are large and thick enough that you will not have to worry about accidents.
Carabiner clips
Carabiner clips have to be one of the most underrated dog walking equipment that is rarely discussed. But if you look at many experienced professional dog walkers using them, I recommend a rock-climbing-rated carabiner.
Rock climbing carabiners are stronger and safer than non-rock-climbing-rated carabiners. I have used both, and the cheap carabiners are very unsafe due to the weakness of their build and the poorly designed latching mechanism.
I recommend the Certified 25KN Auto Locking Climbing Carabiner Clips on Amazon.
Dog Clicker
Sometimes I get sick of calling out a dog’s name. A dog clicker is a great option when you feel you are losing your voice! A dog clicker can be a helpful tool for professional dog walkers, especially if you offer training services for dogs you are walking.
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement method that can teach dogs new behaviors and strengthen the bond between you and the dogs you walk. Here is a clicker on Amazon I recommend.
What I would buy first
If I were rebuilding the kit from scratch, I would buy a comfortable six-foot lead, a spare lead, sturdy poo bags and a treat pouch first.
A long line is useful for controlled recall work, but it is not an everyday lead. A clicker is optional and only helps when the handler uses it consistently with an appropriate reward. Carabiners are convenient for carrying gear; they do not replace a leash attachment designed and rated for the dog.
Comfort and reliability matter more than buying the largest bag or the most accessories. Test new equipment on a quiet route before relying on it with a client’s dog.
Keep the kit simple, replace worn gear early and restock the poo bags before you need them.
For the business side, read how I started dog walking with Pawshake.