Are you that person? You know who you are – the one who’s walking down the street, feels a pull at the leash and looks behind you to see your dog is doing his business in the middle of the sidewalk. All you have in your hand is a cup of coffee. Keep the following 15 items in a handy bag ready to go on every outing and you will never be that person again.
#1 – Poop Bags
Always have extra. Wouldn’t it be nice to help out if you come across another dog owner who forgot theirs?
#2 – Hand Sanitizer
Because you just picked up your dog’s poop, right? Makes sense to keep this handy.
#3 – Bandages
It’s a good idea to have some bandages with you, in case something happens to you or your dog. You can at least wrap the bandage enough to help catch the blood until you can get to the vet or doctor’s. You can also buy liquid bandage.
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#4 – Treats
One should always be prepared. Treats can help if your dog gets away from you and won’t come; another dog is running at you and you want to distract him (throw the treats behind the oncoming dog); there is a stray you want to try and coax into coming with you, etc.
#5 – Dog Booties
Keeping even just one bootie in your bag is a good idea. Why? If you walk anywhere where there are people, there may be things like broken glass that could cut your dog’s foot. If you have a pug, you can carry him back to the car or your house should he rip his pad. But if you have a big dog, you are going to wish you had a way to bandage and cover that paw for the walk home.
#6 – Direct Stop
This is a handy thing to have if you encounter a feral or stray dog that attacks yours. It can stop the dog long enough for you to get your dog out of the way or call for help.
#7 – Extra Leash
This is a good idea for two reasons: your dog’s leash breaks or if you find a stray with a collar on you have a way of handling him.
#8 – Grooming Wipes
These are a good thing to carry to clean up messes, like if your dog was sick in the car or his hind-end is dirty after going to the bathroom. It’s also great for cleaning mud off paws before you return to the car or go into a dog friendly store.
#9 – Lint Roller
This is nice to have on hand if you are meeting people for coffee or dinner at a dog friendly restaurant. It’s also a nice gesture if your dog gets a bit too friendly with a stranger he meets – you can offer them the use of your lint roller before you continue on your walk.
#10 – Flashlight
It’s always good to take one of these with you – what if your walk runs longer than you expects and it’s now dark out? You can also use it to get a better look if your dog gets injured.
#11 – Snack
You have treats for the dog – what about you? It’s a good idea to keep a snack on hand, in case your get stranded somewhere. (Unless you want to share your dog’s liver treats!)
#12 – Allergy Information
Is your dog allergic to anything? Specifically medications? It’s a good idea to keep a list with you so that if an emergency does happen, you can immediately tell whoever is taking care of your dog what he cannot have. After all, he may end up at an e-vet that doesn’t have his records.
Toledo, United States.
